Front page of Digg yesterday I noticed that Trent Reznor has released a new NIN album, and I’m going to break down for you really quick why he’s a genius. Let’s look at the different options he gives a visitor to the website for the album “Ghosts”.

Nine Inch Nails presents Ghosts I - IV, a brand new 36 track instrumental collection available right now. Almost two hours of new music composed and recorded over an intense ten week period last fall, Ghosts I - IV sprawls Nine Inch Nails across a variety of new terrain.

Here are your choices:

$0 Download
Ghosts I
The first 9 tracks from the Ghosts I-IV collection available as high-quality, DRM-free MP3s, including the complete PDF.
No credit card or payment information is required for this download.

Free music. It took 30 seconds to enter my email twice and get the download link in my inbox. It’s currently downloading as we speak (but is taking a while - prob a half hour on my wireless). I should note here that I AM NOT a fan of NIN; not because I don’t like the music, but just never really got into it. Now is Reznor’s chance by giving it to me for free (well, the first volume anyway).

$5 Download
Ghosts I-IV
All 36 tracks in a variety of digital formats including a 40 page PDF.

$5? for 36 songs? That’s like 3 FULL ALBUMS for some bands! That would equal $36 on itunes. WOW!

$10 2XCD set
Ghosts I-IV on two audio CDs in a six panel digipak package with a 16 page booklet.
Pre-order, to be shipped April 8, 2008. INCLUDES immediate full download in a variety of digital formats.

So let’s say I’m still one of those fans who NEEDS to have the actual cd, to hold it and feel it because they’re materialistic. Well, here ya go $10 for the double disc set. Still cheap as all hell. And you have to wait a month to get it, so you get the digital to hold you over. Why is this smart, you say? Because he’s figuring out how big of a demand there is going to be!

$70 Deluxe Edition Package
Ghosts I-IV in a hardcover fabric slipcase containing: 2 audio CDs, 1 data DVD with all 36 tracks in multi-track format, and a Blu-ray disc with Ghosts I-IV in high-definition 96/24 stereo and accompanying slideshow.
Pre-order, to be shipped May 1, 2008. INCLUDES immediate download in a variety of digital formats.

For the HARDCORE NIN fans he’s got all the bells and whistles - notice the multi-track formats, the Blue Ray, etc.

$300 Ultra-Deluxe Limited Edition Package
Includes everything in the Deluxe Edition Package, along with an exclusive four-LP 180 gram vinyl set in a fabric slipcase, and two exclusive limited edition Giclee prints in a luxurious package. Limited to 2500 pieces, numbered and signed by Trent Reznor.
Pre-order, to be shipped May 1, 2008. Limit one per customer. INCLUDES immediate download in a variety of digital formats.

And for the whacko fans he’s got the autographed vinyl in fabric slipcase. Nuts. for $300, limited. And these fans DO exist and he’ll probably sell all of them.

Let’s do some math. What if he sold all $2500 whacko fan packages? That’s um, $750,000!

That’s not even including the album sales. Already hitting a million without it.

Now, obviously not every band can sell vinyl covered in fabric to rabid fans who have money.

It’s the FREE tease with AFFORDABLE pricing for the whole package that really makes this deal shine.

And if you work hard like Trent has for 15+ years and build a solid following, then you can make a million dollars down the road.

Get the new NIN album >>