How to Maximize Music Distribution Services
Sep 06, 2024How to Maximize Music Distribution Services
Listen up, rock stars, indie idols, and future legends: Music Distribution is Important! Whether you are dropping sick beats in your bedroom or have an album ready to go, getting those tracks to the masses is non-negotiable. That is where Music Distribution comes in! Music distribution has been a significant feature of the music industry. The objective of music distribution is to get music to retailers. However, music distribution has witnessed a lot of shift in the past few years with the music market largely becoming a digital one. That being said, not all music distribution services are made equal!
Hop in for the ride and get to know the following:
What is Music Distribution?
Before we get into the nitty-gritty of it all, let’s understand music distribution. Music distribution, in all simplicity, is making your music available to the public. This might be through various channels such as physical copies (Vinyl Records, CDs, etc.), digital downloads (iTunes, Bandcamp, etc.), or streaming services (Spotify, Apple Music, Amazon Music, etc.).
Music Distribution Services provide accessibility to your music. It can be easily accessed by a crowd, build an audience, and gain a fanbase as well. However for that to happen, the trick isn’t in getting it distributed but in making the most out of it when it gets distributed.
Therefore, indie musicians are creating music more regularly than ever before, changing from traditional release strategies such as EPs and Albums to Singles. This allows independent musicians to use multiple digital platforms to promote their releases and communicate with potential fans. Platforms like Instagram, TikTok, and YouTube foster constant music creation, with algorithms driving artists to make new music. This interaction between social media and streaming platforms directly feeds music discovery and fandom, as artists give new options for fans to engage with their music.
What is a Distribution Platform?
A Distribution Platform is your music's delivery guy. It ensures that your digital music (streaming and/or downloads) is delivered to the masses over the computer or mobile devices. These music distributors help artists distribute their music to Digital Service Providers (DSPs) like Spotify and Apple Music as well as Social Media Platforms like Instagram and TikTok.
But wait! Before you hit upload on your track, it’s better to know if your Distribution Platform is the best one for you. You’d obviously want a service that allows you to track your music and know every time your listeners press skip or replay (and one that has a wider reach and is budget-friendly)! Here are the top 5 Distribution Platforms to get you started:
- Distrokid: It is a reliable, fast, and efficient service that allows you to keep 100% of your royalties. However, you are required to stay subscribed for your music to remain live.
- Tunecore: It is an intensive and detailed service provider. It provides elaborate analytics and stats along with sync licensing and publishing services, though it charges a higher fee.
- CD Baby: It provides distribution and marketing services as well as offers physical distribution via CDs and Vinyl Records.
- AWAL: Primarily providing distribution services, it also focuses on artists who actively want to gain a following by helping them strategize with marketing and promotions.
- Amuse: It offers a free plan with basic distribution services and a pro plan with additional perks like faster payouts and royalty splits. It is known to be an artist-friendly platform.
Note: Do your research and find the Distributor that perfectly fits your demands. Compare features, prices, and advantages like you’re trying to find the right guitar—because, in a way, you are!
How does your Metadata help you?
Metadata is where things can turn out to be a tad technical but it is important to get your music heard. In the digital age of music, operating and managing music is crucial. Your metadata refers to the data associated with your music, such as the title, album, year of release, genre, and most importantly your artist name.
Accurate and complete metadata is essential for music lovers, streaming music distribution services, and music businesses. It ensures discoverability and copyright protection, optimises user experience and boosts marketing and data analysis. Flawless and up-to-date metadata information can get your music on playlists, your shows on the road, a record deal as well as get you paid timely.
Pro-Tip: Double-checking and Idiot-proofing never hurt anyone! If your song title, album, or any such information is misspelt or mislabeled, it can seriously affect your and your music’s discoverability (don’t even get me started on how tough it’ll be to get marketing done!) And always (correctly) credit the artists on your tracks!
Why is Planning Your Release Important?
As musicians, you know how integral timing is as a concept. I’m sure you wouldn’t want to release your music on a random Wednesday afternoon unless you’ve planned it that way! Your releases need an audience just like that dream tour you fantasize about. And both of those things have one factor in common- Planning!
Planning your releases gives you options to market yourself, build anticipation for the sick bangers you’re about to drop and know how much of a pull you have on a crowd (even if it's minimal- it’s a good start!). Many Distribution Platforms also provide these features and enhance them with active marketing strategies.
Engage with your distributors to know if you have a significant following in a particular region or time zone or if they can help with the marketing strategy. Releasing is the first part, make sure you continue promoting your music even after it is released!
Pro-Tip: Your Social Media is your best friend! By planning your release, you can leverage your social media by uploading teasers for your music, posts to build up anticipation, and maybe even a pre-save campaign! And guess what?! It’s free of cost.
What does Playlisting do?
Playlisting includes curating and broadcasting playlists on platforms like Spotify and Apple Music where songs are grouped on distinct themes, moods, or genres. Being featured on popular playlists can impact a song's streaming numbers, exposure, and even its position on Spotify's charts.
Playlisting gets you heard. As simple as that! Getting your songs on a popular playlist is like scoring a gig at a major music festival. But, remember you’ll have to start small here as well. Submission platforms such as Groover and SubmitLink are where the playlist curators are often found hanging out. Don’t feel shy to reach out to them. Submitting your music to independent curators such as GreaseRelease, is the way to go! A well-crafted pitch and a banger of a track can make you PITCH perfect!
Why should you Track Analytics?
The last 20 years have seen a rapid shift in music and the general consumption of music- from physical copies to digital piracy and now, digital streaming. It’s important to keep track of music and how it is performing. Streaming services like Spotify and Apple Music provide analytical tools to artists via Spotify for Artists and Apple Music for Artists.
Most of the Distribution Platforms mentioned above provide some form of analytical tracking. But, don’t be afraid- it isn’t as confusing as music theory! It is fairly easy to track which of your songs is getting the most plays or which region is your music popular in. Based on this information, you can take the next step in promoting your music or maybe consider remixing or creating different versions for those. This helps you give your music a direction to go in as well as understand your target audience.
What is Sync Licensing?
Sync licensing might sound heavy and dangerous but it is quite a cool thing to be involved in. Sync licensing is wherein your music can be selected for TV Shows, Movies, or Commercials, just like how NSYNC’s track- BYE BYE BYE was used in “The Deadpool and Wolverine” film recently.
Sync licensing can significantly boost the popularity of your music and might even get you on the map as an artist. For example, Running Up That Hill by Kate Bush boosted a 1985 track to massive popularity and fame in 2022.
Distribution platforms like Tunecore and more offer Sync Licensing Services as a part of their plans. Check with your distributor and make lucrative choices with your music.
Final Thoughts:
Distribution is a critical topic in the grand scheme of all things music. By selecting the right distributor, optimising and updating your metadata, timing your releases, and leveraging all the tools at your disposal, you can make sure that not only is your music out there but it is out there doing what it is supposed to be- being heard!
We at GreaseRelease, have a bunch of curators on our network who are looking for new & exciting music to push on their massive playlists. If you make music and want to reach a wider audience, check out our submission platform and get a chance to reach millions of listeners! Submit your tracks now!
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