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Century Recording is a record label. We earn income by providing competitively priced marketing services and product to our Artists. We don't take Artist rights in return for advances and the promise of royalties. We don't lock Artists into exclusive contracts. We earn fees for the work we do and a commission on the sales we deliver.
We work for our Artists... Our Artists don't work for us.



Plan Your Own Release
 PRINT THIS OUTLINE FOR YOUR OWN PLANNING/BUDGETING PURPOSES
What does it take to build a successful release? Planning, resources, and experience. We can help. We've pre-packaged some of the critical services you are going to need. Use the outline below as an organizational tool.

Recording Options
    Live Event - The release will be based on the recording of live events. Mastering Required
    Studio Produced - The release will be based on a series of studio recordings. Studio time available starting at $75 per hour.
    Existing Recording - This will be a re-release of an existing indie release to which the artist owns all rights including mechanical and performance. All rights have been secured.
Mastering Options
Prices starting at $795 per 10 track music album.
    Vinyl - Album/Single mastering to be optimized for vinyl.
    CD - Album/Single mastering to be optimized for CD players.
    Internet - Album/Single mastering to be optimized for MP3 digital players.
    Broadcast - Album/Single mastering to be optimized for broadcast.
Release Schedule
    Recording Complete Date - Deadline for the final recording session... Everything is recorded.

    Master Complete Date - Projected date to complete the Master.

    Cover Design/Track List Deadline - Few things are as critical as CD/DVD cover design and track list. Nothing gets scheduled until the final cover design is in hand and the tracks are finalized. These two items are the basis for all promotional activity.

    Product Delivery Date - Date when all product delivery is complete.

    Release Date - It is critical to have a specific release date identified 3-4 months in advance in order to coordinate all media efforts. A coordinated release can save $1000's and improve the impact you get for your investment.

    Promotion/Advertising Coverage Start Date - Some magazines have 60-day space and copy reservation deadlines and publish quarterly, others are weeklies and web ads can be up overnight. Planning has to start during recording and a plan has to be ready when a release date is set and art has to be completed when CD cover and track list are finalized.
Packaging Format Options
 Packaging can save you money. Consider different packaging for retail vs promotional materials. Jewel case with an 8-panel insert for retail and a digipak 2-panel for promotional giveaways. You might consider a 4-panel eco-wallet for retail and 2-panel jewel for radio distribution. Both professional, but matched to the end user's expectations. Prices starting at $195.
    Jewel Case CD Design - Cover/Insert 2-panel to 8 panel, and Tray
    Slim Jewel Case CD Design - Cover design
    DigiPak - Basic to 4 panel
    Eco-Pocket - Basic to 4-panel
    Mailer - Front and Back
    CD Label - 3 color or full color
    DVD Design - Cover and insert up to 8-panel
Duplication Requirements
 The categories below cover many of the promotional demands on inventory. This should help you plan for the demand before a shortage puts a halt to you carefully timed promotional efforts. CD's in Jackets as low as $.89 in quantities of 1000. Short run duplication as low as $3.50/CD for 20-qty.
    Retail Inventory Requirements
    Jewel Cases
    Slim Jewel Cases
    DigiPaks
    Eco-Pockets
    Mailers
    Labeled CD's in Envelope
    DVD's

    Booking Inventory Requirements
    Jewel Cases
    Slim Jewel Cases
    DigiPaks
    Eco-Pockets
    Mailers
    Labeled CD's in Envelope
    DVD's

    Radio Promotion
    Jewel Cases
    Slim Jewel Cases
    DigiPaks
    Eco-Pockets
    Mailers
    Labeled CD's in Envelope
    DVD's

    Editorial Reviews
    Jewel Cases
    Slim Jewel Cases
    DigiPaks
    Eco-Pockets
    Mailers
    Labeled CD's in Envelope
    DVD's

    Promotional Giveaways
    Jewel Cases
    Slim Jewel Cases
    DigiPaks
    Eco-Pockets
    Mailers
    Labeled CD's in Envelope
    DVD's

    Retail Distributor - Case Lots
    Jewel Cases
    Slim Jewel Cases
    DigiPaks
    Eco-Pockets
    Mailers
    Labeled CD's in Envelope
    DVD's


Press Releases in Support of Release
 Prices starting at $129 per written press release including distribution.
    Print Publications Music/Comedy/Entertainment Publications
    Radio Stations - Genre specific radio amd college stations
    Television Morning Shows - Send to markets where Artist has appearances scheduled
    Radio Shows - Radio and internet personalities with shows that could offer airplay or reviews.
    Bookers - Sent to current and potential booking agencies, venues, and buyers

Radio Promotion for Release
 Prices starting at $2000 for a highly targeted package with tracking.
    Genre
    Rock
    Country
    Pop
    Jazz
    Blues
    Americana
    Comedy

