Technology has always played a role in music, from the invention of the printing press to the development of the digital recording studio. In recent years, technology has become increasingly sophisticated, and musicians are exploring new ways to use it to create and share their music.

One of the most exciting developments in music technology is virtual reality (VR). VR allows musicians to create immersive experiences that transport listeners to new worlds. For example, the band Alt-J created a VR experience for their album “Relaxer” that allowed fans to explore the album’s artwork in 360 degrees.

Another emerging technology that is being used in music is augmented reality (AR). AR allows musicians to overlay digital elements onto the real world. For example, the band Imagine Dragons created an AR experience for their song “Believer” that allowed fans to see the song’s lyrics floating in the air.

Artificial intelligence (AI) is also being used in music in a variety of ways. AI can be used to generate new music, create remixes, and even write lyrics. For example, the company Jukedeck uses AI to create custom playlists for users.

These are just a few examples of how technology is being used to create and share music. As technology continues to develop, it is likely that we will see even more innovative ways to use it in music.

How Musicians Are Using Technology to Create Music

Musicians are using technology in a variety of ways to create music. Here are a few examples:

• Using digital audio workstations (DAWs) to record and edit music. DAWs allow musicians to create music without the need for expensive equipment.
• Using synthesizers and other electronic instruments to create new sounds. Electronic instruments offer a wide range of sonic possibilities that can be used to create unique and innovative music.
• Using software to create remixes and mash-ups. Remixing and mash-up are popular ways to create new music from existing songs.
• Using AI to generate new music. AI can be used to create new music that is both original and creative.

How Musicians Are Using Technology to Share Music

Musicians are also using technology to share their music with the world. Here are a few examples:

• Using streaming services to distribute their music. Streaming services make it easy for listeners to discover new music and to listen to music on demand.
• Using social media to promote their music. Social media can be used to connect with fans, to share music, and to build buzz around new releases.
• Using live streaming to perform for fans around the world. Live streaming allows musicians to connect with fans who are unable to attend their concerts.
• Using AI to personalize music recommendations. AI can be used to create personalized music playlists for listeners based on their listening history and preferences.

How to Use Technology to Enhance Your Music Career

If you are a musician, there are many ways that you can use technology to enhance your career. Here are a few tips:

• Learn how to use digital audio workstations (DAWs). DAWs are essential tools for any musician who wants to record and edit their own music.
• Experiment with electronic instruments and software. There are endless possibilities when it comes to creating music with electronic instruments and software.
• Use social media to promote your music. Social media is a powerful tool for connecting with fans and building buzz around your music.
• Live stream your performances. Live streaming is a great way to connect with fans around the world and to build a following.
• Use AI to personalize your music recommendations. AI can help you to create personalized music playlists for your fans, which will keep them coming back for more.

How Playliststreams Can Help You

If you are a musician, Playliststreams can help you to promote your music and to reach a wider audience. Playliststreams is a music promotion service that can help you to get your music featured on popular playlists on streaming services like Spotify and Apple Music.

Playliststreams has a team of experts who will work with you to create a custom marketing plan for your music. They will also provide you with analytics so that you can track the performance of your campaigns.

If you are looking for a way to promote your music and to reach a wider audience, Playliststreams is a great option. To learn more about how Playliststreams can help you, visit their website at www.playliststreams.com.

The music industry is a demanding and often stressful environment. Long hours, travel, and the pressure to succeed can take a toll on mental health. As a result, musicians are at an increased risk of developing mental health conditions such as anxiety, depression, and substance abuse.

However, there are things that musicians can do to cope with the challenges of the music industry and maintain good mental health. Here are a few tips:

• Talk about it. Don’t be afraid to reach out to friends, family, or a therapist if you are struggling with your mental health. Talking about your problems can help you to feel better and to develop coping mechanisms.
  

  Talk about mental health musician
• Take care of yourself. Make sure to get enough sleep, eat healthy foods, and exercise regularly. These activities can help to reduce stress and improve mood.
• Set boundaries. It is important to set boundaries between your work life and your personal life. Don’t be afraid to say no to work commitments that will take up too much of your time or energy.
  

  Set boundaries musician
• Take breaks. It is important to take breaks from work, even if it is just for a few minutes each day. Get up and move around, or step outside for some fresh air.
  

  Take breaks musician
• Practice self-care. Find activities that help you to relax and de-stress. This could include reading, listening to music, spending time in nature, or getting a massage.
  Practice self-care musician

If you are struggling with your mental health, there are also a number of resources available to help you. Here are a few of them:

• The National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI): NAMI is a non-profit organization that provides support and advocacy for people with mental illness and their families. They offer a variety of resources, including a helpline, support groups, and educational materials.
  NAMI resource musician
• The Jed Foundation: The Jed Foundation is a non-profit organization that focuses on mental health in college students. They offer resources for students, parents, and college administrators.
  Jed Foundation resource musician
• The American Foundation for Suicide Prevention (AFSP): AFSP is a non-profit organization that works to prevent suicide. They offer a variety of resources, including a helpline, support groups, and educational materials.
  AFSP resource musician

It is important to remember that you are not alone. There are people who care about you and want to help. If you are struggling with your mental health, please reach out for help.

In addition to the resources listed above, there are a number of other things that musicians can do to create a mentally healthy music workspace. Here are a few tips:

• Make time for self-care. It is important to take breaks from work and to do things that you enjoy. This will help you to reduce stress and to stay healthy.
• Set boundaries. It is important to set boundaries between your work life and your personal life. This means not checking work emails or messages outside of work hours, and not working on music projects when you are supposed to be spending time with family or friends.
• Find a support system. Having a strong support system of friends, family, and colleagues can be helpful in coping with the challenges of the music industry.
• Seek professional help if needed. If you are struggling with your mental health, don’t be afraid to seek professional help. There are many therapists who specialize in working with musicians.

By following these tips, musicians can create a mentally healthy music workspace and reduce their risk of developing mental health conditions.

Mixing music is the process of combining multiple audio tracks into a single, cohesive sound. It is an essential part of the music production process, and it can make or break the overall quality of a song.

If you’re looking to mix your music for a release, here are five key techniques you need to know:

1. Get a good sound source. The quality of your sound source will have a big impact on the quality of your mix. Make sure you’re using high-quality microphones and instruments, and that your recordings are clean and free of noise.

