You’ve gone the whole nine yards - from creating your melodies to writing your lyrics and taking the necessary steps to have your studio-ready “release” on that hard drive or in cloud storage. The next big question on your mind is how do I get my work to potential audiences or fans across the globe beyond my family and friends?

What is music distribution? Music distribution is that channel or platform through which you get your songs from your hard drive or cloud storage to the different music platforms - usually digital. This process makes your music available for potential fans to access and listen to. In other words, these platforms help distribute and sell your music to digital music stores, also known as Digital Service Providers (DSPs) such as Josplay, an African-music-focused streaming platform, Apple, Deezer, and others.

In addition to helping you get your music out there —crossing the hurdles of geographical boundaries with minimal cost— these music distribution platforms also ensure you receive money earned and due to you from streaming and royalties payout. These platforms allow you to release your music on your terms such as release date, creative control, and pricing. You also have the opportunity to minimize the cost of distribution spend. Unlike CDs and vinyl which require production costs and logistics overhead, digital distribution platforms save you those costs. But it’s important to note that different distribution platforms have some subscription fees which they might require you pay upfront or sometimes, a recurring charge.

Distribution platforms also offer backend analytics for your releases. You'll gain insights into who is listening to your music, which tracks are most popular, how your audience engages with your music, playtime statistics, and more. This information will help you understand the performance of your releases.

It’s important to note that there are different types of music distribution platforms. According to the Label Machine, there are service distributors, aggregators, and self-distribution. The service distributors offer additional services like marketing and artist support in exchange for a higher commission. Aggregators, like The Orchard, connect to numerous digital platforms, ensuring your music reaches stores like iTunes and Spotify. They also maintain quality control for these platforms. Self-distribution companies like DistroKid, CD Baby, and Tunecore offer a basic, affordable way to get your music online. They charge a low upfront fee and minimal commissions. These platforms are ideal for independent artists starting, allowing easy uploads and distribution to major stores.

Although digital music distribution platforms provide numerous advantages, they also have limitations that can impact artists' opportunities. These limitations might feature in the scope of services offered, revenue-sharing models, fine details in contract, quality control requirements, and additional services. For a detailed comparison of different distribution platforms, you can refer to the comprehensive list provided by SoundOn.

Another drawback of these music distribution platforms is their inability to assist with the collection of royalties from various sources, such as movies, internet radio playback, and other avenues beyond streaming.

So, as an artist, especially an independent artist, please do your homework before you get on board.

Discover how to distribute your music globally through digital platforms.

Digital Music Distribution: A Simple Guide for Independent Artists

Discover how to distribute your music globally through digital platforms.

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