CD Baby is setting up an affilate program right now. I don't know the exact details but my imagination is running wild with possibilities. Since CD Baby now has a 'buy single' option Im forced to relook the pricing of my albums. Right now people's buying habbits are more singles driven versus album driven. Even though selling my album for a little more than the price of a single seems like a good idea. I think that future albums will have to be more. My current albums will remain at the same price however, future albums will be around the 5 dollar range on CD Baby.

It seems like the majority of musicians and artists have a day job outside of their field. Go to any local Starbucks and you will probably find a fairly well established artist trying to make ends meet. Is there a way for artists to not have a day job and just focus on their art? Here are my 5 reasons on why artists (in particular musicians) are poor.

1. Saturation - There are so many people trying to do this there simply isn't enough demand for all of them to succeed.
2. Mentality of money - Most artists seem to hate money. For whatever reason even if an artist could make $18 000 a year selling albums, collecting royalties and playing shows they would rather make lattes for 40 hours a week.
3. Attitude and mentality towards other musicians and playing styles - Artists tend to have a dogmatic view towards whatever they think is the right way art should go. If another artist's view is outside of their vision, that person is instantly uncool and therefore unlistenable. This mentality is really detrimental towards musicians. Life would be better for musicians if this pessimism was changed into exploratory optimism.
4. Musicians are poor so they can't support other musicians - As this feedback loop of poverty turns into more poverty, it seems that the only way for musicians to make money is to have people with real jobs pay for your music.
5. Music is not being monetized as effectively as in the past - We all heard of myspace music making a deal with the 4 big record labels to start streaming ad revenue generated content. Will the monetization of the future be every time you listen to music royalties will be payed out? If this is the case, then imagine every person listening to music then imagine if 1 cent was paid out. How many billions of dollars would that be?


So what can we do about it?

1. Saturation - There isn't much we can do about this one . Everybody thinks they can be a musician. With the internet now, it can be absolutely anybody who gets plays on their myspace or youtube account. Regardless of education, production value, or creativity, anybody with any idea can get hits. It is entirely possible that a 3 year old singing a Beatles song can get more hits than a well established composer with a PHD in their field.
Mentality of money - Gigging 2 times a week + CD and merch sales could equal 300 - 500 a week. So would artists rather work a low paying job or would they rather play their instrument?
Attitudes - Think positively openly and creatively. Not pessimistically and close minded.
Poverty feedback loop - Go to shows or buy music
Monetization- If the monetization of music gets better then perhaps it will create a positive feedback loop. Better yet all you might have to do is listen to music and artists can make a living that way.