   

2. Balance the levels. One of the most important aspects of mixing is getting the levels right. This means making sure that all of the instruments and vocals are at the correct volume, and that they don’t overpower each other.
3. Use EQ to shape the sound. Equalization (EQ) is a powerful tool that can be used to shape the sound of your instruments and vocals. You can use EQ to boost or cut specific frequencies, and to create a more balanced and pleasing sound.
4. Add compression to glue the mix together. Compression is a technique that can be used to even out the volume of an audio signal. This can help to create a more cohesive mix, and to make the instruments and vocals sound more glued together.
5. Use reverb and delay to create depth. Reverb and delay are effects that can be used to create depth and atmosphere in a mix. Reverb can be used to make instruments and vocals sound like they’re coming from a specific space, and delay can be used to create a sense of movement and rhythm.
6. In addition to these five key techniques, there are a few other things you can do to improve your mixing skills:
   • Listen critically to other mixes. One of the best ways to learn how to mix is to listen critically to other mixes. Pay attention to the way the levels are balanced, the way EQ is used, and the way effects are applied.
   • Get feedback from others. Once you’ve finished mixing a song, ask someone else to listen to it and give you feedback. This can help you to identify areas where your mix could be improved.
   • Practice regularly. The more you mix, the better you’ll get at it. So make sure to practice regularly, and don’t be afraid to experiment with different techniques.

   With a little practice, you’ll be mixing music like a pro in no time!

Music is a universal language that has the power to connect people across cultures and boundaries. Throughout history, we have witnessed the magic that can happen when musicians and creatives come together to create musical masterpieces. Collaboration in music is more than just a mere coming together of individuals; it is a collective effort that requires open communication, mutual respect, and a shared passion for the art form.

In today’s digital age, technology has opened up exciting possibilities for online music collaboration. Melodee Daquilante’s book, “Worldwide Collaboration In Music: The Complete Guide To Do Online Music Collaboration,” delves into the transformative impact of the internet on the music industry. Online platforms and tools have made it easier for musicians to collaborate remotely, breaking down geographical barriers and connecting artists from around the world.

The potential for learning and growth through collaborating with musicians from diverse backgrounds and musical styles is immeasurable. Online collaboration opens up a vast pool of talent, allowing musicians to find the perfect fit for their projects and broaden their artistic horizons. Moreover, it fosters a sense of global community and understanding, transcending boundaries and enriching the musical landscape.

1. Embracing Online Music Collaboration

The digital era has revolutionized the way musicians collaborate, enabling them to create music with artists from various parts of the world. This newfound connectivity has removed the limitations of physical distance, opening the door to boundless creative possibilities. With the aid of online platforms, musicians can share ideas, track changes, and work on projects in real-time, leading to more efficient and streamlined collaborations.

Melodee Daquilante’s book encourages musicians to embrace this technological leap and explore the potential of cross-cultural collaborations. Through online music collaboration, artists can tap into a rich tapestry of diverse musical influences, rhythms, and melodies, resulting in unique and fresh compositions that transcend cultural boundaries. By actively participating in the global music community, artists can experience a level of musical growth and exposure that would have been impossible just a few decades ago.

2. Learning from Legendary Collaborations

Throughout history, numerous legendary collaborations have demonstrated the magic that can happen when musicians unite their talents. Thomas Brothers’ book, “Help!: The Beatles, Duke Ellington, and the Magic of Collaboration,” delves into the success stories of iconic musicians, shedding light on the significance of teamwork, synergy, and trust.

The Beatles’ harmonious partnership and Duke Ellington’s collaborative approach with his orchestra serve as timeless examples of how creativity can flourish when musicians support and inspire each other. In both cases, the individual strengths of each member were respected and harnessed to create something greater than the sum of its parts.

By studying these legendary collaborations, musicians can gain valuable insights into the dynamics that foster successful partnerships. Collaboration in music requires a willingness to share ideas, build upon each other’s contributions, and stay open to experimentation. When artists come together with a common goal and a mutual desire to elevate their craft, they can achieve remarkable results that resonate with audiences for generations to come.

3. Effective Communication in Collaborative Projects

As artists and creatives collaborate, effective communication becomes the cornerstone of a successful project. Corrina Thurston’s book, “How To Communicate Effectively: For Artists & Creatives,” underscores the importance of clear and open lines of communication within a collaborative setting.

Communication goes beyond just conveying ideas; it involves active listening, empathy, and the ability to understand and appreciate different perspectives. In a collaborative music project, each participant must feel comfortable expressing their ideas, concerns, and visions for the music. Regular meetings and brainstorming sessions facilitate the exchange of ideas and help align the group’s creative direction.

Miscommunication can lead to misunderstandings, conflicts, and roadblocks in the creative process. It’s essential to establish a culture of openness and trust, where constructive criticism is welcomed, and feedback is provided with sensitivity and respect. By promoting a positive and supportive atmosphere, collaborators can harness their collective creativity and produce music that reflects the shared vision of the project.

4. Embracing Roles and Responsibilities

In any collaborative music project, defining roles and responsibilities is paramount to its success. Each member of the team brings unique talents and expertise to the table, and acknowledging and leveraging these individual strengths is essential for a harmonious collaboration.

Clear role definition helps in avoiding overlapping efforts and ensures that every collaborator knows precisely what is expected of them. This clarity facilitates smooth coordination and keeps the project on track, ensuring that deadlines are met. Moreover, when musicians are given the freedom to focus on their areas of expertise, they can fully immerse themselves in their creative processes, resulting in higher-quality contributions to the project.

Collaboration in music is an exhilarating journey of collective creativity, where musicians and creatives unite to bring their shared vision to life. By embracing online music collaboration, artists can break down geographical barriers and connect with talent from around the world, enriching their creative process and broadening their horizons.

Drawing inspiration from the success stories of legendary collaborations, musicians can learn the value of teamwork, trust, and supporting each other’s growth. Effective communication and a positive atmosphere further enhance the collaborative experience, allowing for the seamless exchange of ideas and the production of exceptional music.

As you embark on your collaborative music endeavors, remember that the potential for greatness lies within the synergy of your collective creativity. Embrace the opportunities that modern technology and online platforms provide, and let your musical visions soar with the power of collaboration.

Playlist Streams offers an intuitive and feature-rich platform that caters to the needs of musicians and creatives, providing a seamless collaborative experience. Elevate your collaborative music projects with the help of Playlist Streams and unlock the full potential of your collective creativity. Together, let’s create music that transcends boundaries and resonates with audiences worldwide.

The world of music is often perceived as glamorous and exciting, but it also comes with its fair share of challenges and pressures. Musicians are susceptible to stress, anxiety, and burnout due to the demanding nature of their careers. In this blog post, we will explore the importance of mental health for musicians and discuss effective coping strategies. Drawing from valuable insights found in books such as “Touring and Mental Health: The Music Industry Manual” by Tamsin Embleton, “Mental Health in the Music Industry” by Austin Mardon, and “Burnout Recovery: 15 techniques to overcome chronic stress, regain control, restore your energy and your focus” by Amber Pierce, we will delve into practical tips to promote well-being among musicians.

Recognizing the Challenges:
Musicians face unique challenges that can significantly impact their mental health. Long hours of practice, performance anxiety, constant touring, irregular schedules, financial pressures, and the need to constantly innovate and stay relevant all contribute to the stressors they experience. It is crucial to acknowledge these challenges and understand their potential consequences on mental well-being.

