Besides their core function of getting music on digital streaming services (DSPs), distributors nowadays offer extra bespoke services such as marketing and playlisting. This is especially the case for digital music distribution that aim to service independent artists.
Distributing your music digitally saves you the costs and hassle of physical distribution. It also makes it more easily accessible to your audience.
Getting Your Music Listed
When you have aย digital music distributionย deal, your music will be added to online platforms like iTunes, Spotify, Google Play, and more. These platforms are a great way to reach a broad audience and can help you generate royalties from streams and downloads.
This is why finding the right music distributor for you is essential. While it’s true that anyone can release their music on these platforms; a quality digital music distributor will help you maximize your income by ensuring your releases are correctly formatted; and your metadata meets the platform’s standards.
An excellent digital music distributor will collect the rights and royalties from all your streaming and sales activity. Then they will pay them to you, the music copyright holder. This is especially important if you are working with a flat-fee distribution service where you are still waiting to receive the exact breakdown of your earnings on each platform.
The traditional role of record labels and distributors is changing. Instead of getting physical records into stores, they are now focusing on the new ways that people listen to music. This includes platforms like TikTok and Instagram, which have become popular places to share music with a large audience. Digital distribution can greatly benefit your music career and should be part of every artist’s strategy.
Reaching a Wider Audience
Getting your music digitally distributed lets you get your tunes out to more people than ever. Instead of having to depend on a physical medium, like CDs and vinyl records, which can only be sold in one place or region at a time, with digital distribution; your music can be available in all countries and stores worldwide.
In addition, a digital distribution company can help you reach a larger audience by promoting your music on streaming and download platforms. They can also use algorithms to suggest your Digital Music Distribution theme to other users based on their listening habits; increasing the chances of it becoming a breakout hit.
However, some digital distribution services will take a cut of your royalties, so research which ones are best for you. Some will charge a fee to distribute your music and then take a percentage of your revenue, while others will only take a small upfront cost so that you keep 100% of your royalties.
A digital distributor can also help you bypass the major record labels by acting as an intermediary between you and a streaming platform. This can be helpful for independent artists, Digital Music Distribution who may need more money to sign a deal with a label that will provide distribution in exchange for a higher share of the profits.
Getting Your Music Streamed
The digital world is where the action is, and you must distribute your music to the right places to reach as many fans as possible. Digital distribution services are crucial for streaming your music on Spotify and Apple Music. They take care of all the complex uploading; metadata, and tracking Digital Music Distribution information so that you can focus on creating more music.
Streaming platforms generate royalties every time your music is playe; which is how they make money. It’s up to a digital music distributor to transfer these royalties from the platform to you, the artist or music copyright holder. They can do this for a flat per song/album fee; an annual Digital Music Distribution recurring subscription toll, or a percentage-based commission of up to 15%.
Physical Formats
Besides having the bonus of resale value; physical music formats are known; for their high-quality sound. They are also portable and can be enjoye on any device; anywhere. The downside is that they require space and can be damaged or degraded over time.
With all the pros and cons; it’s up to you to decide which type of music distribution is best for your music and lifestyle. However, whatever format you choose, remember that the joy of music is universal. So, let the music talk, whether you’re team vinyl or digital!
Getting Your Music Featured
Getting your music featured on streaming services like Spotify or Apple Music can be one of the most significant milestones for an artist. But it’s not something that happens by accident. It takes a lot of hard work and the right tools to help you make it happen.
Digital distributors help artists by acting as a sorting plant for the millions of dollars in royalties that flow from these digital platforms to the rights owners. With them, the process would be manageable for the digital service providers and the rights owners.
In addition to primary aggregation and copyrightย protection services, most digital distributors offer other bespoke perks for their clients. These can include services such as radio promotion, in-house marketing tools, and sync licensing. They’re one-stop shops for an independent artist’s needs that can save you from paying multiple companies for similar services individually.
As the industry moves towards a predominantly digital model; having a good music distribution service is essential for any artist hoping to get their music in front of listeners. Luckily, there are plenty of digital distribution services to choose from, so it’s worth taking the time to research which ones might be best for your specific needs. By selecting the right distribution partner; you can ensure that your music gets heard by the broadest; possible audience and grow as a successful; artist in this increasingly competitive landscape.