How to Find The Right Digital Music Distributor?

The choice of a distribution company is almost inexhaustible in this day and age. Of course, you’d feel overwhelmed and not quite know which one to pick. The good news is, you don’t have to stick to distribution companies. You can publish your music via several services. However, you should never publish the same songs with several companies. If you do so, your music will turn up as doubles at the different music outlets. For more details about digital distribution companies, check out the most updated review.

Read more:
https://aristake.com/digital-distribution-comparison/

What Exactly Are You Looking For?

It doesn’t matter how many companies there are. It’s far more important that you find the one that works for you. As an indie artist, you’re probably looking out for these key points:

User-friendliness and easy to use platform
Low distribution fees or none at all

To which music outlets your music will be

distributed
Commission fees
Payment processing
A good customer service
Additional services

Therefore it can be advantageous to use multiple digital distribution companies for each purpose. For example, Distrokid wouldn’t publish songs with ‘feat.’, but other companies can do.

Most User-Friendly Digital Distribution Companies

Distrokid has been famed for its easy-to-use platform. If you sign up with their services, you’ll have one sleek page on which you’ll find everything you need. On other platforms, it will be more elaborate and probably slightly confusing to some.

Since basically everyone always asks nowadays if there was an App for any purpose, some also have an App. Moreover, with an App, you can directly upload your music within mere minutes. That certainly makes publishing your music a little easier. You could publish your music on the go while you’re on a train.

The Fees Everyone Likes to Keep at a Minimum
Preferably, you may not want to pay distribution fees. But keep in mind that digital distribution companies help you to publish their music. Also, they basically work for you to get your tunes out. Hence, distribution fees are a fair fee you’d pay.

Zero distribution fees

If you just want to try out several digital distribution companies or just enter the digital music distribution scene - the free ones are a great starting point. The following don’t ask for any distribution fees:
Amuse
AWAL
Fresh Tunes
ONErpm
Soundrop
Stem
Symphonic
UnitedMasters

Distribution fees per song

These would be valuable if you just want to publish one song another digital distribution company wouldn’t in your format. Moreover, this could apply to ‘feat.’-songs you’d also like to have the option of payment splitting for your collaborators.

RouteNote is the only music distributor whose fees are based upon the number of songs you want to publish. They ask for a distribution fee of $ 10 for one song, up to six songs are charged with a fee of $ 20. Payment splitting is free with RouteNote.

Distribution fees per single or album

It might make sense to use digital distribution companies that ask for a distribution fee per single or album. So, you could publish several singles or albums with several digital distributors. Especially if you’ve recorded an album or single with a band as a one-off you might want to choose one of these:

CDBaby takes a distribution fee of $ 9.95 per single and $ 29 for an album
Spinnup’s distribution fees start at $ 7.99 for a single, $ 9.99 for an EP, and $ 29.99 for an album
TuneCore has a similar system like CDBaby, starting with $ 9.99 per single and $ 29.99 for an album

Unlimited releases for an annual distribution fee
Distrokid was the first to offer unlimited releases for a yearly fee and many more have followed:

Distrokid offer unlimited releases starting at $ 19.99 per year
With Ditto, you only pay $ 19 per year
Horus Music lets you release as many songs as you like for $ 20 a year
LANDR takes $ 89 per year, but that’d be a flat rate.
You can release as many songs with as many artists as you like. The annual distribution fee usually rises with other digital distribution companies the more you are.
Songtradr also only charges distribution fees starting at $ 20 per year

Exposure at Music Outlets

As an indie musician, you want your music to be submitted to as many music outlets as possible. The more you offer your song, the more potential exposure you gain.

AWAL, Ditto, Horus Music, RouteNote, and Symphonic submit your music to more than 200 outlets. CDBaby, Distrokid, and TuneCore still forward your tunes to more than 150 outlets. All the other ones distribute it to 100 music outlets or less. Also, it should be noted that Amuse doesn’t distribute your songs to the growing market in China and only to Tiktok and Instagram with a ‘pro’-plan. FreshTunes doesn’t distribute to Instagram.

Your Royalty Payments

At best, you’d like to be able to withdraw your royalties manually without requiring a threshold. That’s how you receive your royalties the easiest from Distrokid. However, CDBaby and TuneCore pay your royalties automatically every week. But, with CDBaby, you have to set your own payment threshold. It can be as low as you desire.

A Good Customer Service

Ditto is one that stands out in this aspect, but not in a good way. Until you’d pay them, their customer service is great. Afterward, it doesn’t seem to exist anymore. CDBaby, LANDR, RouteNote, ONErpm, and Songtradr reply the fastest to customer support emails. Distrokid takes just one business day, like TuneCore, Symphonic, Stem, and Fresh Tunes.

Parting Words on Digital Distribution Companies

Most distribution companies don’t offer any additional services. But some do. AWAL offers a label service for those who want a little more. ONErpm may also offer you a label deal if you gain enough traction. LANDR has created a network via which you can hire a recording professional. RouteNote may secretly push you as they keep a keen eye on data. So, if they notice your song has gained traction, they target tastemakers and playlist editors to add your song.

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Ari’s Take is a music business education and artist advocacy company focusing on empowering musicians to have successful careers in the new music business.

This release was published on openPR.