rev 2
Digital
Distribution
Sep 2017
Digital Music Distribution Service
Here some of the companies that can help you get your songs on iTunes, Spotify, Pandora, Google Play, etc.
CD Baby https://members.cdbaby.com
Tunecore http://www.tunecore.com
DistroKid https://distrokid.com
Spinnup https://spinnup.com
CD Baby:
- has numerous partners for digital distribution- one time fee- offers worldwide publishing royalty collection- offers cover song licensing, royalty accounting and payment
Spinnup:
- features talent scouts that have relationship with Universal Music; you can “push” your songs to the scouts
Tunecore:
- you keep 100% of sales revenue
Distrokid:
- you keep 100% of sales revenue
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Digital Music Distribution Service
Google Play Artist Hub
One of the ways to upload your song for digital distribution without going through CD Baby, Tunecore, Distrokid, etc. is to go to Google Play Artist Hub. The site:
https://play.google.com/artists
There is a one-time fee and you can upload unlimited tracks and albums. It is less restrictive than iTunes.
If you want to giveaway your music as a promotion, one feature that is available is the option to select " Free " for the price of a track.
Here are some things you can do while you are working on your songs. It will be good to have them done by the time you are ready for digital distribution.
ISRC
You will need this if you plan to go with CD Baby for distribution. Spinnup can issue you ISRC, not sure if you can put your own. You can even put ISRC on Soundcloud under Metadata when you upload your song.
It's better to have your own because your ISRC code is associated with your name not another company. Currently there is a $95 fee.
For more info, go to: https://www.usisrc.org
Album Cover
Envision your album cover image or art while working on your song and start preparing it.
If you need images/photos go to: http://www.istockphoto.com
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Copyright
Go to: https://www.copyright.gov/registration/performing-arts/index.html
Performing Rights Affiliation
What: http://diymusician.cdbaby.com/musician-tips/what-is-a-performing-rights-organization
BMI https://www.bmi.com
ASCAP https://www.ascap.com
SESAC https://www.sesac.com
Things you can do after the release of your song:
SoundScan
Register your song on Nielsen Soundscan. They track sales and report it to Billboard.
Go to: http://titlereg.soundscan.com/soundscantitlereg
SoundExchange
Register your song on SoundExchange. They collect digital performance royalties.
Go to: https://www.soundexchange.com
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Want to know if people like your song ?
Check out Radio Airplay. Find out how people respond to your song.
https://www.radioairplay.com/music+promotion/how_it_works
Spotify Artist
When your song becomes available on Spotify, check out Spotify Artist:
https://artists.spotify.com/guide/spotify-for-artists
Apple Music Connect for Artists
When your song becomes available on iTunes, check out Apple Music Connect:
Guide
http://diymusician.cdbaby.com/music-distribution/how-to-claim-your-apple-music-artist-page-through-connect
https://linkmaker.itunes.apple.com/images/howtoconnect.pdf
https://www.apple.com/itunes/working-itunes/connect/faq
Set-up Account
https://itunesconnect.apple.com/login
Digital
Distribution