Music Distribution 101

Want to get your record out into the world? Digital music distribution is the answer.

Music distribution is the link between musicians, songwriters and future fans. But what does it mean?

In the past, record labels signed artists to a recording contract and distributed them via bricks and mortar stores. By 2000, physical album sales had declined 45 percent due to the online music boom and file sharing piracy.

Now, digital music distribution is available to all independent artists. In 2017, digital streams claimed 54% of the overall music revenue. It’s the best way to promote music online, build and grow a fan base, and increase sales globally. Smart digital distribution gets your music to as many listeners as possible, in as many countries as possible.

How music distribution works

Independent artists cannot upload directly to Apple music, Spotify or Google Play, but can be published through a music distributor or aggregator.

What do I do?

·       Contact the music distribution company online.

·       Check out their website.

·       They will outline fees and charges and the % of royalties returned to the artist. Terms and conditions vary widely and you need to choose a distributor who sells your kind of music and can back you up with a reasonable marketing and PR plan when your release drops.

·       To submit your music you will need to fill out a form with basic info about your song, featured artists a, release date, record label, genre etc.

- Upload your music files and cover art

·       Check out the services, including major steaming platforms, PR packages and marketing.

·       An independent music distributor is a virtual record shop. Once your music is played, streamed or downloaded, the distributor pays a % royalty depending on which platform streams your music and the countries or territories it’s played in.

Which Music Distributor Do I Choose?

There are plenty of music distribution companies online;

GYROstream

CD Baby

Reverbnation

Ditto Music

Tunecore

Regardless of who you choose, keeping the rights and 100% of your royalties is key. Educate yourself on each music distributors fee structure and their terms and conditions.

Some claim they don’t take a fee but look for hidden costs. Some services increase their prices after the 1st year.

Also think about the fact about 25,000 songs are uploaded to music streaming services every day. In order to cut through, do you want your distributor to do MORE than just music distribution? At GYROstream, they offer a suite of services that help artists get noticed - including playlist pitching, PR, grant writing, and can even manufacture vinyl for your next tour (and even get you music gear insured for that tour).

Be smart

Search the music distribution companies that cater to your listeners. Search for sites where your fans hang out and let the distributor know. Budget for promotions and be clear about your goals and your audience.

Be strategic

Signing on with an independent music distributor is a professional partnership.

Create a strong presence on social media. The distributor’s marketing plan includes you - how you put yourself and your message out onto YouTube, Instagram, Twitter, Facebook and of course, your own webpage. Use socials to preview new music, showcase past songs, upload jam sessions, touring clips and anything that engages with your fans. Think about the content you post to your fans and ensure each message is engaging to your fans and takes them on your journey.

Digital music distribution has removed the traditional gatekeepers of the music industry and allows independent artists to access hundreds of millions of listeners through the rise of streaming services.

Go Digital!