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As we enter the new year, it's important to revisit some fundamental aspects of the music industry that may have undergone changes. Despite the lack of live shows and the need for artists to quarantine, the music industry experienced significant growth in 2020. This growth was accompanied by the emergence of various online platforms such as Bandcamp, Spotify, Apple Music, and others. Bandcamp, for instance, introduced "Bandcamp Friday," a special event where they waived their fees, ensuring that bands and artists received the full profit from merchandise and album sales. Additionally, venues and organizations organized live streams, offering virtual tickets to generate income for musicians. Notably, streaming technology also advanced, enabling bands to perform remotely for both practice sessions and quarantined audiences. Regardless of the challenges faced, individuals in the industry demonstrated resourcefulness, allowing musicians to pursue their passion in unprecedented ways in 2020. If you're at home and starting to explore how to publish music, establish yourself as a live stream performer, or sell albums and merchandise, this serves as an excellent starting point for you.
Maybe you set a goal or made a resolution for 2021 to embark on a music-making journey, or perhaps to create even more music. However, you might still be uncertain about the necessary steps to take in order to release your musical creations. beatsIf you want your music to reach a wider audience and be heard by your loved ones, this article is the ultimate resource for valuable advice and resolutions on how to publish your music, choose the right streaming services, distribute your tracks, and navigate the intricate legalities involved in securing the rights for your creations. It covers everything from the fundamentals of selecting a platform to the nitty-gritty details that require careful consideration before making any decisions. Rest assured, whether you're a beginner or an experienced artist, this comprehensive guide has got you covered.
Fortunately, we are currently residing in an era where it has become more convenient than ever to distribute and share your music. Nevertheless, the downside of this undeniable reality is that it is effortless to become overwhelmed by the numerous options available, resulting in a state of indecision where you may find yourself unable to take any action. However, the sensation of releasing any form of music, be it a single, EP, album, or anything in between, is truly unmatched. Accompanying this experience, however, are a few crucial choices that need to be made prior to hitting the publish button. By the conclusion of this process, it is our hope that you will feel motivated and prepared to move forward with the publication of your music.
It is crucial to understand that "official publishing" refers to the commercialization of a composition, not a sound recording, as record labels often handle the latter. Musicians often choose to self-publish in order to receive more royalties. Typically, these royalties are divided equally between the writer and the publisher, each receiving 50%. However, if you self-publish your own song, you receive double the payment as you own both the writer's share and the publisher's share. Additionally, you retain all rights, intellectual property, publisher's credit, and songwriter's credit. It is important to note that there is a distinction between pressing the "publish" button on Bandcamp and the official process of "publishing your music".
While it may appear to be obvious, self-publishing does have its drawbacks, such as having to generate your own chances, managing all administrative tasks, and serving as the marketer for your music. Nevertheless, many artists are willing to sacrifice 50% of their earnings in order to concentrate exclusively on the creative process of composing their music. However, most independent musicians are accustomed to assuming multiple roles, and the additional income and autonomy make it worthwhile for them. Consequently, let's delve into the specifics of self-publishing and independently distributing your music.
There are numerous online platforms available for sharing your music, each offering different levels of convenience and features - as is the case with everything nowadays. Among the most well-liked websites among musicians are SoundcloudBoth Bandcamp and Soundcloud are renowned online platforms for sharing music. They have established themselves as reputable destinations for musicians, record labels, and artists alike. Whether you are part of a band, a solo artist, or a producer, these sites provide a unique space to showcase your creative work. beatmakerWith the ability to effortlessly upload and distribute your music, you can now spread your creations far and wide. However, it's important to note that Soundcloud's complimentary account does come with certain limitations. Specifically, you are only granted the ability to upload up to two hours of audio content. Consequently, once you reach this predetermined threshold, you'll be faced with a pivotal decision-making process - determining which tracks you wish to hold onto, and which ones you're willing to part ways with. Fortunately, there is a solution available that offers unlimited upload time and a wealth of additional perks. By upgrading to a premium account, priced at a mere $12 per month, you unlock a multitude of advantageous features. These include advanced analytic tracking capabilities, enabling you to gain deeper insights into the performance of your music. Moreover, the premium account also opens the door to monetization opportunities, allowing you to potentially generate revenue from your musical endeavors.
