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!

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! 

Just upload it to a torrent site.  It will get distributed for free.

(YES, I'M KIDDING!!!)

As for a better answer, research selling on Amazon.

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.

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

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!! 

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...

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.  Mondo does not.  To repeat, 'read carefully' 

Cheers



Edit

MondoTunes has dropped by to post a clarification of their policy, and how to opt out of a release on any of their partners.  For more info, continue to read this thread.

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. 

Update: 

Received a speedy reply from MondoTunes in regards to physical distribution (CD)! 

If and when there is a demand based on digital sales.  Basically initially the main purpose of MondoTunes is 'digital distribution' and in relationship with Interscope/UMG (Universal Music Group)! 

I guess that explains why MondoTunes distribution is popular among major artists such as; Rihanna. Hint: UMG!  

The advantage with MondoTunes has over other distributors;   they provide a 'Marketing' service but of course at an extra cost; one-time fee of $89 which isn't too bad.  IMO at that price... it's a start-up Marketing package but probably worth the extra cost ($89) and if the music is truly awesome then I guess it could really catch-on ((lead to more exposure)) and for the unsigned; catch the attention of A&R. 

On another subject; Submission for single or album review for popular online magazines such as AMG (All Music Guide) reviews can be both/either positive or negative = there's no promise they'll give a favorable review and there's no guarantee they'll even bother to review a single/album. 

Anyway, that's my take on this whole deal and I suggest the OP very carefully weigh-up all the pros and cons among several choices of distributors mentioned in this thread and then decide on one... ((MondoTunes, Onerpm, CatapultDistribution, Dittomusic, for CD distribution; CDBaby or Amazon CD on Demand, CreateSpace))  Information is available on these sites and if you have any more questions that is not listed or clear... simply shoot them an Email :) 


Late Edit - Addition:

Quote/Excerpt from: MondoTunes

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! 




.

  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