For some odd reason, it seems in order for me to learn something I have to have hands on experience and do it the hard, difficult way.  If anybody has any advice on stepping over this process, I for one would love to hear about it.

Took the morning with a backpack of Christmas CDs to the largest shopping centre in the area with hopes of putting some on consignment.  I figured it was a waste of time when I left the house this morning, but alas, I drove through the snowy, slippery roads anyways just to have it confirmed in my mind :):).  The store managers were all very nice and most of them informed me that head office does not allow that sort of thing because they don't want to be responsible for lost or broken goods.

I did manage to get the names of the companies that stream music to a variety of retail stores, some of the names of which I had never heard of before so I will google their websites and see if I can muddle my way in without paying.  Some of the stores have websites where artists can submit music directly and whoever handles their playlists may like your music well enough to put it on their playlists.  One young store manager was rather rude though and said their store is directed at 16 year olds (girls' teen clothing store) and she's sure they wouldn't play my music (without even listening to it), LOL.  I know she is right but I felt like slapping her anyways.  PLUS, I always figured Christmas music was rather universal and just didn't fit the normal stream of music. I may just submit a few songs anyways and if it works, I'll go to the store and say "hey, that's my song playing"  LOL - oh, dream on!!

I do have some good leads for stores that are independently owned that might show some potential, as well as CD warehouse locally which I already mentioned.  Of course HMV and places like that no longer accept indie music and headoffice makes up their own playlists so I've gotten the phone numbers to some of these places as well.  So overall, I may have a few leads which may result in some contacts so it wasn't completely a waste of time.

The store owner at the bookstore "Coles" was very nice.  She, as well, could not put the CD on consignment but she has a CD player in her store and plays the music she wants.  I offered her a free CD to play and she said she definitely would.  She also gave me permission to use her name and store in any of my promotions and press releases that it is playing in her store and has given me permission to drop off business cards in case somebody hears the music and inquires.  So, I will go back next week after preparing some custom "A NOT Ordinary Christmas" business cards to drop off.  I will also offer her a poster which I'll make up to put in her store window inviting people to come in and listen to some new indie music and where they can buy the CD.

My next adventure will be to the independent gift stores and coffeeshops.  I will also get in contact with the woman I spoke with in Kitchener who will stream our music to 12 revenues in her city and ask if maybe I can help her company attack the Ottawa market and get in good with them as they expand throughout the major Canadian market and learn their process.

I don't know how it is for you "guys" in other countries, but there is a network of women in business here helping other women and this will definitely work to my advantage, therefore your advantage.  Women seem to like to help out other women as much as they can, especially the 30+ women, for some reason, who aren't spending all their time pursuing relationships and competing for guys, whatever :):)!!!  Anyways, I need to get connected, it'll be fun.  I'm pretty sure in another year or so I'll have a much better handle on the marketing and distribution of music and some new insightful contacts to add to the pool.

The internet has changed the process of making music dramatically ... why am I "knocking on Doors"??   In general, I still think people like to see who they are dealing with.   I may offer a talk one evening at a quiet venue possibly to discuss on-line collaborating and sell my CDS ... but really I'm shy.  My head tells me I should do this but my body isn't so willing.  I'm a bit nervous.  Chapters offers some evening talks and even the libraries do although it's getting late in the game, December is upon us.  I will be giving three CDs to the Ottawa Public Library to live in their archives for all eternity LOL!

I also found a local supplier out of the process which was important to me.  Their prices are competitive, maybe not the best, but competitive and I like having control of what I'm getting.  They were very responsive, dropped off material for me to review and met my deadline with no problem and the final album looks great.  This will be handy for small run orders of specific genre EP albums with you guys.  I know a lot of summer festivals here have little tents where they sell CDs from the artists who play but they also sell CDs from local indies.  Not everybody know this but I worked a festival last year, that's how I found out but forgot about it until now.  I will definitely be contacting the festival people and vying for a spot in their booth with genre specific music:  blues festival, jazz festival, folk festival, etc....an opportunity for people to listen to something new and the homegrown crowds seem to like that. 

Later..Casia