We Needed A Win
It wasn’t easy, that’s for sure. Three months ago I was in Portland, Oregon with a rented camera I didn’t even know how to turn on, telling people I would broadcast a live show on a blog, without knowing if it would work. Then I said that three months later we would give away a recording of that show even though I didn’t know how. I told a record label that my company would take care of all the details. But that was only after I convinced that record label, a management company and an artist they needed to create a community and trust that it would work. They all took gambles and tonight we needed a win.
The site was built spectacularly, the word was getting spread, and we waited for the record. About a week ago we found out the company set to give away the record wasn’t going to work due to some legal issues. No problem. We can work around it. Four days ago we found out the second company set to give it away wasn’t going to work out due to other reasons. This left us with one option, and that was to build it ourselves. Had we ever built a website designed to capture emails and give away a free record? Nope. Had we ever done it in four days? Nope. Randy worked literally day and night to come up with something that was going to work, and with amazing compromise and effort from the second company, something magical happened. It was going to work. Except we still didn’t have the record.
After several frantic phone calls, and stress levels though the roof, the day was upon us. For those of you paying attention that day was today…. well yesterday if you’re paying attention to what time it is. Everything was finally set, the meeting with the label today went outstanding, and we were still waiting on the record. Turns out it takes a long time to mix things, and even longer to send them across the country via uploading.
Here’s where it gets interesting. This record was set to release at midnight Pacific Time, which meant 2:00 AM my time. By the time it was midnight my time I started to get worried. By now we had a chat going on Phil’s site with people discussing what song was their favorite and what they were looking forward to. Phil hung out there most of the night and did an amazing job cultivating the community that showed up to hang out. Randy and I worked frantically without a record still.
A few more phone calls and watching the clock the record finally arrived with just under an hour to spare. We still needed to attach the album artwork, put the songs in order, compress the record, upload the record and make sure it worked. By the time the upload started we had about twenty minutes before the release of the record. Phil was calling asking about time, as we watched the progress bar chase the clock. Once the record was uploaded we still needed to switch over to the new site and then hope that it worked.
The progress bar reached it’s end with three minutes to spare and everything was switched over but we still hadn’t tested it. We decided to go with it anyway and fix something if it broke while people were getting the record. Literally as soon as the clock hit 2:00 AM everything was switched and I started downloading a record I had never heard with a couple hundred other people. Nothing broke. Nothing crash. And I didn’t throw up. We needed that win.
I know there was a lot more to this story but if you are still reading this it’s time for you to just go get the record and enjoy it. My kids will be up in three hours and it’s time for me to wind down. Thanks for helping get the word out about this. This is the idea of community behind SkörInc. Thanks for being a part.
You guys did good!!!
Congratulations! Its cool to see what was going on behind the scenes. Thanks for all your hard work.
As a web designer and project manager I’ve had several opportunity to burn the midnight oil and get down to the wire on a project (although not necessarily one where hundreds of people were online waiting for it). I’m sure you’re exhausted.
You came through for everyone. Get some rest. Nice work.
Phew!
…. awesome!
as with brad, i know where you’re coming from. a 3am miracle, as the show “studio 60″ put it.
from the bottom of my heart, thank you guys for the hard work you’re putting in to shake up the industry and do things better/different.
the album sounds great… this will be in heavy rotation for sometime.
Great job!
Way to be man. This is awesome. I’m waiting for the download to wrap up right now.
I think your honesty and transparency in this post is refreshing. Thanks for your heart and what you’ve done. I hope that other artists take notice of the crazy number of downloads Phil’s about to experience with this CD.
Will you keep us updated with numbers as the day goes on?
[...] visionary behind Skorinc, tells of the struggles they faced trying to pull this project together in his latest blog post. It’s a pretty interesting [...]
WOW! The stuff you wouldn’t know about if it wasn’t for blogging. Congrats Brody. You guys have totally earned this.
definitely appreciate the hard work. with that under your belt, excited to see what’s next
Wow!
I think all that just makes me appreciate this album more. Mine’s downloading right now!
The download just finished and i’m excited about listening to this album. But i just want to say a couple of things: First, i wasn’t going to download this album until another blog talked about it. Somehow i wasn’t convinced to download it because you or Randy talked about it because i knew you guys were getting paid to talk about it. Second, i wasn’t too bothered by the permission-to-bother-me form that you made me fill out before downloading… i was mostly bothered by the next page that said, “thank you for subscribing to our newsletter.” I thought to myself, “Wait, i didn’t sign up for a newsletter, i just want a free album.” I guess nothing is free. I can’t decide if i gave you permission to send me a newsletter or if you tricked me. Either way, i’m excited about the album and i’m excited that all your hard work came together.