On the flip side, Bandcamp does not impose any restrictions on the number of uploads (although they do require specific file formats for uploads) and boasts a more streamlined user interface, facilitating seamless navigation and hosting of your music releases. Additionally, Bandcamp offers a premium subscription option akin to Soundcloud, equipping you with advanced analytics, video hosting capabilities, and various other features. Another notable aspect of Bandcamp is its pre-order function, allowing you to publish an album and schedule its release for a later date, while still collecting digital pre-orders where individuals can pay for the album in advance and receive it as a downloadable file upon its release. Furthermore, if you desire to associate certain merchandise items with a particular album or release, Bandcamp allows you to select that option within your merch store.
indie artists use it as well. electronic musicIt entirely relies on your requirements and what functions most effectively for you. It entirely relies on your requirements and what functions most effectively for you.
While SoundCloud and Bandcamp don't require fees for uploading music, Spotify often charges a fee. However, don't let this discourage you from using Spotify. The cost is typically minimal and, truthfully, in 2021, Spotify is the ultimate destination for music streaming. While there are other competitors out there, Spotify is undoubtedly in the lead.
Although there are distributors who provide free services for getting your music on Spotify, there is typically a catch - they either take a percentage of your royalties or charge an annual service fee. This isn't always the situation, but currently, there are limited choices for independent artists to effortlessly upload their music to Spotify without incurring any costs.
Soundcloud and Bandcamp do not distribute your music to major streaming platforms like Spotify, Apple Music, Tidal, Amazon Music, or any others. However, Soundcloud has an advantage in this area with the introduction of Repost by Soundcloud, a monthly service priced at $2.50 that allows your music to be sent to streaming platforms. Currently, Bandcamp does not offer a similar feature, but it wouldn't be surprising if they do so in the future, especially now that Soundcloud has this option. On the other hand, Bandcamp is known for its artist-focused approach and it is widely recognized that streaming platforms pay very low royalties per stream. Therefore, it would also not be surprising if Bandcamp deliberately avoids incorporating such a feature.
If you're in need of a website to host your music and distribute it to various streaming platforms, you'll come across several options, each with its own advantages and disadvantages. Websites like Distrokid, CD Baby, TuneCore, RouteNote, and others can all fulfill this purpose, albeit at different costs, fees, and features. Typically, these websites charge per release. For instance, RouteNote charges $40 per year, per album for distributing music through their platform. To determine the most suitable option for you, I highly recommend exploring each website and conducting your own research. What may appeal to others may not necessarily appeal to your preferences. One particularly attractive option is Soundcloud's Repost feature. It offers an appealing price point, the ability to split payments between collaborators and credited musicians, and benefits from Soundcloud's established reputation. If you mention that your music is on Soundcloud, people will immediately understand, whereas mentioning RouteNote may not ring a bell for most individuals (though it's unlikely that many people will inquire about your chosen music hosting platform for streaming websites, but still).
There are several websites available that can help you distribute your music to streaming services and even provide the option to order physical copies of your CDs for a fee. CD Baby, for example, is a platform that offers this option as a major selling point. Another option is RouteNote, which provides a free option as well as paid options. If you choose the free option, RouteNote will receive a higher percentage of streaming royalties. Each platform comes with its own advantages and disadvantages, so it's important for you to weigh your budget, anticipated reach, and timeframe before making a decision. Some platforms may be able to get your music published more quickly than others, but if you're planning your release well in advance, this should not be a concern.
It is crucial to note that utilizing multiple distribution services can lead to some complications. If you decide to send one album to Spotify through TuneCore and then switch to RouteNote's free option for your second album, there is a possibility that two separate listings of your band may be created on Spotify. Therefore, it is highly recommended to stick with one service for all your releases. However, if you do intend to switch, it is imperative to delete everything from your previous account before transitioning to a new one.
