Originally posted by Piano World:
Slow.
I think we need someone to promote it on Oprah or Letterman:-)
Where's all our marketing geniuses?
Well, I may not be the best pianist here. *sniff* Ok, I'm not, guaranteed. And I didn't even join in time to submit for the CD...though I imagine the quality is top-notch, and I may not even have a place on the CD.
Either way, *points to self* marketing. And I usually charge for my consulting services, but since the proceeds from the CD go to saving music, and it all seems to be a non-profit venture, I'm more-inclined to be charitable.
Of course, I'd have to be in touch with someone close to the project to give a comprehensive evaluation, but here are a few quick free tips:
1. Word of mouth will benefit you immensely. You need all the forum members to recommend the cd to their friends, co-workers, etc. But this is not enough. The CD has to be available somewhere for them to order it. Advertise it on Ebay, Amazon, etc.
2. If anyone has a connection to local concert halls, get them to stock the CD in their gift shops. The same goes for bookstores, Tower Records, local mom&pop music stores, even sheet music stores that sell CDs.
3. IF they're willing, get in touch with Elena and Laura (the Duo Scarbo--you'll have to change the name on the CD, or add an extra note), and see if they'll help promote the CD. If anything, a note on their website will certainly help-- a link to an Amazon or Ebay purchase website, or even PianoWorld's own purchase site, though it'd need to be revamped slightly to reflect a purchase order instead of an advertisement. Have a brief note: "We recently contributed to a wonderful charity CD that is donating proceeds to the Save the Music Foundation. To listen to excerpts/purchase this CD and support the Save the Music Foundation, click 'here'."
Many people are willing to support non-profits even if they don't want the CD.
If the recording of the Duo Scarbo's performance is good, it will also help promote them. Think of the CD like a connection, an intersection of silk strings in a spider web. The more connections you have, the larger the web. The large the web, the easier it is to catch flies.
4. Advertise in playbills, campus newspapers (probably best-served at music schools, or advertising in the music departments of schools), newsletters that serve the classical community.
5. Get the organization involved to whom you are donating proceeds. They should be very willing to help--especially because they'll be reaping the benefits (cash...which is just as good as money). They have a larger web than you...and perhaps someone who's not devoted to classical music, but likes to donate to charities, might purchase the CD to 'do something good'. Who knows--you may just start them on the road towards appreciating what it is all of us love in classical music.
Well, that's a quick five bullets. Took about 10 minutes or so to type it all...maybe 30 seconds thinking about it. If you want more, you know how to reach me. Good luck with it. Like piano, there's no short road to success. Success takes time and effort.