FizzKicks is yet another solution for bands to sell and promote their music via download cards. A couple of key elements differentiate it from other services like DiscRevolt and DropCards.
They are an online music store much like DiscRevolt but they take the idea a bit further. First off their player and profile are very well thought-out (not to say that DiscRevolt’s isn’t but FizzKick’s interface is more complete and ergonomic). Second their card builder (image below) is an excellent tool to customize your graphics. And last but certainly not least is their widget that can be placed anywhere enabling your fans to redeem their credits, buy some songs and check out your profile. The widget comes at a price through. Either you upgrade to a monthly ($9.99) or yearly ($99.9) “ProPlan” subscription to enable it, or you can opt for a “Pay-as-you-Go” subscription where FizzKicks takes a 10% commission off every online sale you make. Click here to see how it works.
Discrevolt also has a widget but it isn’t advertised. I called in for an order and they built one for me essentially for free. Fizzkicks looks cool too, but I can’t see anything there I haven’t gotten at DR and I’ve been with them since they started so I still don’t see any reason to switch. Glad there are competitors out there though because indie artists need services like this! Let them compete and continue to improve these services for indies!
Thanks for the info, that’s why I love this site!
Hi Miguel,
Thanks a lot for the comment !
You should link up your myspace or something. Would like to listen to your work.
Yeah I think Discrevolt does a good job, not that I use their service or anything, but I have read positive comments.
I don’t think there is much difference between both services in terms of quality or delivery time although i wasn’t aware DR did widgets, and that was something I had to give FizzKicks for.
FK’s player is really awesome. Then again, like many social networks, it’s a question of what you are used to.
Fell upon the thread on CD Baby talking about download card services. Check it out:
http://cdbaby.org/stories/07/10/10/7519462.html
The conversation started a year ago and is still active so some comments are outdated.
Do fans respond well to your download cards? I have talked to bands who struggle selling theirs. they just end up using solely for promotion, which i consider to be the real bargain with these cards. Make ‘em look good with a good amount of credits and fans after a show will love getting their loot.
miaou ! sick of the dog thing for tonight :)
Hey All,
Interesting enough I work the indie artists side of DiscRevolt. Miguel, thanks for being with us, we really appreciate it.
I of course am going to have a bias, but I will say this, ALL digital services have their pluses and minuses.
We (DiscRevolt) like to try to focus on artists and their needs. Products that we are designing for the future are products that will have your success in mind first and then ours. I know of the other companies, but I can truly say that this company was founded by people who have spent decades in the industry from many different genre’s to every level.
Yes, we have widgets also. Ours is much different than the ones you see the other digital services using. Many people have seen them and don’t even realize it. Each of our widgets look different as they are built to match the page that the artist is using. We have had widgets for long time.
We have NOT done an official release campaign as we like to do things a little different and in our quest to provide for the artist, we are continuing to build some cool things that will be a part of the future of this company and the success of our artists.
a great band and widget sample to try out:
http://votaband.com/
As for the fans and their response. There are many factors that contribute to the fans acceptance of the product. Here are 5 quick tips (not definitive, but they should help) that you must keep in mind to build a digital product market
1. You have to know your product like the back of your hand. If you do not understand your mp3 card product of choice, then neither will your fans and they won’t buy it.
2. Know the value of your products. If you want to sell a single song for $10 in this day and age then more than likely you are wishing on a prayer. You have to test and find out what prices your fans will pay for your music in order to maximize you distribution.
3. Be excited. If you are not excited about any of your merchandise, then your fans won’t be. That’s as simple as it gets.
4. Use proper promotion and distribution skills. Don’t try to distribute your merch to the wrong people at the wrong place and wrong time. This will only frustrate them and you as it will yield poor results for your efforts.
5. Make a plan or several plans and follow them. If you have no game plan then it is very difficult to find out what is working and to make good assessments on how your plans or goals need to be modified.
I hope this helps you all. If any of you Indie guys want some help you just shoot us a call. I would love to help you where I can.
Bobby,
Thanks for your detailed post. I was looking for some time before I settled on Fizzkicks. So far we’ve had a good experience with them. I didn’t stumble upon your service until after I’d already got on board with Fizzkicks, but there is one feature that I don’t notice on your service. Do you offer alternate payment methods, or does someone need to have a card in hand? It wasn’t obvious to me after a quick scan of your site.
Anyway, I think that these distribution avenues for independent artists are a clear win for everyone. It isn’t hard to sell folks on the cards when virtually everyone is moving music directly onto their iPods these days. CDs are a waste of money and resources for the consumer and the artist.
Thanks for this blog entry and the replies everyone!
Best Wishes,
Rick
Rick,
We are working on getting the paypal option onto our Digital Media Centers right now and we already take credit cards. We are making them one at a time and we have added the sound sampling capability, without adding a player. We do this to keep your site clean. Cookie cutter players are just that, the same old thing on everyone’s website. That’s not necessarily bad, but when you as an indie artist need to stand out, it becomes hard when you have someones program taking up space on your site.
you all take care and enjoy this new year
Bobby
678.381.2700
dmc@discrevolt.com
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