Distribution!!

davdud101


Hey, everyone. I'm finishing up my first album. And I've reached the point where I want to know all I can about distribution.  Are there any free services? Easy ways to get it on popular services? 
Thanks a ton! 

Sorry, urrm what do you mean by 'free services'? 

I would recommend CD-Baby along with their options for worldwide physical distribution which will see your album in popular stores. 


That said; last year I went with TuneCore but if I had to do that again I would NOT and also because I simply was not entirely prepared. Other mistakes I made; not having at least one music video ((a top-notch music video, it's got to be outstanding)), then join affiliate programs such as; YouTube Partner Program which could potentially earn money via advertising revenue.  Post that music video everywhere you can! 

Other tips: 
>  To help promote your album and have a darn good EPK (Press kit) send to sites such as; AMG (All Music Guide) and Pitchfork. 

>  Get an account with ReverbNation as you may receive 'some' free promotional package which will see your advertising for your album placed on sites such as; Billboard. 

> Since thousands of albums are released every day you'll need to have a least 'some' promotional/marketing plan and if possible get out and perform live. 

I wish you great success! 

davdud101


Hey, everyone. I'm finishing up my first album. And I've reached the point where I want to know all I can about distribution.  Are there any free services? Easy ways to get it on popular services? 
Thanks a ton!

No. There are no free services. Everybody wants a peice of your profit. Every publisher, every internet host site, every person who lifts a finger and does a task to sell your product, wants some money for their efforts. If you had any idea how big that list is, you wouldn't ask.

Linear Phase


You have to be careful, there are a lot of scams out there.  Plenty of websites where they try to sell you on, "they have a better relationship, and can help you market, and can set you up with your label, and you will sell, sell, sell."

Do not wast your time with any other distributor.  Use this:  http://www.mondotunes.com/

I have watched this digital distribution thing for five years..  I kept my eye on it, while I practiced, and practiced production.  I have researched over a hundred, or perhaps 500 distributors.  I have researched all the major one, "cdbaby, songcast, tunecore," and 15 more major ones who's names I cant remember.  I have researched tons of sites that turned out to be, "straight up scams."

I can confirm that MondoTunes are who they say they are.  That my music is appearing in stores.  That the MondoTunes pricing is the best.  http://www.mondotunes.com/

Do not waste your time..  I have done all the research for you.

Cheers

Formerly JMD Distribution;  MondoTunes appear to be best value and I like the additional 'marketing' services (although at extra cost) they have available but I have a few questions; 


(1) Does MondoTunes distribution deal include worldwide physical (CD) availability for purchase in stores such as; Amazon 'CD on Demand', Target and other 'physical' stores that sells CD's? 

(2) In regards to Album Release; during the filing process can I 'uncheck' (not include) sites such as; Spot*fy? and... 

(3) for other full-length streaming sites such as; MySp*ce will I have the option to either; include or NOT include full-length streaming of whatever track(s) I chose?. 

Thanks! 


My detailed sales report shows the following trend; 

(1) CD's are still selling surprisingly well compared to download formats. Honestly I didn't expected that because I thought most people nowadays simply prefer to download (get the music virtually instantly) rather than wait for shipment of CD. 

(2) Sites that provide 'full-length' streaming such as; MySp*ce fair the worse, a hell of a lot worse. 


---------------------------------------------


Some people I know have closed their accounts with MySp*ce since changes to their format; it seems as if MySp*ce has become way too commercialized and focused on for example; Billbo@rds top-40 artists even if those artists hadn't been in the top-40 charts for more than 5 years. Along with... when you visit an artist page to play 'their radio (song/album list)' the next track skips to a totally different artist (one of the Top-40 artist) instead of the current artist that the visitor was listening to. In way that is akin to hijacking and is annoying!! 

Linear Phase

SongCraft


Formerly JMD Distribution;  MondoTunes appear to be best value and I like the additional 'marketing' services (although at extra cost) they have available but I have a few questions; 


(1) Does MondoTunes distribution deal include worldwide physical (CD) availability for purchase in stores such as; Amazon 'CD on Demand', Target and other 'physical' stores that sells CD's? 

(2) In regards to Album Release; during the filing process can I 'uncheck' (not include) sites such as; Spot*fy? and... 

https://onerpm.com/

https://www.catapultdistribution.com

http://www.dittomusic.com/dittomusic/

I love the header image on your website.  Really cool!!  Above I have linked my 3, "runner ups."  To MondoTunes...

<---  Does mondo include physical cd

I dunno

<---  During the filing process on mondo, can I, "uncheck," spotify, etc...

No!  Not on mondo.  Yes on the, "runner ups."   Read everything carefully...   For me, "I am not worried about having my music on Spotify, but I understand why some people do not want that."

FYI..  The, "runner ups," have recurring charges.  Modno does not.  To repeat, 'read carefully'

Cheers

Thanks for your speedy reply and advise :) 


Yep, I'm on to it; reading it all carefully.  I just sent them a question about physical distribution (CD) and if the answer is YES then heck yeah I'll be jumping on the MondoWagon in 2013 and rescind my recommendation to CD-Baby! 


About the uncheck options, that's OK, I guess an Email to staff shortly after submission will sort that out easily enough. 

