My Solution To Save The Music Industry
Nov1311:37 AM
Filed in: Opinion
The music industry's money, energy, passion and creativity would be better spent trying to improve upon the user experience of file sharing rather than fighting it through legislation.
Focus on what the music consumer really wants, and deliver it, blowing away any and all expectations.
The businesss needs to out-think the freebie alternatives, create something new that can't be replicated through file sharing, and then monetize that new technology through a paid monthly service.
No, I'm not talking about another iTunes clone. That's boring. And while I do love Spotify, it can become boring as well since there's no Recommendation Engine to encourage new music discoveries. And there's no graphics to to entertain the ADHD kids.
The answer lies within existing technologies which we can morph and create something with. Something new that...
- excites the music consumer
- creates unparalleled value
- has unrestricted access
- has mobile versions
- pays the artists/labels fairly
So...what could this possibly be?
Here's what I'd like to see, a mashup of the following:
- a mix of the iTunes interface
- with an unlimited Spotify-type of access
- with a YouTube-type of video content interface
- but with BluRay quality, flashiness and interactivity
- all of which which can be streamed to your TV, mobile device, or laptop
- which features music reviews and articles from trusted bloggers and music journalists
- all for a $30-$40 a month access fee
- no ownership, pay as you go
A real music service. A monthly utility that you just can't live without, just like your Cable TV bill... which you never question the value of. Something that file sharing just can't replicate. A service that creates an undeniable, unparalleled experience, that is different each and every time you use it.
That's where we need to go if we want revenue to start flowing in the music industry again. And of course, this will be able to co-exist (and encourage) physical album sales.
So there you go. A free concept for the industry to use and for anyone that wants to pump a few million dollars into developing it.
Don't you think the music industry's money would be better spent trying to create something new like this rather than spending it on legal fees, legislation, lobbying and criminal suits against music consumers? It's time to focus on what really matters, the customer and their experience with what you're trying to sell.
-- Brian Thompson
