Comments on: Another Critic Tries Stomping on the Long Tail http://mediamemo.allthingsd.com/20081222/another-critic-tries-stomping-on-the-long-tail/ by Peter Kafka Mon, 06 Feb 2012 16:52:18 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.3.1 By: Liz Colville http://mediamemo.allthingsd.com/20081222/another-critic-tries-stomping-on-the-long-tail/comment-page-1/#comment-1265 Liz Colville Tue, 30 Dec 2008 15:21:15 +0000 http://mediamemo.allthingsd.com/?p=2364#comment-1265 It's true that sales are still dependent on big hits - see Jon Pareles' analysis in the NYT of indie artist Santogold selling her album rights to commercials and movie soundtracks, and MIA's song "Paper Planes" only getting big once it was featured on the "Pineapple Express" soundtrack. But it's ironic that this UK group is using MUSIC to do an analysis of Long Tail. Are they not aware of how small the pool of people who actually pay for music is?? It’s true that sales are still dependent on big hits – see Jon Pareles’ analysis in the NYT of indie artist Santogold selling her album rights to commercials and movie soundtracks, and MIA’s song “Paper Planes” only getting big once it was featured on the “Pineapple Express” soundtrack.

But it’s ironic that this UK group is using MUSIC to do an analysis of Long Tail. Are they not aware of how small the pool of people who actually pay for music is??

]]> By: Glenn Peoples http://mediamemo.allthingsd.com/20081222/another-critic-tries-stomping-on-the-long-tail/comment-page-1/#comment-1157 Glenn Peoples Mon, 22 Dec 2008 20:50:00 +0000 http://mediamemo.allthingsd.com/?p=2364#comment-1157 The web is a very valuable sales and distribution tool for creators of "albums, books, movies, etc." who need to be compensated for their work in the present tense. For out-of-the-mainstream creators, the web enables a consumer relationship that is much more difficult to create when one depends on physical shelf space. But just because it's available (i.e. way, way down the far end of the long tail) does not mean people will buy it. Awareness and popularity are critical to music sales, and neither are achieved due merely to availibility. Anderson's advice to businesses will eventually be seen as poor guidance. Hits still matter, even if overall sales are down. Nobody should settle for being 1,234,875th best because a the theory of the long tail says the future of business is selling more of less. Aggregators can monetize the long tail, but creators should continue to aim for the short head. The web is a very valuable sales and distribution tool for creators of “albums, books, movies, etc.” who need to be compensated for their work in the present tense. For out-of-the-mainstream creators, the web enables a consumer relationship that is much more difficult to create when one depends on physical shelf space. But just because it’s available (i.e. way, way down the far end of the long tail) does not mean people will buy it. Awareness and popularity are critical to music sales, and neither are achieved due merely to availibility.

Anderson’s advice to businesses will eventually be seen as poor guidance. Hits still matter, even if overall sales are down. Nobody should settle for being 1,234,875th best because a the theory of the long tail says the future of business is selling more of less. Aggregators can monetize the long tail, but creators should continue to aim for the short head.

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