So a lifelong dream of mine, to own and operate a record store, is about to come to fruition in Second Life.  The second phase of SECONDtunes is implementing a vendor/associates program that allows anyone and everyone to set up shop and sell the quality tunes of SL artists.  It will work like a normal agreement, where they buy for a percentage of retail.  The difference will be that they will set their profit margin.  For instance, consider the following scenario:

JueL Resistance is selling a great live recording of “Cigarette” that she did at one of her Naked Acoustic Sessions for L$400.

If “JayJay’s Record Store” would like to carry this particular tune, and have decided that they’d like to make a 10% margin off of each sale, the vendor in their store will sell “Cigarette” for L$440, and they’ll recieve the L$40 that’s above JueL’s performance-selling price.  The L$400 will be split the same way it always is with 15% commission going to SECONDtunes, and the lion’s share going to the artist.

Another feature I’m considering implementing is shared profits.  To use JueL as an example again (mostly because she’s been such an evengelist for SECONDtunes so far!), she just played a set along with Cylindrian Rutabega.  Maybe they played a killer version of “Hammer and a Nail” (it’s the Indigo girls, and if you haven’t, you should).  So, after sorting all the licensing out, they decide to sell their rockin’ awesome version of the already great tune on SECONDtunes.  Either artist would be able to add the song and “Share” it with the other.  That way, every time JueL sells a copy, Cylindrian gets half (or whatever percentage they agree on) of the song’s revenue.  I know that these things could be worked out outside of the service, but it just seems like one more thing that could be automated to make the experience that much better for the artists!

In other news, I demoed the vendor to one of the founders of Magnatune Records today, and have my fingers crossed that they’ll decide 1) to sell their artists’ songs in-world, and 2) to use SECONDtunes to do it.

Tell all of your artist friends to give me a shout in-world.  I will soon have a teleport spot for anyone to check it out while I’m off doing my crazy real-life thing, but for now it’s up close and personal, baby!

Vendor update coming up in the next couple of days that will eliminate the free t-shirt annoyance (it really seemed like a good idea, I promise) and will spit out a notecard to new listeners to explain the process in better detail.

I’m also looking to join the “Upload Song” function to the “Add Song” page.  I originally didn’t intend on hosting everyone’s MP3s, but it seems to be a real need for the artists, so we’re going to make it happen.  I may be on the lookout for a better server soon as well, so if anyone knows of sweet deals in that department, let me know.

Until next time,
Bobby Fairweather