All artists know they need distribution. They want and need their songs where consumers can get to them. This is important. However, there are so many options and it is difficult to choose what is necessary. Then, there’s the whole element of physical distribution [which only seems necessary for .5% of all artists]. But here, we’re only going to focus on digital distribution [and online distribution such as Amazon.com].
There are a gazillion different platforms where digital downloads are offered. While there are a handful of major platforms [iTunes, eMusic, Napster and Amazon.com], there are streaming services that pay a small penny [which when they add up is a bigger penny...or dollars...or hundreds of dollars]. In our minds, the name of the game is exposure – how many folks can be exposed to your music. And it is a law of numbers. If there’s a possibility of having digital distribution with 250 different online selling platforms, then we think you should be on all of those. While there may only be certain pockets of folks that shop at some of these platforms, that niche market of folks will have the opportunity to buy your music.
Many questions we get regarding distribution are about marketing and placement. How to be the iTunes free download of the week or how to end up as a feature on Amazon.com are two of the frequent requests we receive. Those types of placements come with having a team behind you, distribution partnership, a sales history that warrants attention from an entity like iTunes and the money to promote your music. These things are definitely possible, but you do have to have the foundation and history to justify that type of placement.
This is why, at My New Release, we set you up with a digital distribution aggregator like CDBaby or TuneCore who places your music in so many platforms for fans to purchase which adds to your story as an artist. That story is what connects you to many other opportunities. We want you to be successful, heard and valued for your art – and having that art ready available is essential for that success.
