How It Works

The predominant model for marketing & selling music via the internet (adopted by at least 99% of all emerging artists) involves creating a social network page (usually MySpace) and distributing content to the plethora of digital retailers via an aggregator. The common result of this process (illustrated in diagram 1 below) is that almost all fan data generated is retained by the social networks and retailers. Furthermore the music files inevitably find their way onto P2P networks, with nothing returned to the artist. The end result for the artist is poor fan data and few sales. The validity of the 'long tail' fails to materialise, largely due to poorly thought through technology that does not actually meet the needs of the suppliers (the artists).



The Music Glue service forces a paradigm shift which stems the loss of music via P2P and prevents the loss of valuable fan data to social networks and retailers. Music Glue pushes content onto P2P networks first which considerably increases the chance of searches returning a Music Glue ‘controlled’ track. Through a ‘light touch’ approach, fans part with personal information in return for free music or purchase DRM-free tracks directly from the artist.

In addition, artists use social networks as discovery portals only, directing fans to the Music Glue links therefore collecting and owning the fan data (instead of News Corporation). The end result (illustrated in diagram 2 below) is an extensive fan database and increased sales.



Music Glue is a unique online marketing and retail service that provides artists with all the tools required to release digital music globally in a way that engages internet savvy fans that currently expect to get their music for free.

Music Glue draws a clear delineation between promotional (free) content and purchased content. Like many other digital retailers, purchased content is delivered as unprotected MP3 files (leaving the fan to decide 'what is morally correct'). However, where Music Glue differentiates itself from all other online services is how it deals with promotional content.

Music Glue has developed a powerful marketing solution that allows artists to communicate directly with fans, via an automated web browser that appears when the track is played the first time (regardless of where they get it from, ie P2P, social networks etc). All consumer facing screens are designed by the artist including branding, language, colours and images. Furthermore the artist can control the fan's use of the content, limiting the number of plays or restricting by date; the artist has total control.

To activate promotional content, the fan must give something back to the artist. With Music Glue this is an email address, which is passed back to the artist along with their location (provided via Geo IP). For an emerging artist this data is invaluable (especially for tour planning).

Core Features:

• Free Sign Up
• Commercialise music on P2P networks
• Commercialise music on Social Networking websites
• Control wholesale and retail prices
• Create 'product offerings' that include multiple tracks, encouraging consumers to purchase albums or EPs.
• Create elaborate viral campaigns that bring the fan back to the band every time
• Gain invaluable information on fans, including email addresses, listening habits and location (city & country)
• Bring fans closer to the artist, with personalised messages and branding on all web pages.  Furthermore send out automated emails reminding fans of release dates
• Load up unlimited tracks
• Design your own flash music player, that can be added to your website, MySpace or any other social networking page
• Switch off certain countries, depending on your licensing situation
• View 'real time' reports of sales, with total financial transparency.
• Paypal, Credit card sales worldwide
• Quarterly accounting