Why Physical CD Media Vs Streaming Is Essential For Musicians

If you're a musician (or work with musicians), you've been asked at least once whether you think physical CD media or streaming services are more important for marketing your music. The answer, of course, is that they're equally important.

Let's look at some of the key reasons why physical CD media is an essential marketing tool for musicians - even in the digital age. We'll also dispel some common misconceptions about using CDs as part of your music marketing strategy.

For musicians and musicians' marketing teams, physical media is a must. It offers innumerable benefits, from storage and archiving to tangible connections with your fanbase. It serves as a reminder of your musical talent and experience and a tool for distributing and promoting your art and music. 

Whether you're releasing a physical album, an EP, a single, or hosting a live session, having a physical media counterpart can often yield more material results than streaming services alone. Plus, it can easily be personalized with an autograph or special message, allowing you to connect with your audience in a more meaningful way.

Main Differences Between Physical CD Media vs Streaming

Let us share the main differences between physical CD media and streaming services:

The Earning Power of CDs

Physical media, such as CDs, are another powerful revenue generator for musicians. Sold on their own or in bundles with other merch, CDs allow you to promote your music and band beyond the concert venue, grow your fanbase, and ultimately boost your earnings. Selling CDs on your website or at your next gig can put some serious coin in your pockets, especially compared to what you might make from a streaming service.

The profit from selling a CD may seem small at first glance, but it's significantly higher than the earnings for downloads or streams. Here's a closer look at how the numbers stack up:

Say your CD sells for $16.00 and that you're a band of 4 that also writes its material. Your deal is to receive a royalty rate of 11%, but your producer takes 3% of that. So, in the end, you make 8% net royalty: $16.00 – $8.32 (30% for retailers, 22% for distributors) = $7.68 per CD sold. That's right, you make $7.68 for every CD you sell in this scenario. Compare those earnings to just a few of the top streaming platforms according to Headphonesty:

Plus, selling CDs at shows, on social media, and your website lets you get fan data needed for future marketing efforts like email/text campaigns or targeted social media ads. Maximizing these other sales platforms generates income while allowing for sustained, ongoing promotion of your music, likely resulting in more purchases by new fans.

Promotion & Engagement

Promotion and engagement power that physical media offers. By allowing fans to have tangible connections with you through CDs, merch, and other branded items, you create a long-lasting relationship with them. This can help you grow your fanbase more quickly than streaming services alone.

Plus, when it comes to promotion, physical CDs offer benefits that streaming services can't match. Fans who come to your show with a disc create excellent promotional fodder on social media. Plus, giving away things like autographed discs helps create an emotional bond with your fanbase and encourages them to spread the word about your music. But streaming platforms allow you to promote easily and cheaply to fans who may not have heard of you before.

Sound Quality 

Sound quality is a major factor in determining what type of physical media to use. CDs offer superior sound quality than streaming services, meaning your fans can enjoy their favorite songs how you intended them to be heard. Furthermore, CDs enable you to add liner notes, artwork, and other bonuses to the physical package. Streaming platforms allow you to produce high-quality sound and offer several options for adding visuals to the music.

Promote Your Music Today with Quality Merch

Physical media such as CDs provide higher earning potential and more tangible connections with your fanbase than streaming services. Furthermore, they can help you promote your music in ways that are beyond what streaming services are capable of. However, streaming services are becoming increasingly popular due to their convenience, sound quality, and visuals. Ultimately, to answer the question of physical media vs. streaming, it's up to you as an artist to decide what type of media is best for your music.

At MediaXpress, we offer CD, DVD, Blu-ray replication, duplication services, and USB flash drives. We specialize in fast turn-around times with 24 to 48 hours available upon request. With our services, you can now create quality merch that will help promote and expand your music! Contact MediaXpress today to get started on transforming your music into an amazing physical experience.