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Promotional releases vs promotional media
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Basilisk
IsraTrance Full Member
Started Topics :
168
Posts :
2984
Posted : Jan 24, 2010 20:21:24
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Recently the mod team appears to have reversed a long-standing decision to allow me to promote official Ektoplazm releases in the "promotional releases" forum. Instead, Ektoplazm releases are relegated to the "promotional media" forum.
First, let me clearly define why I would rather post to promotional releases rather than promotional media:
1) Promotional releases has more traffic; it is a busier forum.
2) There is a promotional releases RSS feed; it is syndicated on other sites.
3) Quality. I aim for Ektoplazm releases to be every bit as good (and sometimes better) than those of strictly commercial labels. I feel this should be recognized.
While some mods are sympathetic to this I have recently received a PM explaining why many of my more recent promotional posts have been moved from releases to media. I will try to summarize the objections and provide my own interpretation.
The promotional releases forum is only for commercial releases available by distribution.
So this forum is only open to labels that sell recordings and distribute via Arabesque, Psyshop, etc.? No independent releases allowed? This seems to be a bit draconian and out of touch with the present reality of the marketplace.
It doesn't matter that all Ektoplazm releases are also sold on CD; obviously the aim of the label is to give the music away for free.
So labels must have a profit motive now? I have very good reasons for producing (and charging money for) CDs. Physical media is the best thing to have available in a real-world context: at parties, at the shops, etc. In the digital realm it is free that reigns supreme. It costs me nothing to "produce" 1,000 vs 10,000 copies of a release so why should I enforce payment from listeners? Just because other labels use this business model?
Ektoplazm promotional posts link to a page where you can download the music for free, not purchase it.
There is a "buy it on CD" link on every post. Just as a commercial listing will link to sound samples and information about the release (and not a shopping cart check out) so do mine.
The promotional releases area is not for labels that are "self-distributed."
I'm sure if you look around you will find plenty of independent labels releasing CDs and promoting them on Isratrance. Besides, the term "self-distributed" is used as if this is small-time business. As near as I can tell, Ektoplazm is probably moving as many units as Beatport, Juno, or Cytopia (maybe all three combined). Do the math! Ektoplazm has served 4,174 releases in the last 24 hours alone. Assuming an average of 5 tracks per releases that's roughly 20,000 songs a day, or ~2,000 CDs. Does anyone seriously think the major psytrance distributors are moving this sort of volume?
Other netlabels post free releases in the promotional media forum.
Sure enough, but Ektoplazm is dedicated to raising the quality standard of free music. This is why I am fighting for equal representation on Isratrance. Granted, not every free release meets the quality standards established by the commercial labels. If I had my way, there would be a very specific set of criteria under which free releases would be allowed in the promotional releases forum. Sooner or later Isratrance will have to get with the times and recognize that some netlabel owners are truly dedicated and their products are of a comparable quality to commercial offerings.
The last suggestion I received was to post links to the CD for sale and then wait some time before posting links to free download. It's like I need to prove that I want to profit from the sale of recordings to gain access. This is absurd and completely contradicts the Ektoplazm label concept!
My final point is simply that I don't want my posts lumped in with all the miscellaneous stuff posted to promotional media. Not to disrespect any other Isratrance members, but it is generally a dumping ground for all sorts of random info whereas promotional releases is dedicated to serious content--which is exactly where Ektoplazm releases (and other professional free releases) belong. |
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Psynthex
IsraTrance Junior Member
Started Topics :
41
Posts :
677
Posted : Jan 24, 2010 21:53
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Hey,
Copy pasted:
In my opinion every free release goes too Promotional media section. nevermind if you have been selling it.. your topic is listed as AVALIABLE FOR FREE DOWNLOAD! In that section ( recording by the rules ) should go only releases which you may buy them..and that should be written on the top of the start of the topic aswell... with the link where you can buy them. You have only provided a link where and which format you can DOWNLOAD ( and you even gave a link where to DL ). You may provide that link in the topic. But primary thing of Promotional releases section is for RELEASES YOU MAY BUY by DISTRIBUTION! You are obviously a self distribution. But those 2 topics have been made with one reason and one reason only: DOWNLOAD A FREE EKTOPLASM CD FOR FREE! So... you should do as every label is doing - to post it into Promotional Media!
