If you want to distribute your music, there are a lot of companies that offer music distribution services, and you can find a list of them by doing a simple search online, but Ari’s Take is one of our favorites. He offers a thorough assessment of the various distribution companies, as well as the services and pricing they offer.
Distribution companies are classified into several types, including Major Distributors, Independent Distribution Partners, White-label Solutions, Aggregators, and stand-alone services. Some companies, such as The Orchard and INgrooves, deal more with labels. This post will concentrate on independently distributing your own songs.
1. Which is the Best Distribution Company?
There is no such thing as the “best” distribution service. They all, for the most part, provide quite comparable services. What it boils down to are the additional services they may provide, the style of user interface, and the prices. Make sure you do your research to find out what works best for you.
Check their royalties collecting and payout procedures. Some companies charge a flat fee per song/album. Others may be free yet charge a higher percentage of royalties, while still others may be a combination of the two. Please read the fine print!
Once you’ve found a company that you’re comfortable with, you’ll need to send them your music and artwork. They will then handle the distribution of your music.
In no particular order, and not a complete list; DistroKid, TuneCore, LANDR, CD Baby, UnitedMasters, Songtradr, AWAL, Amuse, OneRPM, Ditto…
2. Metadata is Essential
Each song must have the necessary information in order to be properly placed and discoverable on each platform. Make sure it includes vital information like the artist’s name, album title, release date, label, track names, and genre. Follow the instructions provided by each distributor. Some sites demand that your mixes be at specific sample rates or file types. The same is true for your artwork.
You may easily choose which platforms you want your music distributed on, which geo-locations you want it to be distributed in, and when you want it to be released. You might even be able to set up pre-saves right from the distributor.
Many platforms include detailed FAQs and information on how to use their system to its fullest potential. Spend some time learning about their products and services.
3. Promote and Market Your Music
Don’t forget to advertise your song now that you’ve selected a release date!
While your distributor will get your songs into the DSPs, don’t forget to market your music! It will only be as successful as you make it, so be sure to inform your fans! Some simple recommendations include posting teasers on social media, creating 1-minute video clips, lyric videos, pitching to blogs, and organizing a fun campaign with your fans – get creative!
Check to see whether your distributor can automatically publish to playlists or TikTok. Also, make sure you’re signed up for Spotify for Artists. There are numerous methods available to assist you get your music discovered as well as techniques to grow your fanbase.
Congratulations! Your Music is Ready to be Released!
We hope you found this article to be helpful to your career. In a future piece we will go into marketing tidbits and tactics.
Which platforms have you distributed your music through? What was your experience like?
Let us know your thoughts in the comments below.
1 Comment
DJ MANTOMBOSS
Hi everyone I hope hi everyone I hope you’re doing great I’m new at this I came up with a new song I hope we will support each other to make things rise up and shine like a star in the sky god bless you I wish to be there Barcelon city music festival
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