Michael Masnick The Trent Reznor case study

Since completing his earlier major record label contract, musician Trent Reznor has been experimenting with a variety of new and unique business models for his band, Nine Inch Nails, to reach and connect with fans. This case study explores Reznor's experiments, examining what has worked and what has not - and why.
Speaker: Michael Masnick (Editor/President & CEO, Techdirt Blog/Floor64)

• Category

  Music

[cheekbrown]

You gotta play gigs, lots of them. The more gigs, the more fans. The old business model practiced by the major labels has us thinking backwards: we want the fans first, then we'll perform for them. No, we perform, we connect with fans, and we BUILD our fan base. When we build our own fan base, the majors cannot take them from us.

[HispanicImpression]

And how you generate such a fan base ? Like NIN or Tool - with QUALITY !

As long as music industry exists, quality doesn't count at all, it's all about the image. That's why shit like american idol singer get make it in America and I think that sucks...

[CHOORPYTV]

This is baloney! Trent Reznor has millions in the bank. He has a global fan base. This model will not work for 95%+ Independent musicians worldwide. Please stop encouraging musicians to give their music away for free!!!! It does not work!!! Shame on you Midem.

[0814NIK]

I see things a little different. Do you know how much more difficult American Idol is than a typical local music scene. The top singers on there don't sing out of key. Lol !

[Dwayne Logan]

i disagree. it's a different way to move through a presentation. with the speed and content of this talk i think it worked pretty well, particularly with his use of repetition

[FaithlessMessiah]

I don't know who did the subtitles, but they are horribly wrong. If the moderator sees this comment, contact me, I'd be more than happy to provide a better transcription for this video.

[laise sanches]

This is fantastisch! Wat à lesson!

[loca1xcel3b]

How brilliant is Reznor? I mean, let's think about this for a second.

[TheShatInShatter]

Basically his whole business model is that he's not a businessman. NIN isn't exactly my cup of tea, but I really admire Trent Reznor in the respects outlined in the video. He's a musician first. No exceptions.

[king crybaby]

great lyrics