Would you like to have a CD of your church's music recorded, and have it pay for itself? Many churches and independent Christian music groups have discovered that a quality recording of their music is a tremendous fundraiser, as well as a powerful ministry tool. Have you considered using your CDs as a fundraiser for your church or music group?

"For over 30 years I have been involved in praise and worship music recording . My background and roots are in praise and worship, and my recording studio specializes in producing contemporary and traditional Christian music. I have found a wonderful way for churches and independent music teams to pay for and share their recordings. Your high-quality CD of your music can be a great outreach tool and a potent fundraiser" Brian Konzelman

Music directors, Praise and Worship teams, and music ministers are making new recordings regularly, and using their CDs as a teaching tool to introduce new songs, choruses and music to the congregation. Your own unique CD recording helps your congregation learn new music, worship at home or in the car, and is a tremendous tool for promoting your church in the community. You could have a number of your own recordings available, featuring the music you love and share together as a congregation, and raise funds through the sale of your recordings. Here is how to do it:

A CD of your music already has a potential audience.Many of these would gladly buy two, three or four of your CDs for outreach and gifts, knowing that their purchase is helping raise funds for your project.

• Your music group and their families and acquaintances,
• Your local church's family and ministries,
• Your supporters, fans, relatives, fellow churches, their schools and businesses
• Those who you would like to reach with your music.

Your recording has potential for expanding your ministry and audience. Your CD can open doors for your music to reach out beyond your local network and impact a much larger audience on a regional or national scale. Other churches, groups and individuals would love to have your music made available to them. I'm sure you can think of neighbor churches in your denomination that would welcome your music recording. Many of the well known Christian music distributors and record labels started out by making recordings of their praise and worship music, and found that there was a great demand for their recorded music ministry.

It all starts with a release-quality recording of your music that is suitable for radio airplay, and sounds as good as a CD that you would buy in a record store. (Visit our SESSION PLANNING webpage for planning and budgeting information) Unfortunately many churches have spent enormous amounts of time and money on a "budget" recording that turned out poorly, working with hobby studios or trying to do the recording themselves. You don't have to reinvent the wheel. Get professional help and work with a seasoned audio professional. A professionally done release-quality recording will save you time as well as money in the long run, and result in a product that will be a blessing for years to come. For more information on how to get a great recording for the least investment check out our CHOOSING A STUDIO webpage.

Then, when your CDs have been duplicated, this is how your CD fundraiser could work:

If you have a small group or church, and sell 500 of your CDs, here is how the numbers would work. Selling 500 CDs at $15 each, your income would be $7500. That is enough to totally cover your initial order of finished CDs (about $1000) and the recording expenses (about $5500). Your CD sales have raised enough to totally pay for your recording project, you have made and marketed your own CD and made a $1000 profit.Then, when you reorder more CDs, your cost per CD is one half of the initial cost, and the net income from each additional CD you sell is pure profit.

If you are part of a larger group or church and sell 1000 of your CDs, here is how the numbers would work. Selling 1000 CDs at $15 each, your income would be $15,000. Subtract the cost of your initial order of 1000 finished CDs (about $1500) and the recording expenses (about $8000) and that leaves you with a $5,500 profit! (How much did you make from your last candy-bar or magazine fundraiser?) And remember, when you reorder more CDs, your cost per item is one half of the initial cost, and the net income from each sale is pure profit.

To listen to some examples of our recordings, visit our MP3 SOUNDBITES webpage.

To find out more about making your recordings, visit SESSION PLANNING.

For a virtual tour of our recording studio, visit RECORDING STUDIO.

To-do List.....

1. Share this information with your music director and music team.

2. Contact Brian Konzelman at Back at the Ranch Studio to discuss your project.

3. Decide the number of CDs and level of quality you feel is appropriate for your CD.

4. Select and prepare about 45 minutes of music that you would like to have on your CD.

5. Schedule and record your music at Back at the Ranch studio.

6. Distribute and enjoy the music!