Why Taylor Swift Should just Shush!
I recently read an article about Taylor Swift fighting back against Apple by refusing to offer her music for free. The article is here for folks that may like to read it:
http://abcnews.go.com/Business/taylor-swift-convinced-apple-change-mind-artist-pay/story?id=31938812
As an indie author, I understand the frustration at offering work for free. While I’d much rather distribute my work for profit from the beginning of a book release, it is near impossible for an indie author to compete with mainstream writers.
Amazon and Apple have changed the landscape for authors and artists by allowing them to distribute their works on their platforms, thereby providing potential customers who want to read or listen to new voices visibility to the independent artists and authors.
I have released two books now, Conduit: The Beginning and Beautiful People. I have held many free drives for my ebooks and have been happy with the results. I’ve managed to distribute my work to thousands of people I never dreamed I could have reached without the help of free promotions. I have seen sales as a result of free promotions.
Taylor Swift is a very successful singer. She is lucky to have reached the heights she has realized. She is also a great example of corporate greed. Her platform is based on traditional means – just like so many of the mainstream writers. Her crying at giving away some of her music for free, is not something I applaud her for.
While so many people line up behind her – defending her with the false idea that she is protecting artist’s rights – I’m concerned she is fighting to take away the ability for new authors and artists to build a fan base by holding free promotions. Taylor Swift’s drive is protect her profits, nothing more. Taylor Swift is concerned about Taylor Swift, not a new artist or author.
While Apple and Amazon provide a method for indie authors and artists to distribute their works for free, Taylor Swift attacking the companies for shortchanging the artist is built on a false base. It is the consumer that drives Apple and Amazon to push for free distribution of work. The consumer downloads the product, therefore, it’s the consumer that is hurting Taylor Swift. Attacking the consumer is not beneficial to her though.
Get off your tall horse Ms. Swift.
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