Developing Coping Strategies:
1. Prioritize Self-Care: The importance of self-care cannot be overstated. Musicians must allocate time for activities that help them relax, unwind, and rejuvenate. This can include hobbies, exercise, meditation, or spending quality time with loved ones. Tamsin Embleton’s book, “Touring and Mental Health: The Music Industry Manual,” offers valuable insights into developing self-care routines specific to the demands of the music industry. Taking regular breaks, getting enough sleep, and nurturing healthy relationships are all integral aspects of self-care for musicians.

2. Seek Support: Musicians should not hesitate to seek support from professionals, such as therapists or counselors, who specialize in working with artists. Austin Mardon’s book, “Mental Health in the Music Industry,” sheds light on the importance of accessing mental health services and provides guidance on finding appropriate resources. Professional support can provide a safe space for musicians to express their emotions, gain insights into managing stress and anxiety, and develop effective coping mechanisms.

3. Practice Mindfulness: Mindfulness techniques, such as deep breathing exercises, meditation, and visualization, can help musicians manage stress and anxiety. Amber Pierce’s book, “Burnout Recovery,” offers effective strategies to restore energy and focus, promoting overall well-being. Engaging in mindfulness practices can help musicians stay present, reduce negative thinking patterns, and cultivate a sense of calm amidst the chaos of the music industry.

4. Set Realistic Goals: It’s crucial for musicians to set realistic goals and manage expectations. The pressure to achieve success can be overwhelming and lead to burnout. By setting achievable milestones and recognizing personal growth, musicians can maintain a healthier mindset and reduce stress levels. It is important to focus on personal progress rather than comparing oneself to others. By embracing a growth mindset and celebrating small victories, musicians can nurture their mental well-being while pursuing their musical aspirations.

5. Maintain a Supportive Network: Surrounding oneself with a supportive network of friends, family, and fellow musicians can provide valuable emotional support. Sharing experiences, discussing challenges, and seeking advice from peers who understand the industry’s unique demands can be immensely beneficial. Developing connections within the music community not only offers a sense of camaraderie but also creates opportunities for collaboration and mentorship.

Prioritizing mental health is essential for musicians to sustain long and fulfilling careers. By implementing strategies outlined in “Touring and Mental Health: The Music Industry Manual” by Tamsin Embleton, “Mental Health in the Music Industry” by Austin Mardon, and “Burnout Recovery” by Amber Pierce, musicians can proactively address stress, anxiety, and burnout.

Remember, seeking professional help and support is crucial when navigating mental health challenges. Additionally, incorporating self-care routines, practicing mindfulness, setting realistic goals, and building a strong support network are all key components of maintaining well-being.

As musicians continue to strive for success, it is important to remember that mental health should never be compromised. By taking care of themselves, musicians can enhance their creativity, passion, and overall enjoyment in their musical journey.

To further support musicians in their mental health journey, consider exploring Playlist Streams, a service that provides valuable exposure and assistance in reaching a wider audience. By utilizing this platform, musicians can focus on their craft while gaining the exposure they need to thrive in the industry. Visit http://www.playliststreams.com/pricing to learn more about how this service can contribute to the well-being and success of musicians.

Prioritizing mental health is a crucial aspect of being a musician. By implementing effective coping strategies, seeking support, and nurturing one’s well-being, musicians can cultivate a sustainable and fulfilling career in the music industry.

Buying Guaranteed Playlist Streams: Is It Worth It?

Spotify is the world’s most popular streaming platform, and with more than 280 million active users, independent artists are searching for ways to tap into its lucrative market. As they look for new opportunities, Spotify marketing companies are offering guaranteed playlist streams for artists and music labels that are willing to pay…

…But is it worth it?

This guide will give you more information about guaranteed playlist streams, and ultimately help you make the best decision when paying for Spotify streams online.

When Buying Guaranteed Playlist Streams Is A Bad Idea

When most marketing agencies promise guaranteed playlist streams, they are saying that they will generate artificial results to give you more royalties. In essence, they are asking you to pay them money to commit fraud.

Spotify pays royalties based on the number of people who show genuine interest in your music. If you (or the marketing agency that you hire) provide fake data that will lead to larger payments, you are not delivering the services that Spotify relies on to pay for its platform.

The last thing that you want to do is to get banned from the largest music streaming platform in the world (or worse, face legal penalties). That means that you should stay away from any Spotify marketing agency that:

• Promises you guaranteed playlist streams but won’t explain how they produce their results
• Promises you guaranteed playlist streams from bots or other artificial techniques
• Promises you guaranteed playlist streams but has a reputation for being unscrupulous

The Only Reason You Should Buy Guaranteed Playlist Streams

If you are interested in paying for Spotify streams, you should go with a company that specializes in organic marketing. Reputable marketing agencies like Playlist Streams focus on strategic partnerships, connecting recording artists, music labels, and Spotify playlist curators so they can take advantage of mutually beneficial relationships.

These companies will only promise what they can deliver – nothing more, nothing less. And as a result, you know that you are getting exactly what you pay for.

So how do Spotify marketing agencies like Playlist Streams deliver on their promises?

Playlist Streams has an online application process that allows us to vet potential clients before they come onboard. This helps us evaluate independent artists and music labels, comparing their professional goals to the resources that our company has at its disposal. If it isn’t a good match, Playlist Streams will turn the applicant down so the prospective client can find a marketing opportunity that is a better fit.

If the application is approved, we have the data to back up our guarantee. In other words, we know how many playlist streams each relationship will generate based on past experience, and we can use that information to make sure that we meet the minimum amount that we have promised you each month.

By relying on ethical practices and raw data, marketing agencies like Playlist Streams are making promises that they can keep – and changing the lives of thousands of recording artists.

Are You Ready To Make Money On Spotify?

It doesn’t matter whether you’re a new artist or a label executive:

 Playlist Streams can help you get more streams with organic marketing.

Apply now to start making money from Spotify playlists!

Apply Now

3 Things To Look For In A Spotify Marketing Agency

With more than 280 million active users, Spotify has become the world’s most popular music streaming platform. Thousands of artists have published their music on Spotify’s app – but only a fraction of them have made a living from their royalties. Approx. 40,000 tracks are uploaded to Spotify daily, and with more than 43,000 registered artists, the app has become one of the most challenging music publishing platforms to gain a following on.

As indie artists struggle to compete with chart-topping musicians and break-out stars, Spotify marketing agencies like Playlist Streams are fighting to level the playing field. If you’re looking for a marketing partner that can help you beat the odds, this guide will give you the tools that you need to choose the right agency.

3 Things To Look For In A Spotify Marketing Agency

#1 Their Spotify Marketing Campaigns Should Produce Tangible Results

One of the biggest challenges that indie artists face is getting enough streams to generate consistent royalties. Spotify marketing agencies can offer a wide range of services to meet the needs of this underserved audience, but if you are looking for a reliable partner, you should spend just as much time focusing on the results that they will provide. Do you want a specific number of guaranteed streams per month? Access to the best playlists in your genre? Meet a designated quota for followers? Get discovered by mainstream music labels?

