Something bugging you, credit crunch bit your bum?

[Kevin]

Then tell all! A problem shared and all that! ;D

Seriously this is the place for tea and a chat (in a cyber sort of way)

[steve]

Well, I'm tired of working for a living... Anybody know of any piles of money sitting around waiting for me?

[Kevin]

Not sure about money in piles Steve.

[steve]

How about neatly stacked?

[Kevin]

I see that you are still waiting for a sale on sibeliusmusic.com

There is a few things that you may like to consider to help your sales but they will require a bit of time and effort.

[steve]

Other than writing better quality music!?

[Kevin]

Feb 15, 2009 19:20:15 GMT steve said:

Other than writing better quality music!?

That is one thing but there are other factors as well!

[steve]

Do tell... what's the secret? Although charging for scores might be a good starting point as you cannot sell what is free! But I don't like the idea of charging for most of my scores - I often wonder if the ones people printed out would have sold, or if they were printed because they were free. What tricks of the trade do you recommend?

[Kevin]

• Write or arrange what people want to play. It is not good, to start with at least, to write/arrange music that only you enjoy.
  
• Create a list of ensembles (as e-mails) and send them links to your music. This can take a while! Maybe create a mail shot with all the links on.
  
• Join as many composer forums as you can and spread the word in there. This may not create sales but I feel sure that the membership will give you ideas.
  

[steve]

I'll definitely give these ideas some thought. Although, in the end, with the little free time I have to devote to music, I may just end up writing what I want anyway. But the idea of writing and arranging music for others has always intrigued me and I may just give it a go!

[Deleted]

What about entering into contests and write pieces for specific ensembles? You can still write what you like but at the same time you make something specific for a group or event what will make it special (to them)...

[steve]

Well I always enter the small ones from Sibelius Chat... You're right though, seeking out these sorts of events would definitely provide opportunities to focus my energies in a specific direction and provide interaction directly with the "other end" of the process.

[Kevin]

sonsofsibelius.proboards.com/index.cgi?board=cc1&action=display&thread=8&page=1

Try this

[Deleted]

Oh, cool!

I've been to this page last year too and found the Unno Klami Competition that way.

I tell you Steve, it's really really good for your motivation to commit yourself to enter a piece. I soo much enjoyed making the 30 min concerto. It took me 4 months to complete (rougly one part per month I had promised myself) and those months were reaaly fun to do.

In fact I think I'll give either one of the two in the bottom a stab myself. I'm already too old for most other ones to enter and do not want to spend an entry fee.... Although, it might give you a better chance of winning as most people do not want to spend money on it --> less competition to beat.

Thanks for sharing Kevin!

Peter

[steve]

Some are very tempting. I may consider one or two.

[Kevin]

Get in there Steve! There will always be the one I will set up here as well once I get enough people involved in the forum.