This is a crucial inquiry that every musician must pose: at what time, in which location, and on which occasion howHow can I receive compensation for my efforts? I have dedicated my time and effort to complete the task. creating your soundAfter promoting your release and going through the necessary steps to upload your music, it is finally time for you to receive your well-deserved compensation. There are several methods through which you will be monetarily rewarded:
BMI, ASCAP, and SESAC. Once you have registered as a publisher with a PRO, you will need to register your song with a publishing company. This can be done through a music publishing administrator or by creating your own publishing entity. Registering your song with a publishing company ensures that you will receive proper credit and royalties for your work. After registering with a publishing company, you can then start distributing your music to various streaming platforms and digital stores. This is usually done through a digital distribution service, such as CD Baby or TuneCore. These services will handle the licensing and distribution of your music, ensuring that it reaches a wide audience and generates income. Additionally, you may also want to consider signing up with a performance rights society, such as SoundExchange, to collect royalties from radio play, TV syncs, and other public performances of your music. Overall, publishing your music involves a series of steps and partnerships with different organizations to ensure that you receive proper recognition and compensation for your creative work. BMI, ASCAP, and SESAC. Once you become the publisher, you will gain complete ownership of your music and have the freedom to license it in any manner and in any location you desire. You will retain 100% of the profits and enjoy full autonomy in managing your publishing career.
On the other hand, it is crucial to bear in mind that foregoing any assistance or support in terms of advances, A&R, and promotional activities, as well as taking on the entire burden of grunt work and administrative tasks, will be the consequence. Nevertheless, numerous independent artists consider this additional effort worth it in order to maintain complete control. Nevertheless, it is essential to evaluate the advantages of potentially joining forces with a publishing house that has the potential to propel your career forward in ways that you may not be capable of achieving independently.
The function of a publisher in the music industry operates similarly to the role of a publisher in the world of printed material. Just as an author presents a book to a publisher, the publisher secures the necessary rights, circulates the book, and ultimately publishes it. In the same manner, a musician approaches a publisher with a song, and the publisher actively seeks appropriate opportunities for that song to find its place. Perhaps a renowned vocalist is in search of their next big hit, and by chance, this particular song falls into their hands. Alternatively, an advertising agency may require a melodious composition for their commercial, in which case, the publisher can arrange for your song to be performed by the agency. These examples merely scratch the surface, as fundamentally, a publisher aims to introduce your song or album to various markets and endeavor to place it either in the hands of another artist or with a reputable label or record company for official release.
meet the criteria for this position, your qualifications and experience make you a strong candidate. needDepending on your musical style and the ultimate goals you have for your tracks, having a music publisher can be incredibly beneficial. While it is possible to handle this job independently by creating a contact list and sending out emails with your music and albums, you may not receive a high response rate compared to someone with an established reputation in the music industry. Collaborating with a publisher can open doors for your music that you may not have even been aware existed. The decision ultimately depends on your desired outcome for your music. For instance, if you aspire to be a songwriter who pitches lyrics or music to different artists, or if you aim to become a jingle writer for television or radio commercials, it would be advantageous to seek out a music publisher and explore the possibilities of hiring them to promote your music effectively.
One additional responsibility that publishers typically take on is managing the necessary paperwork to ensure proper crediting and compensation for your music. This is a task that many individuals struggle to handle on their own, given the complexity of the current music industry landscape. Incidents of music misuse are extremely common, and it can be challenging to effectively address such behavior. By collaborating with a publisher, you can trust that the correct documents will be prepared, signed, and your music will be in competent hands, resulting in financial benefits for you. While money may not be the sole motivation for certain individuals involved in music, many artists simply want their music to be available for listening, whether legally or not, used as a podcast or presentation soundtrack. If you don't fall into that category and prefer a more meticulous approach, entrusting this task to someone else will be a tremendous relief.
HTML version: This is a challenging subject to accurately define, as the digital era has significantly complicated musicians' ability to retain control over their music and its distribution. Nowadays, anyone with access to Google can find an MP3 ripper, take the link of your non-downloadable track hosted on Soundcloud, and incorporate it into a video they will upload on YouTube, earning money from it. Where is the justice in that? Certain publishing platforms include copyright protection in their hosting and publishing fees. Some even provide services that identify videos featuring your music and send you an email notification, allowing you to address the issue accordingly.