    Station Size
    Large Commercial
    Medium Commercial
    Small Commercial
    NPR
    Community
    College
    Satellite
    Cable
    Internet

    Targeted Markets - Geo specific based on existing fanbase and on upcoming tour appearances, market size and potential impact.
    Timing - It is critical to coordinate with all other media efforts

Advertising Support for Release
 The Advertising Support Package primarily targets magazines, and web sites that will influence, radio airplay, booking and fans. It's very important to be seen everywhere over a 3-6 month period while you release is new. When you can't afford 1/4 to half page ads in a publication you should try to get placed on their web site. If you can't afford paid Advertising support you need to work on editorial coverage. Prices starting at $395 for the advertising plan. Ad space in publications additional.
    Industry Publications - Designed to increase airplay and bookings
    Consumer Publications - Designed to sell CD's, web site traffic and improve live event attendance.
    Internet - Designed to increase awareness of artist, release and drive traffic to web site for fanbase and sales

Editorial Reviews for Release
 Prices starting at $595 with CD submitted to targeted publications for editorial review. Sending your release for editorial review can generate attention and coverage in publications you might not be able to afford as an advertiser. Excerpts from reviews and their by-lines can improve your image with fans, bookers, agents, and music buyers.
    Magazines - Press releases and sample CD's to reproters and editors with a reputation or review policy
    Newspapers - Press releases and sample CD's to reproters and editors with a reputation or review policy
    Web Sites - Press releases and sample CD's to reproters and editors with a reputation or review policy
    Blogs - Press releases and sample CD's to reproters and editors with a reputation or review policy

Release Marketing Materials
 You can't release without basic marketing materials. At a bare minimum, you need a digital press kit, web page dedicated to the release, one-sheet, postcard and flyers. Posters would be the next most critical tool.
    Press Kit - Release specific press kit to provide information and graphics for editorial, retailer and distributor support
    Release Web Page - Everyone uses the web. This is critical.
    Booking Flyer - To be used to secure bookings
    Album One-Sheet - Used to market to distributors and retailers.
    Song One-Sheets - Used to promote to music directors and publishers
    Banners - Live event marketing tool
    Posters - Live event marketing tool and giveaway for radio
    Postcards - Used to market to retailers, radio program manager followup and booking trigger
    Business Cards - Inexpensive and important format for direct contact and those that keep cards.

Release Distribution
 There are many distribution levels and methods. You don't have to be with a major music distributor to sell CD's. It helps but there are alternatives. More today than ever before. Physical distribution can take the form of event sales, placement in independent music stores, in carwashes and truck stops, on Amazon and CDBaby We get creative, you should too.
    Traditional Distributors - Major music distributors and retailers
    Non-Traditional Distributors - Independents, minor outlet chains, audio retailers
    Internet - CD Baby, Orchard, World Entertainment Network, Amazon, Ebay, and others
    Digital Download - iTunes, Rhapsody and others

Point of Sale Tools
 These are the tools you use to make the sale whether that's at your live appearances, in retail outlets or online. Event the code that goes on the track to identify you when your track plays on the radio or mp3 player.
    Live Event - Sales Table, Signage,
    In-Store - Posters and counter displays
    Internet - Web site graphics, sample cuts, screen savers, web site
    Digital - Descriptions, ID3/ID2 codes, graphics
Release Support Tours and Appearances
Whether it's a booking, a series of bookings, or a real, "blow out the stops tour" You are going on tour. Venues want to be part of a tour, sponsors will buy into a tour. When we are talking "tour" we are talking marketing clout. Three stops in Texas this month is the Texas leg of your Release Tour. Book it and promote it as such.
    Schedule - Decisions on show frequency, geographic proximity, length, support levels, target markets and fans
    Booking - Targeted cities/communities/colleges and venues campaigned, contacted and booked
    Routing/Logistics -
    Media Marketing -
    Live Event -


Tools for Event Marketing
 Venue Materials
Posters
Press Releases
Table Cards
Flyers
Video Promotional DVDs

Media Relations
Press Releases
Phone Call Interviews
Press Passes
Media Kit

Fan Relations
Fan Email Notices
Corporate Notices
College Schedule Updates

Tools for Artist Marketing
 Web Site
Press Kits
Booking
Fanbase
Live Event
Sales Booth/Table
Stage Signage
Venue Signage




CENTURY RECORDING - 7721 EL PADRE LANE DALLAS, TEXAS 75248 QUESTIONS CALL: 972-490-5167 | 9-6 CST WEEKDAYS

Recognized "Media Company" of The Recording Academy
Member Roots Music Association
Member Comedy Writers Guild

COPYRIGHT 2008 DON LOKKE ALL RIGHTS RESERVED