How Streaming Services Are Changing the Music Industry

The music industry has been through a lot of changes in the past few decades, but none have been as significant as the rise of streaming services. Streaming services have made it easier than ever for people to listen to music, and they have also had a major impact on the way that music is created, distributed, and consumed.

The Impact of Streaming Services on Artists

One of the biggest impacts of streaming services has been on artists. In the past, artists made most of their money from album sales and touring. However, streaming services pay artists much less per stream than album sales or ticket sales. This has led to a decline in income for many artists, especially those who are not as well-known.

For example, a study by the music industry trade group RIAA found that the average artist earned just $0.0038 per stream in 2020. This means that an artist would need to be streamed over 26,000 times in order to earn just $1.

In addition, streaming services have made it easier for people to listen to music for free. This has made it more difficult for artists to make a living from their music. As a result, many artists have had to find other ways to make money, such as touring, selling merchandise, or licensing their music for use in commercials or films.

For example, the band Metallica has said that they make more money from touring than they do from streaming. And the singer Taylor Swift has said that she has stopped releasing her music to streaming services in order to protect her copyright and to ensure that she is paid fairly for her work.

The Impact of Streaming Services on Labels

The music labels have also been impacted by the rise of streaming services. In the past, labels made most of their money from album sales. However, streaming services have reduced the amount of money that labels make from album sales. This has led to a decline in profits for many labels.

For example, the music label Sony Music Entertainment reported a decline in profits of 17% in 2020. And the music label Universal Music Group reported a decline in profits of 12% in 2020.

In addition, streaming services have made it easier for independent artists to get their music heard. This has led to a decline in the power of the major labels. As a result, many labels have had to find new ways to make money, such as investing in streaming services or signing deals with independent artists.

For example, the independent record label Sub Pop has said that they have been able to grow their business by signing deals with streaming services. And the independent artist Billie Eilish has said that she was able to get her music heard by signing a deal with the independent label Darkroom.

The Impact of Streaming Services on Fans

Streaming services have also had a major impact on fans. In the past, fans had to buy albums or singles in order to listen to music. However, streaming services allow fans to listen to music for free or for a low monthly subscription fee. This has made it easier for fans to discover new music and to listen to their favorite music whenever they want.

For example, the streaming service Spotify has over 400 million active users. And the streaming service Apple Music has over 60 million active users.

In addition, streaming services have made it easier for fans to connect with artists. Fans can now follow artists on social media, watch live streams, and even attend virtual concerts. This has created a more personal connection between fans and artists.

For example, the singer Ariana Grande has said that she loves using social media to connect with her fans. And the band BTS has said that they love using live streams to interact with their fans.

The Future of the Music Industry

The music industry is still in the midst of a major transformation, and it is not yet clear what the future holds. However, it is clear that streaming services will continue to play a major role in the music industry for years to come.

As streaming services continue to grow in popularity, it is likely that the way that music is created, distributed, and consumed will continue to change. It is also likely that the music industry will become more decentralized, with more power shifting to independent artists and fans.

Only time will tell what the future holds for the music industry, but one thing is for sure: streaming services are here to stay.

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.

Building a strong and loyal fanbase is essential for musicians looking to succeed in the modern music industry. In an era of fierce competition and easy access to music, artists must employ strategic approaches to stand out and connect with their target audience. This blog post will delve into three influential books on the subject: “How To Make It in the New Music Business: Practical Tips on Building a Loyal Following and Making a Living as a Musician” by Ari Herstand, “Get More Fans: The DIY Guide to the New Music Business” by Jesse Cannon and Todd Thomas, and “Six-Figure Musician – How to Sell More Music, Get More People to Your Shows, and Make More Money in the Music Business” by David Hooper. By understanding the principles outlined in these books, musicians can effectively build a dedicated fanbase and thrive in the competitive music landscape.

Establishing a Strong Brand Identity:

A crucial aspect of building a fanbase is developing a unique and authentic brand identity. According to Ari Herstand, artists must define their unique selling proposition (USP) and consistently convey their brand message across different platforms. This involves honing in on your artistic vision, identifying your target audience, and aligning your image, sound, and values with the desired fanbase. By establishing a clear and compelling brand identity, musicians can differentiate themselves from the competition and attract like-minded fans who resonate with their art.

