Do please take a look at some new thoughts at the bottom of The Tipsheet Info window on the left - it's the black one - under the heading THE FUTURE.

With exploding visits and posts here, we need to move on and wonder - in which direction?

I've always believed in moving forward. Entertainment USA stayed at the top of the ratings by adapting series after series. And whilst it's great that the entire global music industry logs on and reads this site, it would be even better if we could dominate the exposure and promotional areas, prompting sales and support as well as getting the executives involved.

So read my thoughts in The Tipsheet Info and then post your suggestions here.

I don`t see the need for a printed version, but I do feel the need that is required is a subscription, for an online mag and newsletters, including MP3 links.
This could also be done in a cd format,(monthly mailout?) which would replace the requirement for printed matter.
Heaven knows how much paper already goes in and out of the average office/home.
Tipsheet has incredible respect in the industry, and as a person, that has made valuable contacts from it, there must be a growing need for people like myself, to keep contacts to themselves, and whilst it is fantastic that Tipsheet is free, I would not like to see anyone, at the bottom line, building up, and helping the artistes, who may not thank the tipper financially and in person.
That all said, Tipsheet is about the music, and that is the whole point, and has allways been.
The people that check it out, are listening and reading, and not filling their minds with video, or a visual performance.
If a subscription starts....would it create a clicky environment or help the managers and pluggers or not?
I can see the dilemna you are in after reading The Tipsheet Info piece. Not an easy one, and I am sure you have already gone down the road of my thoughts.

There used to be an American website like this that promoted music, they had a "hidden" webpage which was updated monthly with the latest mp3's. I think it was either Joe Taylor or Paul Scaife that told us about it?
I don't mind the idea of a subscription but do like to get something for my money (which is why I don't subscribe to ROTD!), so as Martin says, keep it online but perhaps a monthly cd/dvd with tracks/video's/printed material on it?
Also don't harrass potential subscribers.. (I was called at midnight once by Paul Kramer desperate for me to pay the overpriced subscription fee for Hitsheet, I said no!)
Whatever way you choose I'm sure it will be interesting!

TIPSHEET / KINGOFHITS is probably the BEST site for finding original hits, which is what people are after. Unlike ROTD or HitSheet who seem to tip the odd orginal hit now and again, usually after finding on here (Orson)
Sites and printed form like Music Week are a mile behind with their news, and although a good read (for a spare 5 mins), it would be so much better if the articles you were reading was actually 'NEW' news, not something read on one of the other sites weeks before.
I agree with Martin, that a CD sent out monthly would more than suffice. I still feel to a certain extent that many in the business are still dependent on hard copies, plus the TIPSHEET has the respect from many people to actually take the CD seriously.
The thought of a TIPSHEET TV Station, which plays original and exclusive videos, unlike many of the commercial SKY channels (who play tracks when they are just about to break) would be a great idea.
A very tricky situation, as the right balance has to be found.
ROTD is an excellent site, but I truly believe TIPSHEET can become the best industry website in the world.
A&R / industry execs are so blindfolded at the moment when it comes to finding original hits, and when one is found (Orson), the job isn't done well enough on following up on their success this of course is not TIPSHEET's problem, but if the A&R / Industry can be directed to such bands in the first place, at least it means they are heading in the right direction to start with!!

JK, Tipsheet needs to be brought back to life, this forum proves it.

I agree along the lines of paperless and a mail-out CD although I wouldn't put all the eggs in one basket and rely on Myspace. If people are paying then an on-line listening method needs to be more reliable.

When you're spreading the word about great music you don't want to be restricted by penniless artistes who cannot pay or penniless music lovers who want to hear great sounds first.

It was always (and remains true) free on the Tipsheet... we simply charged the major or medium sized labels for the tracks we editorially endorsed AFTER we'd selected them; and our readers (and listeners) knew that. And we charged subscriptions for the gossip, information and other aspects.

Our integrity was always 100%.

Just as the Tipsheet board and this site are totally free for anyone to read, visit and post, unlike many other music sites which charge for different aspects of their services.

So I'm still trying to work out how to continue that ethos whilst retaining integrity and value but still can make some money from somewhere to pay for it.

I've done it before and will do it again.

Be patient. It takes time when you're getting elderly.
The big PLUS is - nobody else seems able to do it (check the collapse of the industry coinciding exactly with my personal troubles).

My old tipsheet CDs have the "tipsheet uk" spoken bit over most of the tracks.

