In a special feature, Mark Haldon of Ditto Music gives his advice on how to release music online as an independent artist…
The music industry has changed drastically over recent years. More and more independent artists are breaking into the mainstream without the backing of a major label, by releasing their music to the major online stores independently.
But who’s responsible for this independent music revolution? And how can the average unsigned musician start selling and streaming their tracks online? The answer: independent music distributors.
What are independent music distributors?
Thanks to independent music distributors, it’s never been easier for unsigned acts to start selling music online and collecting royalties from the world’s biggest music stores.
Your distributor acts as a mediator between you and the major platforms. It’s just a matter of uploading your single, album or EP, paying a small fee, and watching as your tracks appear on iTunes, Spotify, Apple Music, Deezer and hundreds of other popular online stores.
However, before you even think about getting your songs live online and in front of millions of music fans all over the world, there are a couple of important thing to do…
Get a high-quality recording
It doesn’t matter how great your song is, if you don’t have a clear, high-quality recording, it’s bound to flop. While I won’t go into great detail about how to make sure you’re track sounds its best, generally you have two options.
If you’re proficient when it comes to recording, mixing and mastering music, and you have access to the right production software and microphones, a simple home recording offers an affordable way to get your track down. This is the perfect option for artists with a reasonably simple set up and a limited budget.
Alternatively, if you’ve got inadequate experience with recording and production tech, it’s probably worth hiring a producer. With a decent budget behind you, you could head to a local studio and pay to have your track professionally recorded. Remember, you get what you pay for in the studio, so might have to shell out to make sure your finished song is as polished as possible.
A talented producer will be able to bring out the best in your music, but may cost you
Create your album artwork
You’ll also need to produce some eye-catching album artwork to upload with your music. Album art is more important than you might think, as it’s the first impression you give to a potential listener, and can be major factor for music fans deciding whether to check out your track.
Your artwork will need to be 3000 x 3000 pixels in size, and represent you as an artist. Don’t rush it though! An impressive and professional-looking album cover can help you stand out in the crowd.
How do I choose a distributor?
Once your music is ready to release, it’s time to find an independent music distributor, sometimes referred to as a music aggregator. There are many distributors out there, so make sure to shop around, do your research and don’t miss out on the best deal for you.
There are few important things to look out for when choosing a distributor. Firstly, you’ll want to make sure you’re getting a good deal on your royalty payments. Some distributors will only release your music online in return for a cut of your royalties, which, depending on their business model, can cost you up to 15% of your pay outs. Other companies, however, will allow you to keep 100% of everything you earn.
Then there’s the sales and promotional services on offer. The most effective distributors will provide optional tools like iTunes pre-release, SMS pre-order and worldwide chart registration. These can help to boost your sales total ahead of your official release date and, if you sell enough, make your track eligible to enter the official charts all over the world.
Another important aspect of independent distribution that’s often overlooked is artist support. Does your distributor have a phone number and clear contact details on their website? If not, it could be a sign that the company prefers to keep their clients at a distance, which is bad news should the unfortunate happen and something goes wrong with your release.
Now you know what to expect from your distributor, let’s talk royalties.
How much will I earn in royalties?
Music can be a harsh industry, and it’s well documented how little the major music stores pay artists. So realistically, you won’t be retiring on you royalty payments any time soon, especially if you’re an unsigned artist without the promotional power that a major label can provide.
Even James Blunt finds himself frustrated by royalty payment rates
The world’s most popular streaming platform Spotify pays out around $0.0011 per stream, and iTunes doesn’t offer much more than that per download, so unless you’re racking up hundreds of thousands of streams (which is entirely possible in the long run!), your pay outs are more likely to cover the cost of a night out rather than a new car.
What are the benefits of releasing independently?
Your royalty payments won’t make you rich overnight, but that doesn’t mean there aren’t other significant benefits to getting your music live on iTunes, Spotify and other music stores.
One of the main reasons to release your tracks online is to increase your credibility. A profile page and a back catalogue of songs on the major music stores gives you a legitimate face as an artist or band, and is certain to make potential fans take your music more seriously.
Also, if you’ve got big ambitions and you’re hoping to get signed by the majors in the future, a successful independent music career is essential. These days, record labels will only sign acts who already have a considerable following. An artist’s total Spotify streams is often a key factor for labels deciding whether to sign a deal with new talent.
Get started now!
Once you’ve got your tracks ready to release, there’s nothing stopping you from getting them out to fans across the globe on Spotify, iTunes and more. In fact, you can get started right now with Ditto Music. Just sign up, upload your tracks and see where your music can take you!
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