Utilizing Social Media and Online Platforms:

In “Get More Fans,” Jesse Cannon and Todd Thomas emphasize the power of social media and online platforms in expanding an artist’s reach. It is vital for musicians to engage with their audience on platforms such as Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, and YouTube. Regularly posting captivating content, sharing behind-the-scenes glimpses, and interacting with fans can foster a sense of community and strengthen the bond between artists and their followers. By utilizing these platforms effectively, artists can leverage the potential for viral sharing and organic growth, reaching a broader audience and cultivating a loyal fanbase.

Building a Personal Connection:

David Hooper’s “Six-Figure Musician” stresses the significance of establishing a personal connection with fans. Going beyond the digital realm, musicians should strive to engage with their audience on a deeper level through live performances, meet-and-greets, and exclusive fan experiences. By making themselves accessible and showing genuine appreciation for their supporters, artists can forge meaningful connections that foster loyalty. When fans feel a personal connection with an artist, they are more likely to become enthusiastic advocates, spreading the word about their music and driving further engagement.

Leveraging Collaborations and Networking:

In an industry that thrives on collaboration, networking is a powerful tool for expanding a fanbase. Connecting with other musicians, industry professionals, and influencers can lead to mutually beneficial partnerships, joint performances, and cross-promotion. Building relationships and leveraging existing networks can expose artists’ music to new audiences and help grow their fanbase organically. By tapping into the collective reach and influence of their peers, musicians can expand their fanbase more effectively and increase their chances of success.

Harnessing the Power of Data and Analytics:

Understanding the audience and their preferences is crucial for effective fanbase building. Ari Herstand emphasizes the importance of utilizing data and analytics tools to gain insights into demographics, listening habits, and engagement patterns. This information can guide marketing strategies, content creation, and tour planning, allowing artists to tailor their efforts to meet their fans’ expectations and interests. By leveraging data and analytics, musicians can make informed decisions and optimize their fanbase-building efforts.

Building a strong and loyal fanbase is an ongoing process that requires dedication, authenticity, and strategic planning. By implementing the principles discussed in the books “How To Make It in the New Music Business,” “Get More Fans,” and “Six-Figure Musician,” musicians can cultivate a dedicated following that will support their journey and contribute to their long-term success in the music industry.

To further enhance fanbase-building efforts, consider leveraging the power of playlist promotion services like Playlist Streams. With its targeted promotion and industry connections, Playlist Streams can help artists reach a wider audience, increase their streams, and grow their fanbase. Visit http://www.playliststreams.com/pricing to explore the available options and supercharge your music career.

Remember, building a fanbase takes time and persistence, but by implementing these strategies and staying true to your artistic vision, you can cultivate a strong and loyal following that will support you on your musical journey.

The music industry is more accessible than ever before. Artists can create and share their music with a global audience, allowing for unprecedented opportunities for exposure and success. However, with so much competition, it’s crucial for musicians to understand the fundamentals of music promotion to ensure their work reaches the right ears. In this blog post, we will explore some key strategies and insights from renowned authors Audrey K. Chisholm, Mike King, and Ray D. Waddell to help you effectively promote your music and expand your reach.

1. Understanding the Music Business:
Audrey K. Chisholm’s book, “Start Your Music Business: How to Earn Royalties, Own Your Music, Sample Music, Protect Your Name & Structure Your Music Business,” provides valuable insights into the business side of the music industry. Before diving into promotion, it is crucial to understand the basics of music rights, royalties, and ownership. By educating yourself on these aspects, you can protect your work, ensure fair compensation, and make informed decisions regarding your music’s distribution.

2. Developing an Effective Marketing Strategy:
Mike King’s “Music Marketing: Press, Promotion, Distribution, and Retail” emphasizes the importance of a well-crafted marketing strategy. Begin by defining your target audience and understanding their preferences. Research their listening habits, preferred platforms, and influencers they follow. This information will help you tailor your promotional efforts and choose the most effective channels to reach your target audience.

3. Building Your Online Presence:
In today’s digital landscape, establishing a strong online presence is crucial for music promotion. Utilize social media platforms, such as Instagram, Facebook, Twitter, and TikTok, to engage with your audience, share your music, and create a community around your work. Additionally, maintain a professional website or artist profile on platforms like SoundCloud, Spotify, and Bandcamp to showcase your music and offer easy access to your songs.

4. Creating Engaging Content:
To capture the attention of potential listeners, it’s essential to create engaging and visually appealing content. Incorporate high-quality images, music videos, and lyric videos into your promotional strategy. Consider collaborating with visual artists or videographers to create captivating visuals that complement your music. Engaging content not only grabs attention but also encourages sharing, extending your reach organically.

