eMusic Offers 100 Free Downloads in Trial Music Subscription
eMusic is currently offering 100 free mp3 downloads [Note: the offer was updated to 25 free songs
] as part of a trial subscription to their enormous library of independent music.
Pretty cool; if nothing else, it’s a great way to get some great music, quick. Normally, customers pay for a 3, 6, or 12 month subscription, costing about $10 for every 40 mp3 downloads.
eMusic’s new promotional campaign, The eMusic Dozen, launches this summer. According to the announcement:
eMusic is unique among download services in offering a world-class team of music curators who pen authoritative, impassioned album picks, regular columns and feature stories. Its celebrated roster of curators includes such luminaries as: editor-in-chief Michael Azerrad, an acclaimed author and editor; former New York Times pop music critic Ann Powers (Rock/Pop); founding rock critic John Morthland (Blues); Pulitzer Prize-winning Justin Davidson (Classical); and No Depression co-editor Peter Blackstock.
It’s good to see independent catalogue eMusic making a solid promotional stand.
UPDATE: eMusic’s 100 song offer expired last year. The new offer is for 25 songs:
“Get 25 FREE iPod® compatible downloads from eMusic!
Choose from over 2.8 Million songs!
“
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You know, Tom, I had forgotten that eMusic used to be an “all-you-can-eat” model. How embarrassing.
I would imagine that the model caused some problems in at least these ways:
1. Perceived Diminishing Returns. A customer subscribes and starts downloading TONS of mp3s. Suddenly, the customer starts running out of ideas for what to download next…and the subscription seems to no longer be paying for itself, since the frequency of download decreases. Bam ==> “Unsubscribe.”
2. Perceived Similiarity to P2P Models. A potential customer might ask, “What’s the difference between eMusic and LimeWire/KaZaa/BearShare? P2P services also let you have all-you-can-eat, but offer a bigger catalog, and cost nothing.” Perhaps the experience was too similar to that of a P2P file sharing experience?
3. Too Good a Deal. Customers may simply have downloaded the sh#t out of the service. There was more money to be made.
The new model basically charges $0.40 per song, but forces you to commit to buying 40 tracks per month. At least you keep what you download. Does anyone know how large their subscriber base is?
-Mike B
Tom,
I forgot to ask — Did they just tell “all-you-can-eat” customers “Sorry, we’re killing this service, you can only download 40 mp3s per month”?
-Mike B
I can’t tell which artists are included in the EMusic library. The site only links to the sign up page. Does anyone know where to find this info.
Jim,
Try going to the eMusic “browse” page:
http://www.emusic.com/browse/all.html
It allows you to browse their library by genre, release date, customer ratings, artists, albums, labels, composers…etc etc.
FYI about eMusic’s “free” trial. I got screwed…so I am spreading the word to help prevent the same scenario for others.
Basically, if you go over your alloted free downloads you will be charged for a month’s service…even if it is in the “free trial” period. You would think they would cut you off, but they don’t. Instead they charge you. Nice.
eMusic is not customer service oriented. First of all, their eMusic free 25 song trial is 7 days, whereas the audiobooks trial is 14 days. I got called out of town due to an ill mother and missed the deadlines, so I got charged for both. They were not at all flexible or helpful with the situation. If you go for the free trial, note the difference in the music length and the audiobook length and be SURE to cancel before the 7 or 14 day period expires.
Well, they had to wait a while since ticking off all of their customers who used to be on the all you can eat plan in order to get some business back.