so this band in ohio called papadosio is interested in having me be their merch guy selling their stuff at all their shows… I would be buying my own t shirt press to make the shirts which is pricy. but not only that but they expect me to designing, print AND selling thier stuff under the agreement that they get a percent of the profit. They want me to come out to their show this saturday to talk in person and such…
i was wondering what you guys think would be a fair percent of the profit for the band to take from each tshirt sale? and do you think i should get a profit of their cd sales? since i would be the one standing there all show selling them.
Wow! That is a really interesting little deal you have going with these guys. I have never heard of a merch deal like that. Here is how I would attack this:
-charge a design price for each project
-print the shirts on your own dime
-sell the shirts to the band for a set price that will ensure you will make enough in the long run
-either work some cash into the per unit price for those shirts to cover your time spent selling merch at shows or take a buck or two from each CD sale while you are working (with their permission of course!)
I will however add that I do not think it is all that great to take cash from CD sales, maybe you should use this as a last resort.
Also, make sure you LOVE the band before agreeing to sit at all their shows. This can become quite painful. I hope this helps.
i like all your ideas here, that is a really good way at going at it. however i feel my strongest asset in this is the fact that the band doesnt have to actaully invest anything, meaning they have no risk. which i think therefore makes me more valuable to them seeing as im taking the risk for them…
and i also agree that even just out of respect for them i shouldnt take money from their cds. even if i am selling them because im really not taking the time to sell their cds, they would just be on the table with the shirts, and the cds is THEIR art and the shirts are my art.
suggestions and break down discussion of this will really help me out… im meeting with the band this saturday at their columbus show to talk to them in person about all of this, and i would love to have all my info together by then to give them the idea that i know what im doing and such. hehe
and yes i already do love the band, even before all this started i supported the band and tryed to get as many people to the shows as possible.
You can always assign a price to the shirts and allow the band to pay you for them as they need them. Since you are taking the money you can keep inventory on the spot and make sure you do not get shorted (by accident or otherwise). This way you still offer them the security of not having to pay up front and secure your own interests (keeping the deal fair) at the same time.
Good luck and don’t worry about not knowing what you are doing. Most people involved with independent music are amateurs or were amateurs at one time. I think the important thing is that you are passionate about your art and the band’s as well. As long as that is why you are doing this, everybody involved will be thrilled to have you along. Cheers!
