sr1200
Well-known member
OK, so this past year has been quite a quirky ride for me.
I made a huge (for me) investment in my studio (over $20k) which I need to start seeing a return on (im not in debt, so thats at least good...)
I've moved the studio a few times over the last 10 years (mainly because of leases and rent increases) but I recently re-did my basement (separate entrance to the place from the outside). So now I've essentially cut the overhead completely out of the equation.
I left my studio during the busiest time of year to go do a European tour (which was nice... get out and see the world... meet some DIYers from across the pond), but from a business stand point, might not have been the best idea. My plan was to get things going last summer. But whats done is done.
I "think" I have halfway decent equipment, the room sounds good, my mixes translate really well, and I have a great relationship with a top mastering house with a huge name engineer that fast tracks almost everything I send him.
I have a website. Was thinking of doing either Facebook ads and/or print ads in the local music rags. I have had decent luck in the past putting nice color flyers out at Guitar Center and Sam Ash and mom/pop shops.
I don't know if I should drop my hourly rate to something REALLY ridiculously low just to get bookings going, then inch them up over time again, wait to see if the advertising pays off, sell all my gear and quit the biz... lol. Any advice?
PS What is an "acceptable" rate for a project studio these days anyway... i know the economy sucks and I'm sure that's a factor.
I made a huge (for me) investment in my studio (over $20k) which I need to start seeing a return on (im not in debt, so thats at least good...)
I've moved the studio a few times over the last 10 years (mainly because of leases and rent increases) but I recently re-did my basement (separate entrance to the place from the outside). So now I've essentially cut the overhead completely out of the equation.
I left my studio during the busiest time of year to go do a European tour (which was nice... get out and see the world... meet some DIYers from across the pond), but from a business stand point, might not have been the best idea. My plan was to get things going last summer. But whats done is done.
I "think" I have halfway decent equipment, the room sounds good, my mixes translate really well, and I have a great relationship with a top mastering house with a huge name engineer that fast tracks almost everything I send him.
I have a website. Was thinking of doing either Facebook ads and/or print ads in the local music rags. I have had decent luck in the past putting nice color flyers out at Guitar Center and Sam Ash and mom/pop shops.
I don't know if I should drop my hourly rate to something REALLY ridiculously low just to get bookings going, then inch them up over time again, wait to see if the advertising pays off, sell all my gear and quit the biz... lol. Any advice?
PS What is an "acceptable" rate for a project studio these days anyway... i know the economy sucks and I'm sure that's a factor.