Choosing the Right Music Distribution Platform
Choosing the Right Music Distribution Platform
Blog Article
The music distribution industry has changed dramatically with the shift to streaming. Distribution platforms now focus on supplying your recordings to outlets like Spotify, Apple Music, Tidal and Amazon Music (as well as many other digital services), collecting royalties, promoting your music on these outlets and managing your catalog online. They are also responsible for building your artist brand on these platforms and offering you tools to help you maximize your earnings. There are a lot of choices out there for who to distribute with, so it’s important to pick the best distribution platform that fits your goals, plan and strategy.
Choosing the right distributor for you depends on your specific needs and your budget. Many of these companies offer different plans that will suit artists of all budgets. Some will charge a one-time fee to distribute your music and some will take a 15% commission on your earnings. Some will also have additional fees such as mastering costs. Make sure you read the fine print and understand what you are getting into before you sign with a distributor. Some companies will have exclusivity clauses that prevent you from using other distribution platforms at the same time – so be sure to ask about this before signing up with a company.
Some of the bigger music distributors include CD Baby, TuneCore and DistroKid. Each of these companies has their own unique set of features and benefits that they are known for. For example, DistroKid is known for their speedy delivery to Spotify as well as their user-friendly interface and nifty “Spotify for Artists” feature. They also have a partnership with TikTok, which is a great option for those who want to reach a younger audience.
Another big player in the Music distribution platform space is AWAL. Known for their no upfront fees model and for offering label-like services to high performing artists, they are a great option for those who have confidence in their music’s ability to earn revenue. However, some artists felt burned by AWAL, as they prioritized their roster and kicked off a lot of artists who didn’t perform well enough for them to stay profitable.
Other distributors to consider include UnitedMasters and LANDR. Both of these are investment backed and have been growing quickly over the past few years. They both offer a variety of different plan options and are positioning themselves as competing with AWAL, Stem and Symphonic Distribution in the “label services” space. This includes offering advances to certain artists (with different revenue sharing models), brand partnerships and a more hands-on approach to distribution for a negotiated commission.
Lastly, don’t forget to check out smaller distributors that are open to all, such as Horus Music and iMusic. They have been flying under the radar and are a good alternative to the more popular distribution platforms. They also have an admin publishing service (a partnership with BMG) that you can use without being a distribution client for a negotiated commission. Report this page