5. Leveraging Music Streaming Platforms:
Streaming platforms have revolutionized the music industry, and understanding how to navigate them is vital for successful music promotion. Submit your music to platforms like Spotify, Apple Music, and Amazon Music, and ensure your profiles are complete and visually appealing. Collaborate with playlist curators and influencers within your genre to feature your music, exposing it to their established fan base. This can significantly increase your chances of reaching a wider audience.

6. Harnessing the Power of Influencer Marketing:
Influencer marketing has become a valuable tool for promoting music. Identify influencers in your genre or niche who have a substantial following and engage with their audience. Collaborate with influencers to feature your music in their content, such as reviews, playlists, or sponsored posts. Their endorsement can significantly expand your reach and introduce your music to new listeners.

7. Collaboration and Networking:
Networking with fellow musicians, industry professionals, and influencers can open doors to new opportunities. Attend local music events, conferences, and workshops to connect with like-minded individuals. Collaborate with other artists on tracks, guest features, or joint performances, which can help you tap into each other’s fan bases and expose your music to new audiences.

8. Live Performances and Touring:
Ray D. Waddell’s “This Business of Concert Promotion and Touring” emphasizes the significance of live performances in promoting your music. Regularly perform at local venues, festivals, and events to showcase your talent and build a reputation as a captivating live performer. As your fan base grows, consider planning regional tours to expand your reach and connect with fans in different locations.

Promoting your music in today’s competitive landscape requires a multifaceted approach that combines a strong online presence, engaging content creation, effective marketing strategies, and an understanding of the music business. By implementing the strategies discussed above and incorporating insights from Audrey K. Chisholm’s “Start Your Music Business,” Mike King’s “Music Marketing,” and Ray D. Waddell’s “This Business of Concert Promotion and Touring,” you can increase your chances of getting your music heard by more people. Remember, consistent effort, patience, and perseverance are key to achieving your goals in the music industry.

As you strive to get your music heard by more people, consider leveraging services like Playlist Streams to enhance your music promotion efforts. Playlist Streams offers a range of promotional packages that can help you gain exposure on curated playlists and reach a wider audience, providing an additional boost to your music career.

In the age of digital streaming, playlists have become a crucial component of how artists have grown their fanbase and spread their music. Whether it be Spotify, Apple Music, Amazon Music, TIDAL, or any other digital streaming platform, playlists bring new music to the ears of listeners that would not have come across it otherwise. In fact, Bloomberg argues that placement on some of the premier playlists that these platforms curate themselves, such as “Daily Mix” and “Today’s Top Hits” (Spotify), guarantees that a song will become a hit. Spotify’s biggest playlist, Today’s Top Hits, has been streamed over 20 billion times, has 25 million followers, and has had over 70 artists on it receive more than 100 million streams. Even some of the much smaller playlists have the potential to truly put an artist in the spotlight as multiple placements across various playlists could have just as much, if not, even a bigger impact promotionally. To begin to understand this new wave of music promotion, we first must understand what the types of playlists are.

Types of Playlists and Submissions

Today, there are more than 100 million listeners across the world who pay for streaming subscriptions to listen to music. The key to getting your song noticed as an independent artist is by getting it placed on these platforms’ playlists. The type that you may be most familiar with is user-created playlists, whether it be because of some playlists you have created for yourself or the ones your friends have made. Besides this, there are also algorithmic playlists that suggest you songs based on your listening data and history; some popular examples of these are “Your Daily Mix” and “Discover Weekly” on Spotify. In addition to algorithmic playlists, there are also human-curated playlists that are created by around 100 editors at Spotify and other streaming platforms. They use their expertise, marketing, and listening data across the entire app to make their selections for hundreds of playlists. Lastly, there are the hybrid playlists that incorporate both human and algorithmic elements of selection. Regardless of which type of playlist your music is on, the goal is consistent: bringing each listener the best music that they would want to listen to.

Only in July 2018, Spotify introduced a new way for artists to submit their music onto the platform’s playlists. On the Spotify for Artists service, artists can pitch their songs to the company’s editors via an online form that asks the artist for information such as mood, culture, and genre to better understand which playlist would be best suited for their success. After the submission, editors on the Spotify team review the songs on a weekly basis and use data and expertise to add the songs to their desired playlists.