you may also check how other labels are doing ( eventough if they have a green label status ):
- http://forum.isratrance.com/free-ep-from-up-records-hypnagog-aka-terrafractyl/
- http://forum.isratrance.com/sanaton-audio-trips-5/
- http://forum.isratrance.com/v-a-buffoon-2-release-psmrec003-link-updated/
and looots of those!
If i can make a suggestion. Next time, make a topic for your release in promotional Releases section ( a thread where you can buy the release ) than after a while post a DL topic aswell in the same topic. In that case you wouldnt do nothing wrong!
and one more thing amici:
Who said those things???
- The promotional releases forum is only for commercial releases available by distribution.
- The promotional releases area is not for labels that are "self-distributed."
And why do you think that you are better from the others? Why you want to be infront and not equal? why do you think that you have quality stuff??? Just because you are not listening to commercial full on??
and one more thing which gets me really  :
1) Promotional releases has more traffic; it is a busier forum.
Rules are rules!
2) There is a promotional releases RSS feed; it is syndicated on other sites.
you amy promote it by providing links anyhow!
3) Quality. I aim for Ektoplazm releases to be every bit as good (and sometimes better) than those of strictly commercial labels. I feel this should be recognized.
Thats what people decides right!
Cheers mate
 Psynthex [ Vertikal Records ]
http://www.myspace.com/psynthex
Minniq [ Parked Below Records ]
Frequent Pill [ Ultimae Records ] |
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Lycantrop Records
Lycantrop Records
Started Topics :
14
Posts :
188
Posted : Jan 24, 2010 23:03
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Hmm, as regards self distributed, Parvati is self-distributed and nobody prevents them from posting. Full support from Lycantrop - millions have been spent on market research by the top corporate conglomerates...reality is, the music industry sales model is shifting back to what the kids wanted and protested for after Woodstock (see http://www.festivalexpress.com/)...free music. The costs of production and distribution must still be paid for somehow, and labels need to build that into their sustenance (not sales) model! Big respect to Ektoplazm for being a pioneer and for his great respect for artists. Buy the music if you can, if you can't, campaign for your favorite artists to play at at local party. It's all good. Enjoy. Listen. Love! |
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Psynthex
IsraTrance Junior Member
Started Topics :
41
Posts :
677
Posted : Jan 24, 2010 23:11
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Quote:
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On 2010-01-24 23:03, Lycantrop Records wrote:
Hmm, as regards self distributed, Parvati is self-distributed and nobody prevents them from posting.
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Noone said that this is wrong!! Read the full line monsieur 
Psynthex [ Vertikal Records ]
http://www.myspace.com/psynthex
Minniq [ Parked Below Records ]
Frequent Pill [ Ultimae Records ] |
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Basilisk
IsraTrance Full Member
Started Topics :
168
Posts :
2984
Posted : Jan 25, 2010 00:15
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Quote:
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On 2010-01-24 21:53, Psynthex wrote:
Rules are rules! |
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Indeed they are, and you are familiar with the concept of precedent? Ektoplazm release info has been welcome in the promotional releases forum for all of 2008 and 2009. This changed without warning or explanation when you started to move threads in the last month.
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Psynthex
IsraTrance Junior Member
Started Topics :
41
Posts :
677
Posted : Jan 25, 2010 00:18
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Well i have explained you politely! And you must admit that i am right in some ways But nevermind about that! I have heard that there will be a new section because of that ( well..it might happen )! Guess i wont be around than
enjoy Alex
Psynthex [ Vertikal Records ]
http://www.myspace.com/psynthex
Minniq [ Parked Below Records ]
Frequent Pill [ Ultimae Records ] |
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mk47
Inactive User
Started Topics :
118
Posts :
4444
Posted : Jan 25, 2010 09:27
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why not just list your stuff as `for sale` in the main message of your post , and `free download too` as an afterthought/sidenote , instead of the converse ? oO
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Psynthex
IsraTrance Junior Member
Started Topics :
41
Posts :
677
Posted : Jan 25, 2010 11:52
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Quote:
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On 2010-01-25 09:27, mk47 wrote:
why not just list your stuff as `for sale` in the main message of your post , and `free download too` as an afterthought/sidenote , instead of the converse ? oO
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+1 as i have told em before in the message!
