Preparing a song as a singer or independent artist is the initial step, but the real challenge lies in promoting the music. In today’s competitive music industry, reaching out to the right audience without expert help is tough. It’s important to focus on the ways a musician is promoting a new music release to ensure success. So, see how can a music distribution company help a musician.
Some singers release their songs directly on OTT platforms but do not earn a satisfactory amount. This is because they take all the responsibilities upon themselves, which might not guarantee success. If, as a singer, you don’t want to sing for charity, then approaching a music distribution company is the right way to go.
Music distributors are professionals with a vast network in the music industry. They help your music reach the target audience effectively. An established artist often has record labels to handle promotion, but for beginners, selling their music directly is tough. This is where a music distribution company can make a significant difference.
How Does a Music Distribution Company Help a Musician?
Music distributors play an essential role in an artist’s journey, helping them achieve their goals. Let’s find out how a music distribution company can help a musician:
1. Earning Royalties with a Music Distribution Company
The primary role of a music distribution company is to allocate royalties back to the rightful owner. As the music industry moves towards digital platforms, a flexible payout system is in progress for new musicians. In this digital age, musicians earn money as users play and listen to their songs.
For instance, if platforms like Spotify or Apple Music were to pay royalties directly to every artist, managing all the bank details correctly would be a huge administrative cost. Also, the right owners would not prefer to get paid individually from each portal.
Here, distributors bridge the gap by managing the royalties floating from Digital Service Providers (DSPs) to the artists. This is the core role of music distributors – getting the artist’s music out and transferring recording royalties to the deserving person.
2. Distributing Releases to DSPs with a Music Distribution Company
In modern times, it is compulsory to have a well-streamed tech pipeline to ensure the availability of the music to various sources:
- Offline listeners
- All OTT platforms
- Social Media
In today’s time, most DSPs do not allow artists to upload their music directly. For instance, Spotify recently closed the direct uploading of songs after a year of beta testing and stated that partners manage music distribution better. DSPs prefer working with distributors to avoid the chaos of managing unstandardized metadata and pay distribution.
3. Trade Marketing Through a Music Distribution Company
In the past, customers walked into record stores with millions of choices, organized by genre to help them find their music. Working with record stores to feature on premium sections was considered an achievement.
While those days are gone, the same theory still applies to OTT platforms. Users visit online streaming platforms, go to the browse section, and tap on the latest releases. The list plays the most trending songs of the week, as these songs have managed to gain maximum reach among the audience.
4. Promoting New Releases with a Music Distribution Company
A music distribution company helps promote new releases by leveraging their extensive network and marketing strategies. They ensure that your music is featured on the right platforms and reaches the right audience. This includes getting your music on popular playlists, securing media coverage, and using social media marketing to create buzz around your release.
5. Managing Metadata with a Music Distribution Company
Proper metadata management is crucial for ensuring that your music is correctly categorized and easily discoverable on streaming platforms. A music distribution company handles this, ensuring that your music’s metadata is accurate and complete.
6. Providing Analytics and Insights with a Music Distribution Company
A music distribution company provides artists with detailed analytics and insights about their music’s performance. This data helps artists understand their audience better, track their progress, and make informed decisions about their future releases and marketing strategies.
7. Offering Technical Support with a Music Distribution Company
From file formatting to ensuring your music meets the technical requirements of different platforms, a music distribution company offers technical support to ensure a smooth release process.
The Importance of a Music Distribution Company for Beginner Musicians
For beginner musicians, a music distribution company is essential for several reasons:
Access to a Wider Audience with a Music Distribution Company
Music distribution companies have established networks and relationships with streaming platforms, radio stations, and other media outlets. They can help your music reach a much wider audience than you could on your own.
Professional Expertise from a Music Distribution Company
Distributors bring professional expertise to the table. They understand the intricacies of the music industry and know what it takes to promote a new release successfully.
Focus on Creativity with a Music Distribution Company
By handling the administrative and promotional aspects of music distribution, these companies allow artists to focus on what they do best – creating music.
Financial Benefits of a Music Distribution Company
With a structured approach to royalties and revenue management, music distribution companies ensure that artists are fairly compensated for their work. This is especially important for beginners who might not have the financial acumen to handle these aspects themselves.
Choosing the Right Music Distribution Company to Help a Musician
When selecting a music distribution company, consider the following factors:
Reputation of a Music Distribution Company
Choose a distributor with a good reputation in the industry. Look for reviews and testimonials from other artists to gauge their reliability and effectiveness.
Services Offered by a Music Distribution Company
Ensure that the distributor offers the services you need, such as playlist pitching, marketing support, and detailed analytics.
Cost of a Music Distribution Company
Compare the costs of different distributors and choose one that offers good value for money. Some distributors charge upfront fees, while others take a percentage of your royalties.
Customer Support from a Music Distribution Company
Good customer support is crucial, especially for beginners. Choose a distributor that provides excellent support and is responsive to your queries and concerns.
Conclusion: How Can a Music Distribution Company Help a Musician?
A music distribution company can significantly help a musician, especially beginners, by providing the necessary tools, networks, and expertise to promote their music effectively. From earning royalties and distributing releases to DSPs to offering trade marketing and managing metadata, these companies play a vital role in an artist’s journey.
Deliver My Tune is one such music distribution company that ensures each budding artist has the opportunity to focus on their music while we handle the distribution and promotion. We provide a platform for artists to reach their audience and make a mark in the music industry.
Find out more about our services here and take the first step towards a successful music career.