Is it faesible to have downloads available via the website, where the free downloads have the track interrupted once or twice with the tipsheet ID and then if they want to actually have the track without the tipsheet ID, pay for the download? If the site is a membership only (free or paid doesn't matter) then it isn't actually available to the general public only members of your site.

Photographic sites have their logo across free photos (empics, getty etc) but you can actually purchase the photo without the logo.

People pay for downloads anyway and the quality of the tipsheets is certainly superior to most of the processed papp in the charts.As downloads make up huge parts of sales now, you could even get some in the charts I'm not sure how it all works but JK will that's for sure.
You're the master of knowledge when it comes to licensing and promoting JK

One suggestion would be to offer the tracks continuously and go through the back catalogue of tipsheets if possible and give people the option of which tracks to purchase or is that just too long winded, legally impossible and time consuming? The database would increase. Then when you discover a fantastic track by an unsigned band, you can browse the online database of tracks and find a few more from the past? That certainly worked for me with old tipsheet CDs


I'd certainly fork out for a choice of tracks from your past tip sheets without the Tipsheet ID on them.
Think about the eurovision anoraks and your unsigned song for europe tracks for starters!

What do you think JK ?

from people who would love the Tipsheet to return but prefer not to state it publicly!
Keep 'em coming - as Gloria nearly once said; we will revive!

Heh!

I bet that, like me, JK's had some emails from certain people who DON'T want the Tipsheet to return!

one person used to sneak into the mail room to nick one of the CD's.
One week he took the MD's and there was hell to pay.
The excitement it provoked was incredible.
If you did a good job which was praised in the TS you glowed for days.
If it slagged you off (as it seems to be doing now to Jason Iley over Orson) you slunk around like a whipping boy.
One of the reasons why some rejoiced when you "got your come uppance" JK.
But it really perked up the business.
Sadly missed. Please start it again.

My thoughts:

1. Firstly just to repeat what has been said many times before, this really has become the one essential music site these days, I hardly bother to check out the alternatives any more.

2. I'm not convinced a CD is going to add anything in this day and age. However an online equivalent would be fascinating. This online Tipsheet could include those plugs from the board that you consider worth drawing to people's attention.

3. It would be useful use this online tipsheet to consolidate some of the material currently spread over different parts of the site into a single 'digest' so that you don't have to click on all the different sections independently.

Incidentally I see no reason for people to hide their real names when asking for the Tipsheet to return, JK has served his time, I have used my real name elsewhere on the board, I only choose to remain anonymous when expressing views unrelated to my own projects.

As long as it is fast, fresh, fun and lively...cool by me.

Apart from being bloody annoying when you slagged my hits you did a great job. Printed form wouldn't work now, it would be about as useful as Music Week. Also as so much of the gossip/info etc. is on here weeks before the others, it's key is being fresh, upfront and essential reading throughout a 24 hour period. The continual updates make it like the evolving editions of a paper during the course of a day.
Why not have a stand alone site with a subscription based listening section where potential hits/videos are available to stream or download.Surely it wouldn't be too much of a problem in that most of the stuff would be available on loads of sites illegally anyway! You could charge potential 'hits' to be included(if it was on a major) but not like ROTD where you can 'Buy' the record of the day.Within the site include all the background info as on Tip Sheet, gossip, reviews etc.
You're already miles ahead in terms of gossip, tips, midweeks etc. so it would just be a case of strengthening what you're already doing here.

You may be able to keep it free by using advertising on the site.
It should be quite easy to sign up to a adsense-style scheme and make sure the adverts are targeted closely to what you believe is acceptable and fits with the sites philosophy.
Lots of visitors advertisers like.
Donation buttons are known to work also.
Or ask Orson to donate a big cheque?.......

The Tip Sheet has a great future.

be it printed or online or broadcast or whatever.
And this is a GLOBAL demand, not just the UK.

how about having something like the player they use on www.pickandmixmusic.co.uk ?

it saves hassle and allows you to select your own playlists on a daily/weekly basis, which are then streamed when people go on your site. very inexpensive, and the tracks (if req'd) could then be purchased on higher quality mp3's?

just an idea?

As long as the general public like me can get a certain amount of access, I'm happy.

I used to look forward to my airmail arrival each week and most of the key US executives did too; I know because I saw them reading it!
Whichever way you decide, count me in.

sydney morning herald, triple m radio and my weekly tipsheet; with a nice can of beer my perfect day