I have also re written my music directory

Just to let you know that I have also re done the free music directory so if you are looking for A & R contacts or record labels, recording stuadios and alike make sure that you check out our website www.freemusicdirectory.com.au

I can still be found at yahoo & ninemsn thank god

For some reason my site has completely fallen off of search engine rankings with google but I am still no #1 on ninemsn & Yahoo for free music downloads .

I have noticed the same thing happen to dovada, but it would seem that, that is just an affiliate site.

Just moved my freemp3 server

If you have been looking for my freemp3 website it has just moved servers and is back online now with an extra 4gig of bandwidth so you shouldn't experience drop outs now

More ways record labels/ artists can make money without selling music downloads

Further more to my previous post, you ask any user of my mp3 download website and they will surely agree music downloads should be treated like radio and be free for the listener. All we need to do is ensure a robust revenue model is attached to this medium.

Some people have said that an ad based revenue model would be good, I disagree with this if it is a revenue model based around an ad being placed in the mp3 file itself, as it is too easy to remove.

ISP based revenue streams - I believe that this model has some merit customer A who wants to download music pays xx per month in addition to their ISP fee to access super high speed downloads etcetcetc.

Sell CD's that are really worthwhile items - this model is already working to a limited extent

Tour more - How many festivals etc etc etc have sprung up these days.

Sell more merch - It's a pitty that band t-shirts don't really become cool until the band has faded into obscurity or dies and cult status gets formed.

Competitions - Pay $5 for the chance to meet xyz artist in London etc.

Paid fan clubs - members get exclusive content, pre-book tickets, Cocktail/after parties

Why aren't Mp3 downloads treated like radio?

I run this free mp3 download website called freemp3.com.au. Currently the website exists for independent artists. I derive revenue through banner advertising for top 40 style downloads.

An artist was speaking to me the other day and he wants to charge for downloads from my site, this started me thinking. Could you imagine if you had to pay to hit record on your old getto blaster when a good song came on the radio ? What did record labels do to ensure that they still got cash? started making blank cassette tapes.

How does the artist and label get to make money if you can download their music for free ? This is the multi million dollar question. to which I believe I have the answers

1. Would you pay say $5 to see a live online broadcast of your favourite band 'jamming' or playing a live gig in another country ? I know I would and I bet millions of other people would also.

2. Would you pay $100 to chat to your favourite artist/band for 2 minutes ? I'd bet millions of people would.