Choose a Spotify marketing agency that will help you accomplish your own goals, and make sure that they are qualified to produce real results.

#2 They Should Rely On Organic Marketing Techniques

Of course, there are some marketing companies that promise what they can’t deliver: real streams from real people. In an era when artificial intelligence and machine learning have made it easy for marketing agencies to rip off their customers, some Spotify marketing partners are using computer-generated bots to guarantee results for their clients.

Although this may seem like a great opportunity to get your foot in the door, you should be fully aware of the consequences of using unethical Spotify marketing campaigns. If you use fake data to make a music streaming platform pay you money, you are essentially stealing. Spotify will always monitor the activity on its platform to keep artists from gaming the system. If you’re lucky, they’ll flag your account; if they catch you, they’ll ban you and your associates for life.

The only way to make sure that you abide by Spotify’s policies is to work with an agency that focuses on organic marketing – building legitimate relationships with artists, label execs, and curators that can add value to its playlists and attract listeners that will grow the platform.

#3 They Should Prepare You For The Next Stage Of Your Music Career

Speaking of growth…a good marketing agency will always focus on the next stage of their client’s career. You may be a new artist today, but if they can deliver on their promises, you will be an emerging artist tomorrow. They should have a plan to help you grow at every stage of your journey, so you can rely on their Spotify marketing campaigns for years to come.

Are You Ready To Make Money On Spotify?

It doesn’t matter whether you’re a new artist or a label executive:

 Playlist Streams can help you get more streams with organic marketing.

Apply now to start making money from Spotify playlists!

Apply Now

Historical Unmatched Royalties

In early February, the Mechanical Licensing Collective announced that it had received $424.38 million in unmatched royalties from streaming services. This included Spotify, Apple Music, Amazon Music, and other various streaming platforms. This “black box money” was reportedly paid by the streaming services to the MLC in order to get these royalties to copyright holders, songwriters, and publishers who have applied to be MLC members.

David Isrealite, National Music Publishers Association President/ CEO said in a statement after the news of this broke, “This is a massive win for music creators and streaming services themselves.”

He then spoke furthermore on the topic ““Songwriters and music publishers have for years fought to ensure they were paid accurately and fully by digital streaming services. ‘Unmatched money’ has plagued the industry and today, thanks to the Music Modernization Act, we know that it amounts to just under $425 million – not including money previously paid out in multiple million-dollar settlements. The Mechanical Licensing Collective obtaining this historically unmatched money, doing the research to find its owners, and giving copyright owners a transparent process to claim what is theirs is exciting progress that paves the way for the future growth of streaming that will benefit the entire industry.”

Moving forward, the MLC will give more information about the historical unmatched royalties in a new tab on their website titled just that “Historical Unmatched Royalties.” The MLC contains a publicly accessible database of information on musical works, and the identity and location of copyright owners. They receive reports from DSPs, collect and distribute royalties, and help identify musical works as well as their owners. If you are registered under the MLC, you will be able to submit claims for unmatched activity that relates to your musical works. If you are not registered with the MLC, get started here.

The Music Modernization Act law, dictates that the MLC must distribute unmatched royalties to the rights holders within two years. Apple Music transferred over $163 million, coming in at the highest, followed by Spotify with $152 million, Amazon with $42 million, and Google/Youtube sending $32 million.

As well as the payments, DSPs have also received over 1,800 data files totaling 1.3 terabytes of data that will all be analyzed by the MLC to pay copyright owners. Although there is still a lot of work to be done to get songwriters the money they need, according the the Artist Rights Alliance this is a huge step in the right direction.

Are You Ready To Make Money On Spotify?

It doesn’t matter whether you’re a new artist or a label executive:

 Playlist Streams can help you get more streams with organic marketing.

Apply now to start making money from Spotify playlists!

Apply Now

The Best Way To Make Money On Spotify

For millions of listeners, Spotify is the best platform for discovering new music. The average user listens to 41 unique artists per week, from Billboard 100 musicians to up-and-coming bands who released their albums at just the right time. That means that there are people who are earning millions of dollars each year, without worrying about the inherent challenges that most artists face when they try to make money on Spotify.

But what if you’re just getting started? How can you take advantage of the world’s most popular music streaming platform to make real money online?

Why Most Artists Fail To Make Money On Spotify

When Ed Sheeran, Ariana Grande, or The Weeknd releases new music on Spotify, they know that they are going to make a lot of money. Why? Because they have millions of Spotify followers, and listeners that go from other promotional channels to Spotify to stream their songs online. Their audience is fully engaged, and their music is going to get heard.

And in exchange for bringing millions of listeners to their platform, Spotify will pay the recording artist, producers, and contributors every time their songs are played. Sounds good, right?

But new artists usually have a limited fan base, and if they are fortunate, they may have a highly engaged group of friends, family members, and listeners from their communities. If the average Spotify royalty is between $0.003 and $0.005 per stream, they will be lucky if they make a dollar over the course of a year.

In an attempt to get more streams, most artists will try to grow their fan base through other digital marketing channels, promotional materials, new albums, or live performances. Others will turn to Spotify marketing agencies that guarantee streams – and use computer-generated bots to simulate the response of real listeners.

Unfortunately, none of those strategies address the real issue: Spotify will only pay you if you can get real people to listen to your music. And if you want thousands of users to listen to your songs in a short amount of time, you need to focus on the strategy that Spotify uses to promote new music in the first place.

How To Make Money From Spotify Playlists

Like many music streaming platforms, Spotify gives users the ability to choose playlists based on their musical preferences. That gives the playlist curators an enormous amount of power – they are the ones who decide which songs get approved and which ones get rejected, and ultimately, which artists get paid.

If you’re a new artist, you can use Spotify’s submission process to try to get noticed or reach out to independent curators directly. But you’re facing stiff competition: with 90% of all streams coming from approx. 43,000 registered artists, you’ll need more than a good photo and a catchy song to get their attention.

That’s why music marketing agencies like Playlist Streams are the best way to make money on Spotify – instead of using bots and fake data to try to game the system, we build lasting relationships with playlist curators. When we put your music on playlists with dedicated listeners, we can guarantee that you will get real streams, gain a larger audience, and get more Spotify royalties.

Are You Ready To Make Money On Spotify?

It doesn’t matter whether you’re a new artist or a label executive:

 Playlist Streams can help you get more streams with organic marketing.

Apply now to start making money from Spotify playlists!

Apply Now

When and How to Schedule your next release…

So you’ve just finished a track, an EP or maybe even a whole album. You’re excited and eager to get it into the hands, or more likely the ears of many. But then reality sets in and you think, when is this right time to do this, and even more daunting , HOW do I do this?

Many artists have all of the creativity and talent in the world behind them in the production and songwriting world, but distribution, marketing, and business strategy may not be their strong suit. That’s when you turn to the internet and try to piece together a plan on your own, but not to worry here’s a few tips that may help you out.

