National Storytelling Network Forum

mij · Joined: 23 Apr 2007 Posts: 4 Location: Boca Raton, Florida

I have been telling for about 5 years, mostly in schools, community centers, summer camps, libraries and such. Most but not all of my audiances are children.
My question is about making and selling CDs. I have Doug Lipman's marketing CD about making a professional recording and I have also seen many CD's that are not studio produced.
How does a storyteller decide now is the time? I can't afford a studio but am very tempted to make one myself. (I have some very technical savvy friends who can help. I of course am simply the creative genius.) Naturally I would sell them at all my performances, schools, camps etc. I have a number of original and folk stories that are quite popular among my young fans.
Should I wait till I can afford to do it top of the line or go with what I can now? What would you change about your recording experience if you did it again? Your suggestions and shared experiences are most welcome.
Thanks,
Mij

_________________
Mij
www.mijbyram.com
Have I got a Story for you!

healy · Posted: Fri May 04, 2007 7:13 pm Post subject:

Hi,
I bet there's stuff on www.storyteller.net or on www.story-lovers.com. One of the 1st things is to ensure that you have permission from copyright holder or multiple sources. You don't want to spend time & money if you're not able to use it.

Also I find it very helpful to put my stories onto paper. That way I can read where I need to substitute words & auditory expressiveness for what I am used to conveying through gesture, facial expression or posture. Also I can hand a copy to the sound engineer which makes it easier to do pickups in case I sneeze or my tongue stumbles. It cuts down time in studio, which then reduces cost.

Personally I much prefer stuff recorded & mastered professionally because when I'm listening it bothers me to have to constantly fiddle with the dials because the sound levels are off.

Good luck & keep us posted,

_________________
Yvonne Healy, storyteller
www.YHealy.com
810-225-2204

SeanBuvala · Posted: Tue May 08, 2007 6:09 pm Post subject: Re: CD production and sale

mij wrote:

I have been telling for about 5 years, mostly in schools, community centers, summer camps, libraries and such. Most but not all of my audiances are children.
My question is about making and selling CDs.

We're starting a new no-charge teleconferencing series at Storyteller.net, the first one is all about making a CD. Feel free to join us.

***
Storyteller.net announces our newest service: "The Storyteller.net Amphitheater Conference Room!" The free-of-charge "Conference Room" coaching calls start promptly at 6PM Pacific Time.
You can get all the information from the news article on the front page of Storyteller.net or click to the following link to go there directly:

http://www.storytellerconference.com

We'll still have the fee based TeleConferences training calls, but these "Conference Rooms" are free.

Just as an FYI,
Here’s the schedule of the next few Monday calls. Each hour-long conference includes 30 minutes of presentation followed by questions and answers as time permits.

May 21: Introduction to Producing Your First CD
Pre-register starting 5/1/2007

June 25: Artist Survival 101: Diversify Your Income
Pre-register starting 6/1/2007

July 23: Telling to Teens and Tweens: An Introduction
Pre-register starting 7/1/2007

August 27: Marketing with PostCards with Dianne de las Casas
Pre-register starting 8/1/2007

September 24: Internet Marketing for Storytellers
Pre-register starting 9/1/2007

October 22: How Event Producers Think
Pre-register starting 10/1/2007

Pre-registering is required. Directions on the site.

_________________
K. Sean Buvala
http://www.seantells.com
http://www.fulltimestorytelling.com
http://www.storytellingproducts.com