Crowdfunding is now a common platform for musicians to raise the funds they need for their albums and one way for their campaign to get noticed among potential donors is to give fascinating incentives, the Ottawa Citizen reported.
Ottawa musician Jill Zmud's campaign on crowdfunding site indiegogo is an example. Her incentives begin typically enough. A donation of $25 gives the donor an early copy of her new disc that bears the title "small matters of life and death," autographed, of course. The perks only get more intriguing when the donations go up, the report said.
The inspiration for Zmud's album came from the songs of her late uncle Ed Clynton, who was part of a band called Witness Inc, who passed away in a car accident before she was born. No one heard his demos placed on reel-to-reel tapes until Zmud discovered them in a basement. One of the songs contained the line, "He left behind the precious things that are not too often found." Donors who give $50 get the signed copy of Zmud's album and an MP3 of one of the never-before-heard songs of Clynton, the report said.
The perks get more interesting. If donors give $100, Zmud will record a song of their choosing and of course, send the recording. A personalized lullaby to send your kids to sleep is what Zmud promises for those who will give $150. Donors intending to get married might as well contribute $750 as she will be composing their very own wedding song. If the donor wishes to see Zmud perform, a $1,000 will get her to their home to do a concert, the report said.
Zmud has also gotten her CBC Radio host Alan Neal involved in her campaign. For a $300 donation, Neal will include the donor's name in a one-act play he will write. And the main incentive for a donor that gives $1,500? Neal and Zmud together will visit the donor's home to play games, the report said.
Join the Conversation