Unfortunately, when it comes to the “when” question, especially in regards to Spotify, there isn’t really a concrete calendar date that works for everything. Luckily, CD Baby came up with a tool to help artists customize a release plan. They developed a software to help generate hypothetical release plans for artists based on an estimated release date you want to shoot for. Whether you use CD Baby for distribution or not, this software is free to use.

What To Do Before Your Release

Prepare To Tell The Story of Your Release

Getting ready to tell the story includes things like gathering and creating assets. This can include things like promo material: artist bios, press photos etc. You should also prepare a pitch or press release dependent on your personal strategy. Many also schedule a release part or celebration, cheers to you!

Prepare to Distribute Your Music

Getting your music release ready takes a few more steps than just downloading that completed file. Ensure your music is mixed and mastered professionally, check out our article on :“Mixing and Mastering: Why Both Are Important!” Some prefer to mix and master their own tracks, others outsource this work to a professional. Diffusion Masters helps you unlock your best sound through their services, if you’re looking for professional quality work check them out. Prep also includes finalizing artwork, entering metadata, and delivering music to DSPs.

Prepare to Promote Your Music

Promotion is key when releasing music. This is how to expand your reach, build a loyal fanbase, and get your music heard by everyone. If you don’t think you need a music marketing agency, you should take a look at another article, 4 Reasons You Need a Music Marketing Agency. Be sure you also have your artist profiles claimed, set up a Spotify pre-save, pitch your song to Spotify Editorial Playlists, and create a smart link. At PlaylistStreams, we can help you with a lot of this. No matter what size artist you are, or what genre, through our established network of curators we work to get your music on Spotify playlists and build organic streams. We cal also help you pitch your song to Spotify Editorial Playlists. Learn more on our website about how it works.

Although that’s not everything you need to consider before a release, we are happy to share these highlights to help you set your music up for success.

Check out CD Baby’s free release plan generator here.

Music Marketing Strategies From Famous Artists

The music business is one of the most difficult industries to break into – less than 1% of all recording artists will ever find a mainstream audience; the other 99% will fight to claim a portion of the remaining market share. If you want to succeed, you need to find a way to stand out from the competition and build a loyal fan base that will support your work.

Music promotion companies like Playlist Streams can help you reach your target audience, earn more royalties, and get discovered by labels, but if you want to build a successful career, you need to consider all of the ways that you can promote yourself as an indie artist.

But don’t take our word for it! Here are three music marketing strategies from famous recording artists:

Frank Zappa | Know The Music Industry

“The whole music business in the United States is based on numbers, based on unit sales and not on quality. It’s not based on beauty, it’s based on hype…it’s based on giving presents of large packages of dollars to play records on the air.”

If you want to succeed in the music industry, you have to understand that your songs are a product, not a project. In other words, the only way that you will be able to build a successful career is if you know how to sell your singles, EPs, and albums to your target audience. Recording artists that focus exclusively on their music will not stay in business for very long.

Erykah Badu | Know How To Get Fans

“The music business is motivated by money. Music is motivated by energy and feelings.”

At the same time, you need to consider the needs of your audience. People listen to music for a variety of reasons – to connect with others, to gain self-awareness, to get exposed to new ideas, to regain hope. That’s what makes the music business so special: it relies on energy and emotion to build lasting careers. So don’t give up on the artistic side of music production; you’ll need it to develop music marketing strategies that will appeal to your listeners and future fans.

Beyoncé | Know How To Grow As An Artist

“If everything was perfect, you would never learn and you would never grow.”

It doesn’t matter whether you’re a new artist or a veteran of the music industry: you are going to make mistakes. The people who succeed know how to learn from those experiences and grow as professionals in a competitive environment. Famous artists like Beyoncé, Justin Bieber, and Demi Lovato have made choices that almost ended their careers – and used those lessons to refine their music marketing strategies and turn failure into a series of successes.

Make More Money On Spotify

It doesn’t matter whether you’re a new artist or a label executive:

 Playlist Streams can help you get more Spotify streams with organic marketing.

Apply now to take advantage of our music marketing strategies!

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Singles Vs. Albums: The Best Release Strategy For New Artists

One of the biggest challenges that new artists face is choosing the right music release strategy. Is it better to start off with a series of singles? An EP? Or to promote all of your music at once with a full-blown album?

Unfortunately, there is no one-size-fits-all music release strategy for indie artists; when choosing between singles vs. albums, every musician will have to decide which tactics will work best for their own brands. But in an era where Americans stream more than 1 trillion songs each year, there is a lot of market data to support the conclusion that singles are the best choice for emerging artists in 2020.

Singles vs. Albums: The Best Release Strategy For New Artists

For decades, full-length albums have been the hallmark of professional recording artists. Independent musicians and up-and-coming bands would release an album and profit off of record sales, live events, and promotional merchandise for years; then, once the excitement had died down, they would work on their next project.

But the rules have changed in 2020: streaming makes up approximately 80% of the music industry’s overall revenue, according to the Recording Industry Association of America. That makes Spotify, the world’s largest music streaming platform, a gold mine for artists who know how to use it.

If you are a new artist, you need to get your music on Spotify playlists in order to get more streams, increase your royalty payments, and get discovered by music labels. Unfortunately, Spotify’s playlist submission tool will only let you submit one track from each release – a huge roadblock for indie artists who want to promote an entire album.

If you are working with a great music marketing agency like Playlist Streams, your marketing partners will help you choose the best tracks for their audience. But in the meantime, you still need to decide how much music to write, produce, and record at one time.

If you have to make a choice between singles vs. albums, create a marketing plan that launches your career with a series of singles. That way, you can capitalize on Spotify’s playlist marketing system and release a full-length album with all of your tracks later on.

When To Choose Singles vs. Albums

Get Your Music On Spotify Playlists

It doesn’t matter whether you’re a new artist or a label executive:

 Playlist Streams can help you get more Spotify streams with organic marketing.

Apply now to start making money from Spotify playlists!

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Per Songtradr’s “Happy Hour’ livestream event, Touring’s Out. Now What?, CXO Victoria Wiltshire welcomed on two musicians to share their story on how they are navigating today’s world with live concerts being cancelled. The 60 minute session featured insight on cancelled concerts and the music industry’s plans moving forward. More on how Covid-19 will change the music business here.

The first guest she brings on is Lachy Doley, who has previously toured with Glenn Hughes and Joe Bonamassa, and has also released 7 albums with his own band, the Lachy Doley Group. Joining Doley, was Grecco Burrato, who has worked alongside many acclaimed artists such as P!nk, Shakira, and Sergio Mendes. Live shows being canceled have closely effected the careers of Doley and Burrato and they were happy to share their tips on navigating the new normal.

Pick Up Unfinished Projects and Explore New Earning Opportunities

With tours and concerts cancelled, every artist is looking for a new pivot and has been given the opportunity to develop new goals for their project. Both Burrato and Doley embraced this time to revisit old projects as well as embracing the new world of live streaming events. Now is the time to get in the studio and emerge yourself in production.