However, this is no guarantee that your music will make it onto the playlists given the fact that thousands, if not more, artists are all submitting their music: to say the competition is intense would be an understatement. A myriad of artists are still skeptical about this submission process because of the lack of transparency that Spotify has provided on its specifics. For instance, Spotify will not specify how many submissions it gets on a weekly basis from artists nor how many of these submissions end up on their playlists. This has led to a lack of trust in their submission process and leads artists to look elsewhere for trusted services to use in order to gain playlist additions and organic streams of their music.

How Have Playlists Changed the Industry for Artists?

The most interesting impact of playlists is how they have shifted the manner in which artists make music. Nowadays, whenever an artist submits a song for playlist consideration to Spotify, it will automatically be added to some of the algorithmically created “New Music Friday” playlists for listeners. On top of that, artists have also realized that it would make more sense financially to release one or two songs at a time in a shorter time spans than it would to release an entire album worth of songs per year. This way, they can boost the streams and playlist additions of each one of their songs and in turn, make more from streaming royalties.

Additionally, many artists such as Drake have also began to create longer albums with shorter songs. This strategic approach to music production increase the amount of streams each song gets by a substantial amount because it reduces the odds of the listener skipping the song. Consequently, it also ensures a more successful album while also improving the odds of an artists’ music getting onto playlists with large followings. Furthermore, this trend of playlist necessity has also led artists to understand that their music needs to grab their listener’s attention within the first 30 seconds. Since Spotify does not pay artists for songs that get skipped by the listener before the 30 second mark, it is up to the artist to make sure they captivate the listener with their flow right away and that they do not waste time in the introductory seconds.

The ever growing demand by artists for playlists has led to an incredibly high supply: more than 2 billion playlists exist on Spotify alone! It would only be fair to assume that Apple Music has around the same aggregate and this still does not include the total playlists on all the other various streaming platforms as well. In a way, playlist hits have become this generation’s equivalent of radio hits. Trending near the top of various playlists could have an even greater impact that any other form of promotion because of how easily listeners who enjoy the music can download the song, add it to their personal playlists, and even share the word about the song.

Maximizing Your Playlist Additions

There is no question that playlist additions are crucial to an independent artist’s ability to promote their music. But how can you maximize your playlist placements? The answer is PlaylistStreams.com. Through our service, you can ensure that your music will be on multiple playlists that our team sees best fit to maximize the distribution of your music. From these placements, you will then receive organic streams and your fanbase and platform will grow tremendously. With our relationships with hundreds of curators who have thousands of playlists, you can count on us to deliver and push your music to the ears of fans across the world.

The time to take advantage of this revolutionary mode of music promotion is now and with PlaylistStreams.com, you can join the wave of independent artists boosting their platform and solidifying their marks in the music industry.

In 2013, a Spotify user by the name of Sean Parker added “Royals” by the then-unknown pop star Lorde into his playlist, titled “Hipster International”. With 814,000 followers on Hipster International, Forbes aptly dubbed it one of the most influential playlists many years ago. What followed was sensational; At sixteen years old, Lorde’s song was catapulted into success and even debuted on Spotify Viral Charts soon after. Her song “Royals” amassed hundreds of millions of streams, and her subsequent albums were equally as successful as this first song. Other large artists such as BØRNS and Halsey also share similar initial success stories, and many smaller artists are growing their listener base through Spotify day by day. It should come as no surprise then, the immense power that this app has in a music makers’ career. Users, labels, and artists are all taking advantage of this platform, and for good reason too. The reason for these artists’ success lies in engagement and activity with their content, not necessarily in the number of total streams. 

In a previous blog post, I discussed some of the differences between the different types of playlists that are on Spotify. These major playlist categories on Spotify include editorial, algorithmic, and listener, or user-generated playlists. Some emerging artists assume that getting placed on any of these playlists and gaining a large amount of streams immediately guarantees their success. Of course, streams can be a great metric to quantify reach and a powerful tool for introducing original music to the world. However, these streams carry little value if there is no organic user activity with the content, or if these streams are bot streams. Bot streams or other non-organic streams do not accurately represent how many users are truly engaged with the content. For additional insight on this difference, you can check out our previous blog post here. 

Playlist activity is defined not only by whether users stream music, but also when they favorite, save, add to their own personal playlists, follow the artist account, and more. Overall activity metrics tell Spotify that the song is generally liked by many and has great potential to reach more listeners around the world. It is clear that playlist activity is all-encompassing, while playlist reach simply identifies how many listens a song got. 

