If you are an independent artist who wants to release your music to the world, you need to know about music distribution companies. These are the services that help you get your music on digital platforms like Spotify, Apple Music, YouTube, TikTok, and more. But what are music distribution companies, how do they work, and what are the pros and cons of using them? In this blog post, we will explain everything you need to know about music distribution companies, without giving you examples of specific companies.
Music distribution is not a new concept. It has been around since the music industry began, when sheet music publishers needed someone to print and deliver their scores to the stores. That was the role of the distributors: getting the music into the stores.
However, as the music industry evolved, so did the role and business model of the distributors. From vinyl records to cassette tapes, from CDs to MP3s, from downloads to streaming, the distributors had to adapt to the changing formats and consumer preferences of music consumption.
Today, most of the music industry is digital, meaning that physical sales make up a small fraction of the global recording revenues. Therefore, most of the music distributors have shifted from managing supply chains to providing digital infrastructure and rights administration.
Music distribution companies work by delivering your music files and metadata (such as song title, artist name, genre, etc.) to digital service providers (DSPs), such as streaming platforms, online stores, and social media apps. These DSPs then make your music available to their users, who can listen to it, buy it, or share it.
However, distributing your music is not the only thing that music distribution companies do. They also perform other important functions, such as:
What are the pros and cons of using music distribution companies?
Using music distribution companies has many advantages for independent artists who want to reach a global audience and earn money from their music. Some of the pros are:
However, using music distribution companies also has some drawbacks that you should be aware of. Some of the cons are:
Are there any alternatives to using music distribution companies?
If you don't want to use a music distribution company, you have some alternatives that you can consider. However, these alternatives may not be suitable for everyone, depending on your goals and resources. Some of the alternatives are:
Using direct artist platforms: These are platforms that allow you to upload your music directly to their website or app, without going through a distributor. Examples are Bandcamp or SoundCloud. The advantage of these platforms is that they are easy to use and often free or cheap. The disadvantage is that they have a smaller reach and less features than DSPs.
Using a record label: A record label is an entity that signs artists and takes care of their music production, distribution, marketing, and management. The advantage of a record label is that they have more resources and connections than independent artists. The disadvantage is that they take a large cut of your royalties and have more control over your music.
Doing it yourself: This means that you handle everything related to your music by yourself, without any intermediary. This includes creating your own website or app, negotiating with DSPs directly, collecting royalties yourself, etc. The advantage of doing it yourself is that you have full autonomy and independence over your music. The disadvantage is that it requires a lot of time, money, skills, and contacts that you may not have.
What is the best way to achieve success with a music distribution company?
There is no definitive answer to this question, as different artists may have different definitions of success and different strategies to achieve it. However, some general tips that can help you make the most out of using a music distribution company are:
1. Do your research: Before choosing a music distribution company, compare different options and find out what they offer in terms of fees, features, services, support, etc. Choose the one that best suits your needs and budget.
2. Prepare your music: Before submitting your music to a music distribution company, make sure that your music files and metadata are of high quality and comply with the DSPs' standards and requirements. This will ensure a smooth and fast distribution process and avoid any errors or rejections.
3. Promote your music: After distributing your music, don't just sit back and wait for the streams to roll in. You need to actively promote your music to your existing and potential fans, using various channels such as social media, email, blogs, podcasts, etc. You can also use the marketing and promotion services that some music distribution companies offer, such as playlist pitching, sync placement, etc.
4. Monitor your music: Once your music is live on the DSPs, you need to keep track of how it is performing and earning. You can use the analytics and reports that the music distribution companies provide, as well as the ones that the DSPs themselves offer. This will help you measure your progress and identify your strengths and weaknesses.
5. Improve your music: Based on the feedback and data that you get from monitoring your music, you can learn from your mistakes and successes and improve your music accordingly. You can also use the additional services that some music distribution companies offer, such as mastering, licensing, etc., to enhance your music quality and opportunities.