Music distribution is essential for new and emerging artists to get their music out there. It can be difficult to decide which service best works with your budget, goals, and needs as an artist. That’s why we’ve created a list of the top music distribution services for new and emerging artists that you should consider when deciding to compare your options.
What Is Music Distribution?
Music distribution is the process of getting your music from its recording studio or home on the internet to streaming services, online stores, radio stations, and other outlets for consumption. It’s how musicians make their songs available to potential fans worldwide. With more people turning to streaming platforms such as Spotify, YouTube Music, Apple Music, Amazon Music, Pandora, etc., it’s important to make sure your music is available in all these places to expand your reach as much as possible.
Benefits Of Choosing The Right Service
Choosing the right music distribution service allows you to get access to features like analytics reports that give you insight into who’s listening to your music and where they’re listening from, marketing tools that help promote your releases, royalty collection so that you don’t miss out on any money owed; targeted promotion campaigns that help grow your fanbase; pre-save links so fans can subscribe directly before an album/single release; exclusive content opportunities with major labels; playlist placement opportunities with editors at major streaming services; access to additional customer support channels if needed; detailed artist profiles allowing fans easy access to keep up with you and more!
Subscription Services vs Pay-Per-Release Services
When choosing a service for releasing music digitally, there are two options: subscription or pay-per-release (PPR) services. Subscription services offer a flat fee per month or year while PPR allows you to pay only when you need it. Each has advantages depending on what model works best with your current financial situation and career goals.
Popular Subscription Services For New And Emerging Artists
Subscription services allow artists unlimited releases within a certain period (usually one month or one year). They also typically provide basic promotional tools like customizable press kits plus advanced features like real-time sales reporting & analytics insights. Here are some popular subscription models used by new and emerging artists:
– DistroKid:
This company offers unlimited song uploads per year along with customised artist stores & presave campaigns plus discounts on mastering & video production costs – all starting at $19/year!
– TuneCore:
This platform offers users unlimited digital store & streaming uploads plus YouTube monetization & SoundExchange registration fees included in their annual plans starting at $9.99/year!
– CD Baby Pro:
This service offers unlimited digital store & streaming uploads plus additional marketing tools, including playlist submission campaigns – all starting at $49 per year!
Popular pay-per-release services for new and emerging artists
Pay-per-release (PPR) models allow musicians to choose what they release without being tied to long-term contracts or incurring additional costs every time they release something new. Here are some popular PPR models used by independent artists:
– Amuse:
This platform allows users to distribute their own tracks directly through them, while providing various marketing assets such as smart links & social media embedding capabilities – all starting at $1 USD per track!
– AWAL:
This company offers extensive data tracking so users can better understand how their releases are performing, plus additional promotional opportunities and exclusive benefits through working closely with Kobalt Music Group – all starting at 10% commission per release!
The bottom line
Choosing the right music distribution service depends heavily on what suits both your short-term budget needs and your long-term career goals! We hope this overview has given readers an insight into some of the different options available when deciding how best to meet their needs when it comes to releasing music digitally – whether that be through a subscription-based model or instead paying per individual release.