Obviously, both playlist reach and playlist activity are important aspects of improving an artists’ fanbase and following, but activity reigns supreme when designing a marketing campaign for a song. Chances of landing on large, influential playlists developed by Spotify’s editorial team or the algorithm itself are improved the more people engage with artist content, because Spotify tracks overall engagement only. The importance of organically increasing engagement cannot be understated. As an artist, you want listeners to enjoy and listen to your music, to the point where they follow your account, add the song to their personal playlists, and share with their connections. 

How to Develop Your Music Promotion Strategy

At PlaylistStreams, we recognize how important activity is for emerging artists, and also how difficult it can be to initially increase engagement with a song. While building a fanbase through engagement does take time, there are a few tactics that can greatly improve chances of success. Before releasing music, we recommend submitting songs through a Spotify for Artists account to the Spotify Editorial Team to be considered and added to their playlists. Creating high-quality, suitable content for each artists’ target audience is another important factor to success. A great method of increasing engagement is reaching out to user-generated playlists that match the vibe and genre of the song. PlaylistStreams draws on its large database and connections to playlist curators cross-platform to find the perfect playlists for your activity and stream goals. With time and commitment, your goals for organic engagement can definitely be achieved with PlaylistStreams campaigns.

In the age of digital streaming, one of the most important decisions that an artist will make is choosing a music distribution service that can best promote their work. Gone are the times of everyone solely using vinyl records and cassette tapes: now, record labels and artists made the colossal change to use the intermediaries of digital music distribution services to push their music to audiences in every corner of the world.

Understanding Music Distribution Services

First things first: What is the purpose of a music distribution service? You can picture them as the middleman between you, the artist, and the major listening platforms in the world known as the Digital Service Providers (DSPs). These companies take care of the procedural and administrative work that needs to be done for your music; this extends to listening to your songs, selecting the genre that it will get the most exposure on, and negotiating with listening platforms. These online music streaming companies only take music releases that come to them through distribution services. Therefore, they are necessary to bridge the gap between an artist’s work and the audience. The question arises as to how some of the most popular distribution services function and this information will ultimately help you as an artist decide which service is best suited for you. When selecting, artists should be cognizant of fee structures, stored services, added services, and lastly, the reputation and experience of the platform. Once your song is upload via a distributor you will be ready to apply for a PlaylistStream campaign to build your fanbase. Let’s take a look at some of the nuances of the leading services that I recommend to help you make your decision.

Ditto Music: The All Rounder

Launched in 2005, Ditto Music is a distribution service that is open to all and has over 200 outlets. Upon registering with Ditto, the service helps promote your music to online platforms like Apple Music, YouTube, Spotify, VEVO, and many more. It not only pushes your music to stores around the world, but gives you the liberty to limit which regions you want to focus on spreading your music too. The service markets its clients both online/offline, and also through the PR deals it signs to further expand the audience base of artists. Additionally, Ditto Music covers your Airplay-Royalty Registration, which ensures that you receive the appropriate royalties for when your music is played on the radio. The distribution service also takes care of its artists’ copyrights and uses their digital fingerprinting to prevent potential copyright infringements. Yet another positive of Ditto Music is that it gives the artist complete autonomy in regards to the royalties and earnings. They do not charge any hidden costs and execute secure financial transactions. The distribution fee for an unlimited amount of songs is $19 and there is also a $19 annual fee per artist. Ditto does not take any portion of an artist’s earnings or royalties and provides transparency with the records of both of these components as well.

Some of the shortcomings of Ditto are that although it covers the digital distribution of your music, it does not perform physical distribution as well. Ditto also only does music promotion if its artists have purchased the specific packages for that service; a general registration alone does not provide its clients with the full breadth of their promotion services. Furthermore, although artists have the independence to alter their track order before uploading their music, this ability is gone after the release has been officially processed. Ditto is reported to have a poor user interface online and its customer service also needs improvement. Lastly, Ditto also only covers an artist’s original video content and will not help distribute videos that it may see as obstacles for new artists it may sign with.

Taking all of this into consideration, I recommend Ditto as a great music distribution service for both up and coming artists as well as experienced ones. Its diligence in taking care of all the work that needs to be done before the release of the song all the way until the actual release and beyond truly eases the journey for the artists. It helps project your music across the world while also maintaining transparency about your earnings and royalties. Though it has its fair share of weaknesses and limitations, I believe that Ditto should still be a top choice, especially for artists still getting a grasp of the music business.