Another opportunity that has emerged is offering lessons. This was a pivot that Doley explored, as he had never done something like that before. This endeavor has proven to be profitable and a beneficial way to continue to make a living due to live concerts being cancelled.

Take Small Steps to Monetize Already Complete Projects

Both have taken small steps to monetize. According to Doley, “You can actually get these tiny little bits of money – they’re not much, but they’re consistent. And basically, the more that you do, then the more of those little bits are gonna add up. And eventually, maybe over another five years, those little bits may actually be enough to keep you afloat if for some reason you can’t do gigs or you choose not to do gigs.”

Another venture in relation to monetizing is getting your music on Spotify Playlists. Working with a music marketing company can be extremely beneficial, whether you are looking to promote your existing catalogue, or push a new release. At Playlist Streams we offer services to promote real streams, and real results. Using our network of established curators, we guarantee organic streams and work closely with you to achieve your music goals, no matter what size your project is. Read more about why you should be using a music marketing agency here!

Stay Active and Maintain a Positive Outlook

Creating a strong routine and setting goals for yourself are a crucial step in having a successful and positive career, this goes without saying and also applies to everyday life.

Buratto noted he never likes to be “still” in his career. Constantly having something to be working on or towards in the producing and recording realm is how he stays on top. Consistency is key to stay successful and productive at all times. Keeping busy puts you in a “good headspace” Buratto notes, even though this may be more challenging due to live concerts being cancelled.

Cultivate a Strong Digital Presence

Doley noted that he has moved to create a strong social media presence for himself, and his interactions as well as a streaming plays have proven this was a beneficial move.

Especially in times of lockdowns and stay at home orders, social media is your one and only link to interacting with fans at the moment. Creating a persona online and forming strong relationships with fans is extremely crucial.

“But really making that a huge focus and getting committed to, you know, whether it’s doing livestreams every week or just putting new material up on the streaming sites consistently. I’m almost starting to think of Spotify as just another news stream in a way,” stated Doley. “I think the more you put out there, the more people are gonna come and hopefully enjoy what you do. But you just have to be consistent and try and be as creative as you can.”

Social Media For Musicians: What You Need To Know

If you want to build a loyal fan base, social media is the best way to go. MusicWatch found that social media users are more likely to follow a musician than any other celebrity or public figure –  57% of social media users follow at least one artist or band on Snapchat, Instagram, Twitter, or Facebook. With more than 3.80 billion users across all social media platforms, independent artists have the opportunity to reach diverse audiences with organic marketing techniques.

But there are no hard and fast rules when it comes to social media for musicians, and inexperienced artists can waste time, money, and resources on ineffective marketing techniques. Here are three things that you should keep in mind when you use social media to promote your music:

Don’t Spread Yourself Too Thin

When it comes to social media marketing, most people don’t know how to get started. There are dozens of social media platforms to choose from, and the most popular marketing channels (Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, Snapchat, & YouTube) are extremely competitive. Without the benefit of expert guidance, many independent artists spread themselves too thin by creating content for all of them.

This is the best way to fail at creating social media for musicians. Each platform has a different audience and different requirements to succeed at organic marketing. For example – Facebook and Instagram are owned by the same parent company, but Instagram is a better choice for inexperienced artists because they can use hashtags to reach new audiences. Twitter also prioritizes hashtags, but the platform is designed to promote short text and video messages, while Instagram focuses on high-quality pictures, storytelling, and in-app purchases.

If you have to create multiple posts for each platform, you won’t have time to tailor your content to each audience. That means that you are wasting time and energy on posts that won’t help you gain new followers, streams, or online purchases.

Focus On Your Marketing Goals

The best way to use social media for musicians is to focus on one or two platforms that will help you achieve your marketing goals. Are you interested in gaining an organic following quickly? Instagram and Twitter may be the perfect fit. Would you like to focus on video content? Add YouTube to the mix. Are you trying to reach an older audience? The average age of Facebook and Twitter users is significantly higher than people who use Snapchat, which tends to appeal to a younger demographic. Want to sell merchandise? Instagram allows you to build an online store on your profile, and a carefully curated Pinterest board can help you reach people who are looking for new music to listen to.

The Best Social Media For Musicians

That means that everyone has their own preferences when it comes to the best social media for musicians. Don’t try to do what everyone else is doing – instead, choose the social media marketing techniques that will work best for your genre and your career.

Build A Loyal Fan Base On Spotify

It doesn’t matter whether you’re a new artist or a label executive:

 Playlist Streams can help you get more Spotify streams with organic marketing.

Apply now to start making money from Spotify playlists!

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4 Reasons You Need A Music Marketing Agency

Are you searching for a better way to promote your music online? You’re not alone – millions of indie artists are trying to tap into the $15 billion recording industry, even though the top 1% earns more than 75% of all recorded music income. That means that most musicians will never reach a mainstream audience; according to Music Marketing Manifesto, 15% of artists sell only one album per year, 33% never sell any albums at shows, and 24% of musicians have mailing lists that have less than 50 subscribers.

If you want to stack the odds in your favor, you need to hire a great music marketing agency. The best music promotion companies use statistical data and organic marketing techniques to help their clients succeed in a competitive industry. And if you are just getting started, they will work with you to develop a music marketing plan, set goals for your career, and help you achieve tangible results (like getting your music on Spotify playlists).

Here are four reasons why you should hire a music marketing agency:

You Aren’t Having Any Luck On Your Own

Like many indie artists, you may dream of becoming a famous musician. But less than 1% of all recording artists will ever reach a mainstream audience; the other 99% will struggle to make a living off the remaining market share.

If you aren’t having any luck on your own, a music marketing agency can help. Your agency will have a team of experts that can analyze industry data and create a plan for your career based on your personal needs and professional goals.

You Want To Build A Loyal Fanbase

With millions of competitors, it can be difficult for new artists to stand out from the pack. A music marketing agency can help you claim your own slice of the market – approximately 68 million people paid for music subscription services in 2015, and live music revenue has grown to more than $10 billion in the United States alone.

You’re Ready To Invest In Your Future

If you want to get results, you’re going to have to invest in the future of your music career. A reputable music marketing agency is committed to producing results for their clients, and will use the money that you give them to connect you with your target audience.

You Want The Perfect Marketing Partner

One of the most difficult things about being an indie artist is that you are in charge of every aspect of your professional career. If you hire a marketing partner to help you grow your fan base, increase your royalties, and get discovered, they will take over a lot of the tasks that can keep you from focusing on your No. 1 priority – creating new music.

Get Your Music On Spotify Playlists

It doesn’t matter whether you’re a new artist or a label executive:

 Playlist Streams can help you get more Spotify streams with organic marketing.

Apply now to start making money from Spotify playlists!

