most recent 30 from http://socialsounddesign.com 2013-05-23T20:56:41Z http://socialsounddesign.com/feeds/question/15587 http://www.creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc/2.5/rdf http://socialsounddesign.com/questions/15587/viability-of-sound-fx-library-as-income-stream Pavel 2012-10-03T05:42:21Z 2012-10-03T12:45:58Z

<p>I was wondering how viable it is to sell a custom fx library as a potential income stream. I'm trying to set expectations on how many units one is likely to sell as an independent distributor. I would be doing this on my own website not through any 3rd party site. Assuming promotion is not completely incompetent, is somewhere between 500 to 1000 downloads a realistic expectation or way off? Does anyone have good experience selling off of their own site? I've read one post saying they typically lose money on these, so would love to hear anyone's feedback. Thanks!</p>

http://socialsounddesign.com/questions/15587/viability-of-sound-fx-library-as-income-stream/15591#15591 Chuck Russom 2012-10-03T07:22:10Z 2012-10-03T07:22:10Z

<p>500 to 1000 downloads of a single sound library? No, you're probably not going to get that. 50 to 100 downloads maybe, and it would probably take you a year to get close to that number. 10 to 20 downloads of a library is realistic. I'm not trying to be negative, just being honest. The market is just not that big.</p> <p>Now, if you're offering thousands of individual downloads or a huge collection of libraries (like 50+) you can probably start to hit those numbers with combined sales. It will be a slow climb though and you have to be in it for the long haul.</p>

http://socialsounddesign.com/questions/15587/viability-of-sound-fx-library-as-income-stream/15593#15593 Airborne Sound 2012-10-03T12:35:45Z 2012-10-03T12:45:58Z

<p>I agree with Chuck.</p> <p>A single library bundle, or perhaps 10, won't have much impact. You'll need to bulk up your library, and add to it over time. When your library grows, you'll see it take off.</p> <p>A story from my own experience: I began selling individual downloads about 6 years ago. I had 2,500 sounds. I placed them on a handful of websites. They did fine, but not spectacular. It was only years later when the amount grew over 10k that things took off.</p> <p>That's not to say you need that number of sounds. Packs work a bit differently, and in fact may be a wiser choice. However there is a tipping point. Keep at it. It is, as Chuck noted, a long haul game.</p> <p>Also, quality is important. One pack with 500 standard sounds will be less successful than an exceptional pack with 40 sounds.</p> <p>I think the market is big enough to make a go of it, but it is fairly saturated right now. Focus on rare, diligent recordings and you'll do well.</p> <p>Paul</p>