Sorry guys, it's been more than a month :) I had a very long break from going door to door because I've been flat out recording the world's worst band and the universe's most terrible singer. But that's another story...
I've actually only been out 24 times, each session from between 2-3 hours. I stopped collecting such detailed stats on my expeditions cos it was just a pain in the bum, and I was concentrating my efforts on writing down the address of every person who bought a copy. So now I have a large database of customers who will most likely buy my next CD, I don't have to knock on every door, just go straight to the gold - so beautiful!
My average hourly rate has evened out to around AUD$110/hr
I've sold 331 CDs from door knocking
Since I began I've been getting a lot more hits on my website, and more sales on there.
Since it's release in around August 09, I've sold around 700 copies - I can only give an approximate figure because I can't remember how many I've given away to radio stations and the like. I pressed 1000 and I have 250 left, so I reckon 700 is about right!
So, it can be done (selling CDs)! I used to sit around wondering why I wasn't selling any - am I no good? Is it because I live in a backward civilization?! Nope, just get off your bum and do something about it - they won't sell themselves. I realise that my door knocking approach would only really work for music similar to mine, but with some unconventional thinking and hard work, I'm sure we could all come up with an idea that works for us to improve our music sales.
Just for some more giggles, I'll tell you about another one of my adventures...I went to the busiest shopping center in my area, found a good corner next to a cafe and a restaurant, set up a display table with my CDs on it, whipped out a chair and started playing my guitar. It was good while it lasted - I sold 3 CDs during the 20 minutes I was there until security kicked me out. It was pretty funny, I went and spoke to Center Management to try and convince them to let me say - they said they were all just laughing whilst watching the CCTV footage of this guy waltz in, pull out a table and just set up his own shop in the middle of their center! They said I was welcome to stay - but the price of some floor space at Christmas time is $1500/day. Damn.
Anyway, perseverance is the key - door knocking was annoying at the start - if I wasn't out in the 40 degree heat knocking on doors, I wasn't earning money, but it kind of snowballs. The more people I meet through door knocking/concerts, the more people know about it cos they tell their friends, ring up and request it on the radio etc. I'm now signed on to is a very small local record label, and they're going to organise and bankroll an Australian and hopefully European tour for me this year. They're also paying for my next project, in which I'll be singing (can't wait!).
Along with all this, I'm getting more work in my studio too as a result of people I've spoken to.
I guess what I'm trying to say is, you gotta make it happen. I've by no means 'made it' - not even close, but it's a start. Now I'm not worrying about where the money's going to come from for next month's rent, or worrying that my new wife is going to starve! Can't ask for much more than that, I'm making a living from music and loving it.
Happy music making.