MUSIC DISTRIBUTION EXPLAINED FOR BEGINNERS
Music distribution is one of the fundamental systems every independent artist should understand.
A distributor helps deliver music to digital platforms.
That may include major streaming and download services depending on the distributor and territory.
But one of the biggest mistakes artists make is believing distribution and marketing are the same thing.
They are not.
WHAT DOES A DISTRIBUTOR DO?
At a basic level, a digital distributor helps deliver your release to digital service providers.
That may involve:
Audio delivery.
Artwork.
Metadata.
ISRC information.
UPC or release-level identifiers.
Release dates.
Store delivery.
Royalty reporting.
Platform updates.
Specific services vary by distributor.
Read the actual terms before choosing one.
DISTRIBUTION MAKES MUSIC AVAILABLE
Imagine a store.
Distribution puts your product on the shelf.
Marketing gets people to walk into the store.
Promotion gives them reasons to care.
Public relations tells the story.
Advertising expands awareness.
Having music available does not automatically mean people will discover it.
UNDERSTAND THE BUSINESS MODEL
Distributors may use different pricing structures.
Examples can include:
Annual subscription.
Per-release fees.
Revenue percentages.
Optional service charges.
Additional promotional services.
The best distributor is not automatically the cheapest or most expensive.
Choose based on your needs.
REVIEW OWNERSHIP TERMS
Independent artists should understand:
Who owns the master?
What rights are being licensed?
How long does the agreement last?
What happens if you stop paying?
Can releases be transferred?
What revenue share applies?
Are additional services optional?
Do not click “accept” without reading.
METADATA IS CRITICAL
Metadata includes important information connected to the recording.
Artist name.
Song title.
Featured performers.
Songwriters.
Producer information where supported.
Explicit designation.
Release date.
Genre information.
Identifiers.
Incorrect metadata can create serious catalog problems.
WHAT IS AN ISRC?
An ISRC is an identifier associated with an individual sound recording.
If the same master recording is moved between distributors, preserving the correct identifier can help maintain continuity where applicable.
Do not casually create new identifiers for the same recording without understanding the implications.
WHAT IS A UPC OR RELEASE IDENTIFIER?
A release may also receive a product-level identifier.
This typically applies to the overall single, EP or album product.
Your distributor may generate these identifiers or allow you to provide them.
PREPARE BEFORE UPLOADING
Before distributing music, have:
Final master.
Correct artwork.
Exact song title.
Artist spelling.
Featured artist spelling.
Songwriter information.
Release date.
Explicit status.
Ownership information.
Marketing timeline.
Do not upload unfinished information because you are rushing.
ALLOW TIME FOR DELIVERY
Submitting a song the night before release creates unnecessary risk.
Stores may require processing time.
Metadata problems may need correction.
Playlist pitching may require additional lead time.
Marketing also needs preparation.
Upload early enough to solve problems before the public date.
DISTRIBUTORS ARE NOT ALL THE SAME
Compare:
Pricing.
Royalty structure.
Territories.
DSP reach.
Customer support.
Payment options.
Accounting tools.
Release management.
Catalog transfer capabilities.
Additional services.
Artist tools.
Make a business decision.
KEEP YOUR OWN RECORDS
Maintain independent copies of:
Masters.
Artwork.
ISRCs.
Release identifiers.
Contracts.
Statements.
Metadata.
Release dates.
Split information.
Do not depend entirely on one company’s dashboard for your career records.
MR. DOPE CHEF MOGUL TIP
Distribution is the highway that delivers the music. Marketing is what gives people a reason to travel down that highway looking for you.
IMPLEMENTATION CHECKLIST
- Compare distributors.
- Review pricing.
- Read rights and ownership terms.
- Prepare final masters.
- Prepare artwork.
- Verify metadata.
- Record ISRC information.
- Record release identifiers.
- Upload early.
- Confirm delivery.
- Keep backup records.
- Track royalties.
- Separate distribution from marketing.
- Review your distribution setup regularly.