Biscuet.
Thanks for the backhanded compliment. I’d say if you don’t want the album, then don’t download it. If you have a problem with giving an email, then don’t. And as far as Randy and I getting paid to talk about it, not sure that’s any of your business, but the only thing I was paid for was to broadcast it live from the show, and to design the cover. Other than that Randy and I did this for free because we believed in it.
Like I said, thanks for the backhanded compliment and downloading the record, but I’m not going to let it slide without calling you out on here…. especially not after working for 3 months and staying up all night to give you some music.
Brody,
I think you misheard my tone. (which is the downside of a blog comment)… In NO way was i trying to give you a backhanded compliment. Believe me, i appreciate the power of grassroots marketing and i think you and Randy are both on the right track and doing great work. When i made the comment about my decision to download the album after reading about it somewhere else, that was simply to say that grassroots works. If only YOU had talked about it then i wouldn’t download, but because your efforts worked and i saw another blog talk about it then i decided to download it. I was simply trying to give you an inside look at the thought process of an everyday, normal blog reader… not one of your friends, or someone on the inside. And the part about permission to send me a newsletter, that was only meant to be constructive, not destructive. I was only suggesting that as a marketer you should be clear about what’s going on. Transparency is key. If you’re going to send me a newsletter and give me an album, great, i just want to know that up front, not after i fill out the form.
If you are still unclear about my tone, then simply accept my apology and let’s move on. I would never try to tear down your work or tell you it’s wrong. I think what you and Randy have started is going to work wonders for the christian music world. I’m for you, bro… i really am.
Many congratulations to the SkorInc team. Great work. It is so inspiring to see your vision catch fire. Well done.
Awesome job! I woke up this morning to a seamless process on a well-designed site. I’m very impressed with the site as well as the record. Great job!
Wow! Don’t you love how God just shows up at the end? Congratulations guys!!
Really really like it!
congrats man!
you guys deserve some YAZOO!
no hard feeling biscuet, I think we’re just a little cranky.
Coffee + Coffee + RedBull + Rockstar + 4hrs sleep + Coffee = ;-|
WOOO HOOO!!! Score for Skorinc!
In case you can’t tell…I am pumped up and praisin’ God for this awesomeness on your all’s behalf. I know it added extra sweat and stomach-churning for you guys, but I have to agree with CD in regards to the God showin’ up in force in the last minutes thang. I love how He always makes His plans and His hand evident, His way. Can anyone say “Miracle”?!
I have downloaded “Singalong,” listened to “Singalong,” sung along to “Singalong,” and… written my “review.” I just want to say – Outstanding work + maximum effort + 100% heart + steadfast faith + Redbull/Coffee + (of course) G O D = SUCCESS!
I love seeing how all the gifts God has placed in each of you, all the experiences and challenges you’ve each had throughout your lives, and the special people He’s brought into your circles comes together. Then, watching you each turn around and give it back in service, creativity, and passion for Christ is a privilege. So inspiring! Thank you, thank you for all you guys do. I am blessed.
Prayers and peace – Melody
Congrats man! What kind of response has there been? Any big news for Skorinc?
CD – Just wanted to give a huge shout out to you,,, You may not realize it, but the Shout Box that you use on your monday has made the interactivity on this even amazing.
Just wanted to say thanks for using it on your Blog, it’s a very handy tool.
You guys have worked very hard. I admit, I do not understand all the technical stuff. But i do appreciate hard work and diligence.
I agree, though, God came through, we must acknowledge that. He is always for you, even when it doesn’t feel like it.
Love you both, Mom
Good job guys! It worked wonderfully! Thanks for all the hard work!
you guys are awesome! there was never a doubt that this would all come together and it would be amazing! I think I told you that on that night! You and Randy make an unstoppable team & there is no limit to what you two can do! You guys rock!!:)
Way to go guys. Happy to download the album. Happier to post a link to singalong on my tiny little blog. Happiest to listen to the music and praise God.
Y’all rock!!!
[...] On May 9, they set out on a project that I believe will start a new wave of intereste in blogging and grassroots promotion. They worked with Phil Wickham to help him achieve one of his goals, and use what Skorinc does best, and the outcome was totally amazing. Here is Brody’s post. [...]
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your hard work shows.
Singalong shines.
It’s so great, Brody – thanks for all your hard work.
I am so glad that it all worked out. I have been listening to it all day long..thanks for your hard work with all that! the cd is a major blessing, and I know that it really blesses a ton of people.
That’s awesome man. Congrats on the win.
[...] few months back I saw mention of Phil Wickham on Brody’s blog. They were friends and Brody was telling folks that Phil was an awesome [...]