But nevermind The action has been taken already.. so its a past already!
keep it up
Psynthex [ Vertikal Records ]
http://www.myspace.com/psynthex
Minniq [ Parked Below Records ]
Frequent Pill [ Ultimae Records ] |
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Dennis the menace
DevilsDennis Sparris McHilton
Started Topics :
128
Posts :
2899
Posted : Jan 25, 2010 14:47
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What the fuck is wrong with having free releases in the promotional releases forum?
Someone needs to chill with the moderation imho.
Cheers
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J
IsraTrance Full Member
Started Topics :
193
Posts :
3858
Posted : Jan 25, 2010 14:53
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Not that my opinion was asked but, I'm with Basilisk and Dennis on this one... |
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Psynthex
IsraTrance Junior Member
Started Topics :
41
Posts :
677
Posted : Jan 25, 2010 15:39
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Psynthex
IsraTrance Junior Member
Started Topics :
41
Posts :
677
Posted : Jan 25, 2010 15:42
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Quote:
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On 2010-01-25 14:47, Dennis the menace wrote:
What the fuck is wrong with having free releases in the promotional releases forum?
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Because there would be a mess!!! And recording to rules, accepted by everyone, wrote by a3k:
http://forum.isratrance.com/please-read-important-info/
But excuse me for not allowing any exceptions! I am JUST beeing objective...
Psynthex [ Vertikal Records ]
http://www.myspace.com/psynthex
Minniq [ Parked Below Records ]
Frequent Pill [ Ultimae Records ] |
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Psynthex
IsraTrance Junior Member
Started Topics :
41
Posts :
677
Posted : Jan 25, 2010 15:45
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Quote:
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On 2010-01-25 14:53, John Doe® wrote:
Not that my opinion was asked but, I'm with Basilisk and Dennis on this one...
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And you...you are a moderator.. you should support all rules written down! But suddenly you are flowing by the wind! Good wind sailor
cheers
Psynthex [ Vertikal Records ]
http://www.myspace.com/psynthex
Minniq [ Parked Below Records ]
Frequent Pill [ Ultimae Records ] |
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shahar
IsraTrance Team
Started Topics :
155
Posts :
2035
Posted : Jan 26, 2010 08:00
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I'll share with you our doubts on how to handle this.
I personally do not care if music is released for free or not.
The problem is that once we say that everyone who releases as a label, even if it is digital only and for free with no distribution, then every person who make two tracks on cubase, opens a label webpage, and posts a download link for these two tracks as his new EP, can post in the promotional releases section. That kinda makes the promotional releases section into the new tracks section.
And if you know how people in this scene work, you know just as well as I do, that this is what will happen. The promotional releases section will die, because no one wants to know that psysomething just released his two first tracks as psysomething EP on the new psyotherthing label. It's too messy as it is with one release labels popping every second.
So the question is how do we separate a free label like Ektoplazm from the above? We need some kind of criteria, and something that is not "quality label" or an already "established label" as this is very debatable, and believe me there will be people who will debate it. We need an objective and simple criteria.
My idea was to create a new section called "Netlabels & Free Releases".
This is the best solution I could come up with. I'll be happy to hear of other suggestions before we decide.
Thanks.
---------------------------------------------
"Be the change you want to see in the world!"
M.K. Gandhi
"There is only one corner of the universe you can be certain of improving, and that's your own self."
Aldous Huxley
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A.Rosengren
Solid Snake
Started Topics :
266
Posts :
4138
Posted : Jan 26, 2010 14:56
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Good idea and well said.
A
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