The music business is changing. Fewer people want to buy CDs. Fortunately, there is now a brilliant new option–the album pin. What is an Album Pin and Why do you want to own one? Let me tell you more.
What is an Album Pin?
An album pin is basically a lapel pin with artwork inspired by a specific album or song. Yes. It could be the actual album artwork on a lapel pin. However, it could also have something to do with a specific track on the album.
The album pins stand out on their own. It is something that fits a target niche. It appeals to more than just your fans. They should be bold and visually engaging.
However, that is only the start.
What truly makes it an “album pin” or “musical pin” as opposed to a lapel pin is that it also has a digital album attached to the pin.
There is a postcard that includes a complete track listing and the official album cover on it. There might also be a QR code to listen to the album. That postcard is a signal that says, “this is not just a pin”, it's an album as well.
So it is the digital album that is what truly makes the album pin. That's why each pin is attached it a download code.
You can see above that I used to attach them to postcards. Unfortunately, that caused the card to bend. It was also a bit too bulky in carrying. Now I attach them to business cards.
On front, there is my logo and URL. The pin is attached. On the back is the download code, URL, email address and a QR code that gets you to splash page where people can also sign up for your mailing list.
Why Do You Want to Own One?
Most modern fans who come away from a show want to support their favorite musician. Album pins solve a few problems for fans.
First, many fans no longer have a CD players. It seems rather pointless to buy a CD when you can't play it. Sure you could dis lay the album. But that's a rare case. An album pin allows you to have a physical reminder of the show you enjoyed.
I have released 25 studio albums. I can't tell you how many fans come to table, look at my catalog with their eyes glazed over and say, “I don't remember which albums I have.” An album pin solves that problem because you can literally wear your album on your sleeve.
Although to be fair, it's uncomfortable wearing them on your shirt. BUT your jean jacket? You backpack? A lanyard or scarf? A hat?
Fans can go to the show and show others how much they enjoy their favorite musician by the number of albums they bought and are wearing. All the world gets to see.
The Album Card solves another problem. You will find a complete track listing of what's on the album. But it also gives fans another way to get autographs. Instead of autographing a CD, a musician can sign the Album Card that fans can save and display for years to come.
I found at my shows that more and more fans are extremely grateful to have a non-CD alternative for supporting my music. This makes a HUGE impact on my ability to make a living as a musician.
Better for the Environment Too?
I'm thinking a lot about the environmental impact of my business. One of the problems I have with CDs is that they are made of not-easy-to-recycle plastic. They are wrapped in plastic. There's just way too much plastic wasted with each CD.
My Album Pins use hard enamel. From what I understand, enamel is basically fusing a type of colored glass to metal. There is some petroleum used in the process. So that sucks. But there's definitely less plastic used and the cards are all paper. The only challenge I have is when I order the pins, they are individually wrapped in plastic. My printer, GS-JJ, now wraps them in paper for me.
Oh! And of course, the music is all digital!
Album Pin or Musical Pin?
I sometimes refer to Album Pins as Musical Pins because my fellow Brobdingnagian Bards partner, Andrew McKee prefers that name. I used it for a while. However, I like “Album Pin” better.
Album Pin captures the idea that it's an album that comes with the pin. Musical Pin makes people ask a question and invites curiosity.
Both do the trick and help musicians make more money. So go with what works best for you.
