67mike
Well-known member
I hear the distributors are basically all a big rip off?!?
How are you handling releasing your music?
How are you handling releasing your music?
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VonBonfire
Well-known member
I went thru disc makers on the last record and they basically release it through every major digital platform i.e spotify cd baby distrokid etc etc as part of the package but it doesn't seem to do much if you aren't pushing it on broadcast and streaming radio stations. It did net a few people requesting WAV's and CD's for review and I am still waiting to hear some stuff about a possible small tour.
If you are willing to dredge up a pile of email addresses and send a few hundred emails you can def start building a network of people and places so round two should be easier. I'm hoping to hire a publicist/promoter next time who is one of the gatekeepers to XM radio which is where a lot of potential for expansion, at least, in the blues realm is. Short of that your pathway is barred off of XM radio IME. Basically it's all pay to play for the major markets outside of privately streamed stations, college radio, and NPR and NPR has been defunded so that's more limited now too.
IHateRap
Well-known member
Luckily, I'm lazy and don't have to worry about it. I knew if I stuck to my guns I wouldn't make a poor decision. Best of luck.
67mike
Well-known member
Thanks.
It seems at the moment, the music biz is at the bottom of the barrel.
It seems selling off your website might be the way to go for the near term????
Bardagh
Well-known member
It really seems like you have to use social media and streaming platforms to try and find an audience but nobody gets paid for any of it except the platforms. Nobody buys physical media other than novelty collectors (vinyl and even cassette nowadays). The other way to find some kind of audience is locally/regionally playing shows but only if you live somewhere with some kind of audience for what you play. It's funny, it's so easy to "release" music today, yet seemingly harder than ever for it to have a chance at finding an audience.
I think between the decline of physical media and the rise of AI slop, we need legislation for something like an "Artist's Bill of Rights."
I think between the decline of physical media and the rise of AI slop, we need legislation for something like an "Artist's Bill of Rights."
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VonBonfire
Well-known member
It is at the bottom of the barrel IMO. Seems like there are a lot of directions it could go right now; some good, some bad. The nature of business is constant change so you either roll with it or get out. It is much easier to get out and is something I wrestle with almost daily tbh.
I have my album for sale on my website and have yet to move a single unit that way. But having it for sale on your website is also a necessity if only for appearances sake i.e it plays into the people who control the bigger and better opportunities seeing you as doing everything you possibly can on your own. If they don't see you doing that then why would they invest in a half assed effort? Physical sales for me are already almost non-existent and what sales I do make are through live shows.
I can def say CD's just don't sell like they did even a decade ago. Ten years ago I released an EPK and sold and gave away about 250 units to interested parties before I moved out of Tampa. I'm on track to do less than half of that right now and that's with more shows, more FB likes, and greater online presence overall. It's a hard sell. On the upside, if you are able to move 1,000 CD's you did something few people will ever do and will likely begin seeing greater interest in what you are doing from those in the business.
romanianreaper
Well-known member
I just went thru this a few weeks ago and used Distrokid. We went into the studio and when we got the wav files from the producer I joined and uploaded them. Uploaded a single each day then the whole EP after that.
Super easy and took hours to be approved and start showing up places. I mention it to folks, pass out guitar picks when i'm walking around, etc. I feel like you have to be telling people about it and not just depending on them.
I have a good day job and not trying to get rich. It is just a fun hobby for my bandmates and I. We are ordering CDs soon and eventually going to do a whole album.
Super easy and took hours to be approved and start showing up places. I mention it to folks, pass out guitar picks when i'm walking around, etc. I feel like you have to be telling people about it and not just depending on them.
I have a good day job and not trying to get rich. It is just a fun hobby for my bandmates and I. We are ordering CDs soon and eventually going to do a whole album.
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VonBonfire
Well-known member
If you upload onto spotify I know you can pitch upcoming releases ahead of time to 3rd parties there for adding it to their playlists i.e some people have popular spotify accounts that just make playlists of music uploaded. If you can land on one of those popular playlists it can definitely boost your streams and overall artist profile. Might be something to think about. I def plan on trying that next go around since I have an established account now.
Corey James
Well-known member
If you want to release physical media, do a GoFundMe and spread the word amongst your friends.
When we did a CD, that at least paid for the printing of the CDs and the posters, and the T-shirts
After that, we sold a handful of CDs to people that wanted them. It took Amazon a year to sell five!