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Recently, Spotify announced a new strategy, offering to promote artists and labels through their algorithm into user’s recommendations in exchange for a “lowered promotional recording royalty rate.” This is spiking many opposing views and opinions on whether this yields a negative or positive change. For artists already struggling to make a profit off their music, this raises concerns. Although, this too can be seen as a useful tool as it opens up the doors to creators of all levels to push their visibility through radio and autoplay functions. 

The catch really is branding this as “no upfront cost.” When in reality, the small portion of revenue that exists to be made is now being sacrificed in exchange for this. The lengthy press release from Spotify also reads “Labels or rights holders agree to be paid a promotional recording royalty rate for streams in personalized listening sessions where we provided this service.”  It also states that going through with this “won’t guarantee placement to labels or artists” which begs the question is this really worth it, or is this just another ploy for Spotify to make a quick buck?

Just last week 4,000 independent artists, all members of The Union of Musicians and Allied Workers proposed a new campaign. In this campaign, they demanded that Spotify should be paying them at least 1 cent a stream. In reality, Spotify would be nothing without these artists and creators, yet they continue to be underpaid and exploited by the company due to the inequitable streaming environment. 

What does this mean for playlisting? Although this has yet to be discussed, it will be interesting to see if this has an effect on artists utilizing playlisting. In the perfect world, maybe this would drive creators to turn more to independent companies such as PlaylistStreams who utilize organic methods of driving streams. The answer to this question will remain unanswered until Spotify’s new strategy rolls out further.

To say we are living in unprecedented times would be an understatement. COVID-19 has truly not only changed the way billions of people around the world live their lives on a personal level, but it has also altered the manner in which all businesses, including the music industry, function in some material form. Before the coronavirus hit the USA the strongest in March 2020, the industry was seeing high revenues; in fact, in the first half of 2019 total revenues grew 18% to an aggregate of $5.4 billion. Additionally, streaming covered about 80% of the music business’s revenues in 2019. But once the virus’s effects began to be felt strongly as March progressed, former leading forms of revenue such as streaming and concerts were now nonexistent due to social distancing and limitations on large gatherings for the sake of public health. A six-month shutdown was estimated to cost the industry more than $10 billion in sponsorships. Though this is devastating, make no mistake, the music business is fighting back and learning how to function in the midst of this global health pandemic. No one can be sure about what the future has in store, but the one thing we can ensure is that the measures that are taken now will be pivotal in understanding how we can expect to see the industry transform in the years to come.

The Live Sector – A New Way to Engage with Fans

With bans on mass gatherings, artists can no longer perform and promote their music via the medium of a live concert performance with thousands of fans in attendance. The effects of this reality are larger than one may think as it extends to everyone that would be involved in making live performances a possibility: artists, fans, technicians, bartenders, agents, security, setup /cleanup services, and so many more.

One of the first alternatives that arose was that venues provided a live stream of artists’ performances at that venue which fans can watch online. However, the sites that offered these services quickly shut down and now artists have turned to platforms like Twitch and Instagram TV/Live to broadcast their music directly from their own homes. This medium has actually increased the audiences of a myriad of artists and recognizing the larger audience, record labels have begun to support these methods by providing artists with live stream equipment. This relatively new form of performing has also led to new forms of monetization for artists aside from the traditional viewer rates: some allow fans to purchase memberships which give them early access to exclusive content, while others even allow for unique commenting abilities. This new form of performing has actually led to musicians seeing substantial growth in their incomes.

With the reality that fans may not be able to attend large scale concerts until Fall 2021, this may be a strategy that is here to stay. Other businesses have taken note of this tool Verizon is working on bringing its services to Live Nation Entertainment in order to help organize larger virtual gatherings through which artists can showcase their music. Vivendi is also establishing a service through which artists can perform their music with their fans while also sharing exclusive musical content with them. With all the players in the field of virtual performances and online gatherings, it seems like the Internet and live streaming will be one of the alternatives we will most heavily see in the age of the coronavirus.

Advertising and Distribution

Advertising has also taken quite a substantial hit in the music industry because of the coronavirus. Nearly a fourth of all media brands have temporarily halted their advertising for the first half of 2020, and almost half of them have reduced their expenses on it altogether. This will severely impact music channels that are dependent on ad revenues and further impact the income specific artists receive. A prime example of this was seen with Spotify, who announced that it missed its advertising revenue targets due to the changes it experienced in advertisement budgeting. This effect is not just limited to Spotify, but also its artists who use the platform like this can lessen their individual income. Will advertisements see a resurgence in the future? The answer is likely yes, but in what form and exactly when that would be is still up in the air.

When it comes to distribution, coronavirus has caused a number of artists to delay their releases into later in the year. This is partially due to the inability of artists to now go on tours to promote their music as a plethora of music festivals and events have been momentarily postponed or canceled. The absence of live performances can be understood as nearly a cut of half of the industry’s total revenue; pushing artists and agents to explore other mediums for gaining back that lost capital. Although live stream performances are a start, that is nowhere near enough and record label groups have understood this.

Groups such as Universal Music Group and Live Nation Entertainment, as well as streaming platforms like Spotify and Apple Music, have provided funding efforts to aid artists whose incomes have been diminished due to the coronavirus. They have also established practices in distribution that is more helpful to artists such as interest-free advances on royalty payments. It is truly a rallying of the music community to help sustain the one thing all entities in the field love: music. Consumers have begun to use more streaming with the loss of live performances and also stream the music on home appliances much more such as televisions. The coronavirus has undoubtedly shifted the advertising and distribution sectors as well.

The Future

The Internet will be the prevalent home for artists and fans for the time being. With less physical interactions between musicians and their audiences, virtual performances will be the new normal for at least a year into the future. With the success many artists have been having with this format, who knows? There is a possibility that even after the pandemic comes to a close, online performances will become just as customary as live ones. Additionally, the coronavirus has shifted distribution and advertising practices. The good thing for the fans is that this means there are more possibilities for them to get exclusive content from their favorite artists now. However, what is most interesting is the change in the sound of music.

Spotify has reported that in addition to adding subscribers to its streaming platform in the first quarter of 2020, it has also noted a boost in listeners of their relaxing and peaceful musical genres. Whether or not this is due to the isolation and introspection that comes with quarantine, artists should and will pay attention to this and reflect the relaxing elements into their music as well. To achieve success in this day and age, success in streaming is still a constant. With PlaylistStreams.com, artists can do just that by achieving their desired organic streams at a competitive price; thus with our service, even in these confusing times, artists can deliver their music to their fans. With the coronavirus, there is no telling when things will get back to the future. However, we will all get through this and so will the music industry.

Prince oned said, “If you don’t own your masters, the master owns you.” In the music industry, the term master recording refers to the official recording of a musical performance, song, or sound that can be played back or reproduced. As the term “masters” entails, this is the version from which all copies are made. Why is the master recording so important? It is the key through which you profit off of your work, retain ownership of your music, and push your message as an artist out to the world. The manner in which master recordings are dealt with varies greatly, especially between major record labels and independent labels. A tremendous part of how successful an artist will be in this business is through their relationship with the masters recording; thus, it’s significance should not be underestimated.