  Hey Peeps! Thanks for all the MondoTunes love! We understand how much work and passion you guys put behind your tunes therefore we want to make sure we work our butts off in providing our artists the very best resources! This includes the largest global music distribution (amongst many other services) and an unmatched customer service! I happened to read this thread and just wanted to clarify that artists can absolutely opt in or out of any of MondoTunes partners. The process is simple, Feel free to shoot us an email anytime and list the retailers you'd like to opt out of. We'll take care of the rest! Keep writing great tunes guys and of course feel free to send us an email (info@mondotunes.com) anytime with additional questions. Cheers, Javan MondoTunes

MondoTunes


  Hey Peeps! Thanks for all the MondoTunes love! We understand how much work and passion you guys put behind your tunes therefore we want to make sure we work our butts off in providing our artists the very best resources! This includes the largest global music distribution (amongst many other services) and an unmatched customer service! I happened to read this thread and just wanted to clarify that artists can absolutely opt in or out of any of MondoTunes partners. The process is simple, Feel free to shoot us an email anytime and list the retailers you'd like to opt out of. We'll take care of the rest! Keep writing great tunes guys and of course feel free to send us an email (info@mondotunes.com) anytime with additional questions. Cheers, Javan MondoTunes

Hi Javan, 


Welcome! I'm impressed with the speedy reply (Email) I got from MondoTunes and after much research IMO i believe you guys provide exceptional services unmatched by others.  I've added MondoTunes to a sticky thread in the Song forum recommended listing.  

Thanks for stopping by to explain/clarify.  I wish MondoTunes and fellow artists/writers great success! 

Guitarhacker


Read Danny's reply in this thread...post #13  http://forum.cakewalk.com/tm.aspx?m=2717531

Distribution is expensive when it's done right. If it was as simple and inexpensive as hiring a company for under $100 to "distribute" worldwide..... everyone would be in on it. 

I'm sure they offer a legit service but on the other hand, record labels are spending hundreds of thousands of dollars on just one MAJOR artist who is known. Certainly, a record label doesn't just throw money away on their own distribution channels...... do they? 

My thought is this: If you have something worth distributing, there is a label somewhere who will sign you and like Danny pointed out, they pick up the tab. 

without a label, as a totally independent musician, it is still possible to make a very comfortable living selling your music..... but you must be pro-active in creating the buzz, creating a demand for your music, and finding ways to get the product into the hands and Ipods of the fans. 

Pomplamoose is one group that has done this very well. http://www.youtube.com/wa...amp;feature=plpp_video

they created the market and sold to it. even landed a car commercial as a result. read their story. 

Hi Herb

Thanks for mentioning that 'other' thread.  

I had read Danny's excellent contribution to that thread "Making Money out of Music' (a question people have been asking for over a century) and the sad reality is; due to the nature of the beast (Music Business) = being 'truly' successful regardless if artists/writers are signed to a major, indie or straight-out self-released under their own LLC publishing/label name is no easy feat; no easy feat being an understatement....  

Sadly I know of many incredibly talented artists/writers (friends) who lost just about everything for reasons such as; 

(1) extremely stressful and long hours involved which led them to dangerous drug habits and eventually led to divorce; marriage breakdown. 

(2) got themselves in so much debt they lost everything including a breakdown of their marriage (divorce). 

I'm talking about truly gifted ((very talented)) artists/writers who poured an enormous amount of their time and work, who have collected music awards and who were all signed to a label.  Point is; not all artists/writers go on to be 'truly' successful and as the old saying goes; it takes more than talent. 

That is the sad reality. At the end of the term a lot of artists/writers probably would have made more money in less hours with far less stress as; a sales manager working 40 hours a week in a department store. 

I did mention earlier on in this thread (and in other similar topics/threads), in regards to self-released indie artists; it's very important to have very good marketing plans (and other strategies such as; perform live), professional artists who have been performing live for many years but are unsigned and/or run their own indie label can also have good 'connections'. There are ways to build up relationships 'connections' in all areas of the music business but it takes time, effort and having a good sense/knowledge of business relationship skills. The trade off for that effort; the artists/writers have more control and can work around 'their' schedule and it's like that old saying; teach a person how to fish and you have fed them for a lifetime.  

You simply can't release an album then sit back all comfy and cosey hoping for the best because there are literally thousands of new releases every week thanks to great advancements in technology and the Internet which has made it all so convenient and easy for literally 'anyone' to release an album = Over-Saturation of the music scene to the point of madness; competition is incredibly fierce and ruthless. 


Of course most labels especially the majors have connections AND backing ($$$) but not all artists/writers signed get that sort of support 'entirely' compared to other fellow artists and is why you only see a fraction of artists/writers that may appear to go on to become truly successful. So the question remains; at the end of their term success does not necessarily mean contentment in life such as; family; marriage; love; all things that money can't buy! 

The first thing artists/writers should ask themselves before diving into the Music Business is; do you truly believe in your writing and musicianship skills and are you prepared to be on-call 24/7 and work extremely hard for hours on end to the point that you might very rarely have the time to spend with your family?. 

Look at past greats; famous artists such as; Buddy Holly, Jim Morrison, Sid Vicious, Jimi Hendrix, Kurt Cobain, Michael Jackson, just to name a few who all died young and then understand the enormous pressures (stress) and oh well I guess you know what I mean! 


Anyway, sorry for the rant! 

There is a boat load of talent on these forums who pour a lot of time, money and effort into their craft; I truly wish them all great success! 

.