There exist legislations permitting individuals to acquire music through downloading. remixindividuals have the ability to alter, distort, or modify a piece of content, such as a music track, image, or video, and then redistribute it as their own creation. They are even permitted to generate profits from it, as long as they acknowledge and attribute the original artist. Creative CommonsThe regulations become more stringent, specifying that individuals are allowed to engage in all of those activities except for monetizing them, unless the content remains unaltered and includes proper attribution. Alternatively, individuals are completely prohibited from using the content for any purpose without obtaining a license from the respective artist. Interestingly, acquiring such a license can actually be a relatively straightforward procedure, despite many people underestimating it, although it may still become laborious.
There are numerous online platforms available that offer music registration services for a fee, whether on a per-song basis or for batches of songs. Utilizing such platforms can help ensure proper tracking and documentation of your music. If safeguarding your original work and monitoring its usage and licensing is of great importance to you, it is advisable to consider this aspect when searching for a publishing platform or if you are interested in registering your work with a copyright database. It is essential to remember that the significance of this step may vary from person to person, and ultimately, the decision to copyright your music rests solely with you.
If safeguarding the privileges to your music is a priority, look no further than BMI (Broadcast Music, Inc.) and ASCAP (American Society of Composers, Authors and Publishers) – two respected entities entrusted with the collection of licensing fees on your behalf. Once your registered composition, under the umbrella of an organization like aforementioned, is featured in any lucrative undertaking, rest assured that an invoice will promptly arrive via snail mail or electronic correspondence, addressed to an individual associated with the respective project. Dealing with these formidable institutions is not advisable, as they possess the ability to ascertain proper compensation for your artistic creation, invariably arranging for a licensing accord and sending a monetary remittance your way.
Joining organizations like this, whether as an artist or publisher, requires dealing with paperwork and entering into long-term agreements. However, the potential benefits in the long term can be significant if you are a musician who frequently has their tracks used without consent or permission. These organizations ensure that you receive financial compensation for the use of your music, saving you from the frustration of discovering unauthorized for-profit usage without proper credit or compensation and the subsequent effort to rectify the situation. The alternative—hiring a lawyer, potentially going to court—can become complicated and messy very quickly. Instead, you can align yourself with an organization that will handle these matters on your behalf, leaving you to simply wait for a check to arrive if and when your music is used. You can have peace of mind knowing that someone else will fight your battles and emerge victorious. As I mentioned, these are the individuals you don't want to challenge when it comes to unauthorized use of copyrighted music.
From the early stages of self-publishing and releasing our music independently, to our recent affiliation with organizations such as BMI, ASCAP, or similar, one principle has always remained constant - only you can determine what's right for your craft. When it comes to music, there is no definitive approach. Debates arise on online platforms regarding whether Logic or Pro Tools should be used in music production. Now imagine the discussions when it comes to copyrighting and the merits of joining BMI. Ultimately, it all boils down to your priorities in releasing your music and the extent to which you wish to safeguard it. If you're content with uploading an album on Bandcamp, allowing people to download it and even pay for it if they desire, then that's perfectly acceptable. Alternatively, if you'd like to upload a beat on Soundcloud for rappers and artists to download, add their own lyrics, and credit you when they share it, you have the freedom to do so. And if you're inclined to delve deeper into the complexities of copyrights and representation, that is entirely your choice to make.
Compared to two to three decades ago, the availability of resources for independent artists to promote their music and earn a living has multiplied. Whether you choose to self-publish or distribute your music, there are various options to maintain control. Naturally, there are disadvantages to going solo. Established record labels and publishing houses possess valuable connections and financial backing that aspiring musicians often lack. In many cases, it can be a shrewd move to give them a percentage of your earnings in exchange for their ability to propel your career forward. Nevertheless, we have witnessed a growing number of independent artists successfully sustaining themselves. It requires additional effort and business acumen, but if you are truly committed to retaining creative control, the rewards will be worthwhile. It is crucial to reach a conclusion that leaves you content at the end of the day, ensuring your satisfaction with your final release.