Multi-purposeful Usage

An artist can profit off their master recordings through a variety of means. For one, with the ownership the masters provides them of their work, artists can reproduce and sell copies of their music directly to their fans. This includes, but is not limited to, making CDs that can be sold to an artist’s audience at their concerts. An artist can also make money from their masters by using a digital music distribution service like Ditto that can distribute the copies of the master recordings to streaming platforms like Apple Music and Spotify. Lastly, one can profit off the master recordings by signing with a record label who will aid you in the production of copies of your work and also take care of the aspect of distribution to your audience.

Clearly, owning your own master recording opens a gateway of possibilities on how to profit off your work as the legal rights to your work would be yours in this scenario. The majority of the revenue from your work will be yours to keep. Additionally, this type of unilateral ownership of your work would allow you to license other institutions to use your music for advertisements, TV shows, and much more. The issue is that more often than not, this sole ownership of music does not exist in the industry.

Who Owns the Master Recording?

Is it the artist, the producer, the record label, the recording studio, the sound engineer, or someone else? The answer is a complicated one and before we uncover this information, it is important to understand why the simple misconception of an artist maintaining all their recording’s rights is rarely the case. The individuals who work on an artist’s work such as a producer and sound engineer may also have some ownership of the master recordings and this split ultimately comes down to the contract between these parties and the artist. Besides sharing ownership, artists may also have to give up their rights to their master recordings altogether depending on the record label they have signed with to complete and distribute their music. As seen in these two cases, unilateral ownership is difficult to sustain in this day and age where additional parties are involved to enhance the quality and distribution of an artist’s work.

Instances where artists completely relinquish the rights to their master recording are most prevalent for new artists who need the financial assistance, service promotions, and distribution bandwidth of a record label company. At the beginning of the careers of artists with such needs, deals are made with the condition that the artist will sign over their masters to the record label until a certain amount of revenue is achieved or a specific amount of years have passed. During the time until either of these two conditionalities is met, there is a mutual understanding that the record label can use the newly obtained master recording for whatever purpose they deem fit and the label does not need to obtain permission from the artist for said usage. Thus, these master recordings can now be licensed out for TV shows, movies, commercials, sports events, and much more. The money that the record label makes from the usage of the master recording then is shared between the label and artist in the manner that was agreed upon in their original contractual agreement.

The way this revenue is shared depends upon if an artist is signed with a major record label company versus an independent record label. In the case of larger record label companies, artists typically lose all rights to their master recordings for a set period of time because of the sheer amount of financial and distribution-related resources the label provides in return. In contrast, independent record label companies typically allow artists to sustain their master recording rights and take other forms of payment as compensation such as a portion of the revenue from streaming. Though this may seem better, one should also keep in mind that these indie record labels may not have the ability to deliver your music to the audience to the extent that a major record label would be capable of doing.

Retaining Your Master Rights

There is no doubt that there is a myriad of benefits from owning your master recording rights. But what are the ways in which an artist can do so in the current climate of the music industry? For one, they can pay recording studios to record their music as opposed to labels and even try to record at a home studio. Nowadays, recording a premier quality album can reach expenses as high as six figures. Due to these growing expenses, artists sometimes see no alternative but to give up their rights to a record label with expansive resources. However, turning to studios with lower rates and home studios may result in just as great of a final musical product at a much lower aggregate cost. In addition to the lower cost, you are also able to sustain ownership.

Yet another way artists can maintain the rights to their master recordings is through sharing the revenue of the music rather than the rights of the master recordings. In this scenario, the artist still signs with the record label company but he or she signs a master license deal which provides a certain percentage of all licensing earnings over to the music record label. This is a small price to pay for all that the label provides the artist with and also allows them to worry less about who has control over their master recordings.

Regardless of which route you take, all artists should always have written agreements from the onset which make it clear who owns how much of the master recordings. This will help artists prove that they retained ownership of their work no matter which parties come into the picture, even if they are newer ones that bought out the rights of the original party. Master recordings are a crucial part of an artist’s journey and alternatives such as sharing revenue from streaming could be the difference between you maintaining your masters and a record label holding onto them. At Playlist Streams, we use organic methods to boost your streams and ultimately your revenue from your music on platforms like Spotify, YouTube, and many more. This additional streaming revenue that we can provide you can help you negotiate with other parties about sharing this income rather than master recording rights. It may seem hard to believe, but the master recordings can very well dictate the course of even the most popular recording artists.

We get asked by a numerous amount of people how do they get their music on Spotify, Apple Music, Tidal, etc. Digital distribution is what you would need. Distributors are the ones who get your music on all the Digital Service Providers (Spotify, Apple, etc.) libraries. Some companies whom you can sign up for distribution are Tunecore, AWAL, DITTO, Distro Kid, United Masters etc. Each one of them are different and you should weigh the pros and cons of each company.

We found a great and very informative article comparing these distribution companies. The article covers everything from what distribution companies do, how to work with a company, how to get a distribution deal, the fee structure and services.

In addition, it also has a chart comparing each distributor side by side. When deciding on a distributor make sure you work with a company who best fits your goals as an artist. For detailed information please read the article by the music distribution gurus.

Once you have your song upload to a distributor, you then can send us a link to your music so that we can get them on Playlist.

Hey! We have been getting a few inquires about adding new team members to your Artist for Spotify accounts, so we decided to share that information with you all here.

Spotify’s Artist for Spotify provides artists and their teams with audience stats and tools for promoting their music and managing their profile on Spotify. You also become a verified artist, so your profile on Spotify gets a blue verification check mark.

Here is a quick guide as to how to add a new member to your team:

If you have Admin access to a profile in Spotify for Artists, you can invite as many team members as you like. Bandmates, managers, and other trusted team members can all get involved.

1. Log in to the Spotify for Artists web page.
2. Open the side menu by clicking the three dots in the top-left.
3. Click Manage team.
4. Click INVITE in the top-right.
   • To invite 1 team member, add their name, business email address, role, company, and choose their access level.
   • To invite multiple team members at once, click BULK INVITE in the top-right and follow the steps on the next page.
5. Click SEND INVITE.
6. We’ll send them an email with a few steps to follow, then they’re in!

Note: It’s not possible to add team members on the Spotify for Artists mobile app.

If you have any additional questions please feel free to email us or you can check it out on Spotify.

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There is something magical about falling in love with a new artist on a playlist. And if you find one artist you like, there will likely be several more on the same playlist. Navigating the vast world of music discovery on streaming services is daunting, but Spotify has helped the curious listener find their way to musical paradise. For new artist, Playlist are certainly one of the benefits of Spotify’s service and a way to major growth! According to our friends at Complex, here’s the Top 10 Playlist right now:

1. Best New Music
2. Most Necessary
3. Anti-Pop
4. If It Wasn’t For Gucci
5. Lush Lofi
6. Fresh Finds
7. New Music Friday
8. Free Form
9. Bedroom Pop
10. RapCaviar