When we did a CD, that at least paid for the printing of the CDs and the posters, and the T-shirts
After that, we sold a handful of CDs to people that wanted them. It took Amazon a year to sell five!
Corey James
Well-known member
To another posters comment, I agree completely. You are not going to sell anything, unfortunately after the initial release.
It’s a hobby, regardless of how good the product is
It’s a hobby, regardless of how good the product is
stratjacket
Well-known member
Are you referring to only distribution or marketing as well?
I’ve used CDBaby for almost 20 years. I like it because you pay an initial payment and never have to pay anything again, ever. No subscription and the music stays on all the streaming services forever.
I have used Submithub to get songs placed on playlists. About 20% of playlist curators picked up my songs. I had a couple of tunes that got about 10,000 streams total, which was a success to me, not hardly any money though. I spent more money submitting than I received from streaming, but I figured that going in.
I have “pay what you want” on my web site and have not sold a single song in 8 months.
EDIT TO ADD: I view YouTube as a promotion tool, so I do not allow CDBaby to do the Content ID. This allows me or anyone to use my songs in their videos for free. Anyone who makes a video is not going to use my music if it makes a claim on their video otherwise.
I’ve used CDBaby for almost 20 years. I like it because you pay an initial payment and never have to pay anything again, ever. No subscription and the music stays on all the streaming services forever.
I have used Submithub to get songs placed on playlists. About 20% of playlist curators picked up my songs. I had a couple of tunes that got about 10,000 streams total, which was a success to me, not hardly any money though. I spent more money submitting than I received from streaming, but I figured that going in.
I have “pay what you want” on my web site and have not sold a single song in 8 months.
EDIT TO ADD: I view YouTube as a promotion tool, so I do not allow CDBaby to do the Content ID. This allows me or anyone to use my songs in their videos for free. Anyone who makes a video is not going to use my music if it makes a claim on their video otherwise.
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VonBonfire
Well-known member
Another suggestion is to research grants from your city, region, or state arts councils. Austin gives away substantial amounts every year, fueled by a hotel occupancy tax. Other places probably not as much $ but even poorer states like Mississippi still dole out grants. It can be done, I'm living proof as the city of Austin live music fund paid for almost all of my last release to the tune of about 5k.
It can be a real hassle to research the requirements, fill out all the documents, and then wait for a ruling on your application but the entire business is a hassle so what else is new. In my area there are grants handed out that can be close to and into the 6 figures.
I would recommend keeping thorough records of gigs, gig payments from clubs, payments to band members, rehearsal room costs, CD and merch sales numbers, any networking you've done with other bands/artists, any music conferences or seminars you attend, any special shows you've put on, radio stations you've received airplay on, i.e everything. Have active social media pages.
Have a clear cut plan with a thoroughly researched budget for your proposed project and clear cut goals. Show how you will further the arts both in and outside your community...all of it helps. Without saying too much I will say that if it seems discouraging...you have no idea some of utter nonsensical projects get ridiculous amounts of funding so it's worth a try for anyone serious about their music.
skoora
Well-known member
I’ve had great success posting direct, payable download links in OT and naming the files like their different Hymns based on Trump’s Journey with Christ.
BenoA
Well-known member
Distrokid. Not too expensive and will put your music on many streaming platform. Bandcamp is also interesting.
thegame
Well-known member
Squatting. I fart in key.
67mike
Well-known member
I am not concerned with physical sales. That is dealer than dead.
What I am talking about, and perhaps it usnt well known here........the distributors are changing their contracts to fuck artists even harder than before.
In fact, I don't know if there are actually any that are worth dealing with????
Anyone have knowledge of this area???
67mike
Well-known member
Thank you.
Corey James
Well-known member
Interesting thanks for sharing
romanianreaper
Well-known member
Distrokid is my only experience so can't really compare. I'm in a punk type band and everything we do is setup to not be disappointed. We've done a lot of free gigs and are just enjoying playing.
I'm nearly 56 but if I was younger and trying to "make it" I probably would be more worried, etc.
So many people are recording at home and putting stuff out. There is just crap everywhere. We try to be this over the hill punk rock band singing about getting old, etc.
stratjacket
Well-known member
If you have time, there’s a YouTube channel worth watching called Top Music Attorney. She has videos on every distributor going through their Terms of Service reading all that shit we never read.
This one goes through a bunch comparing the worst terms of service.
This one goes through a bunch comparing the worst terms of service.