EmuBands: For the Independent Artist

Based out of the UK, EmuBands is yet another premier music distribution service that is tailored for independent artists. The versatile EmuBands team consists of seasoned professionals from all fields of the music business. The company has worked with thousands of clients since its 2005 origins and thus their experience is not something you should worry about at all. Unlike Ditto Music, EmuBands has a stellar reputation with customer service and even goes as far as naming an Account Manager for every one of their artists so that they can receive all the guidance and help they need. Additionally, EmuBands takes transparency with its artists one step further by providing them with direct access to their respective sales data and market trends: all from their personal user account. Artists can download this data and examine it offline with tremendous ease. EmuBands also provides the free service of automatically registering your music on Shazam to ensure that anyone who is unfamiliar with your music can discover your work right away. They also give more power to the artists by giving them the ability to pick when they want their music to be pre-ordered or released. This is a functionality that many music distribution services fail to offer and separates EmuBands from its competitors. Lastly, the service also provides a royalty payout system with a great user interface as an artist can continually receive updates on their payments and other information. EmuBands lets you obtain your payments as quickly as you want while also eliminating minimum payment thresholds.

EmuBands has room for improvement; for instance, it currently has no admin publishing services. Furthermore, it also is quite expensive with its release fees which start at $42. Along with this price, there is no payment splitting functionality or YouTube content ID, both of which many other distribution services offer. Despite these few cons, I still believe EmuBands is a leading choice because of both all the benefits listed as well as its commitment to address its issues. EmuBands has shown a commitment to continual progress and it will not be long before these issues are also resolved. The higher price is well worth it because of the sheer amount of independence it gives the artists as well as services it provides at no additional fee. For a single plan of $42.50 with 1-2 tracks, you can get a lifetime of unparalleled support and services while also keeping 100% of your royalties. EmuBands is truly willing to go above and beyond to push their artists’ music to audiences.

Landr: Unparalleled Collaboration and Mastery Services

Lastly, Landr is another distribution service that I highly encourage to consider in your search. With just an annual fee, artists are able to upload an unlimited number of songs throughout the year. A unique feature of this service is that artists can make their work accessible to other artists, friends, and even producers to get the opportunity for feedback. With this feature, artists can get a sense of the critical reception of their music before releasing it and even improve their music with other musically savvy professionals. To the other end of this collaboration feature, artists can also access to free music samples from other producers to create their own versions of them with a unique spin. This type of free and legal transparency between samples is something quite amazing about Landr as several other services are still attempting to figure out how to do the same thing. The user interface is engaging and facile to use because they have a free app that artists can download on their laptops. Landr also established Landr Academy; a portion of their services dedicated to providing their clients with tips on how to maximize their promotion and collaboration potentials. Finally, Landr also helps register you with other services and even gives you the ability to link your account with your SoundCloud account at no further costs.

Like all music distribution services, Landr also has areas in which it can use a bit more work. It also does not provide a publishing administration and can be a platform that requires some time to get used to handling. The pricing can be confusing as well because it is difficult to see what the differences are between the packages and if some are truly worth the greater price than the others. The three primary plans are the basic plan ($48 yearly), advanced plan ($108 yearly), and pro plan ($299 yearly). There is always a push for its clients to spend more money to also pay for the mastering services which the advanced and pro plans provide. Finally, if an artist was to cancel their subscription then all of their releases would be frozen. Despite these cons, Landr is both a reputable and amazing music distribution serivce. Landr is a platform that takes no commission from you, lets you maintain all your earnings, and also provides complementary educational content and AI mastering tools for its artists to sound like true professionals. This type of genuine care for the quality of their clients work is hard to find in the music distribution service industry.

Concluding Thoughts

Whether you pick one of these three services or any of the countless others, remember that this is ultimately your decision. As an artist, you should be asking yourself: which service makes me feel most comfortable and also has my best interests at heart? The answer to these questions will vary for each artist, but just remember how much easier music distribution services can make your journey in delivering your music from your room to the ears of people around the world. Keeping all these factors in mind, will make the decision of selecting a service all the simpler.

Once you’ve picked your distributor and you have your music listed in the DSPs, you can then promote your music via PlaylistStreams to maximize your listeners, build your fan base and get your career rolling!