Music distribution Deals Explained
In the music business, a distribution deal is essentially a distribution agreement between artists, record labels, and music distribution companies that sell music distribution.
Sound simple? Because it really is!
Whether it's paid or Free Music Distribution you need to look into this before starting.
The benefits and disadvantages may work in your favor, so reading this will clarify some things.
At the core, this is a music distribution deal:
In exchange for digital distribution, the artist or label usually pays a fee to companies.
A music distribution deal can be good for artists and record labels because it gives them access to a lot of different ways to get music out there.
This can make it easier for artists to get music heard by more people and can help them make money from their music.
Artists can also get useful information and data from digital distribution deals about how their music is doing, which can help them make smart decisions about their careers.
A music distribution deal can come in many forms, and the terms of each deal depend on the parties involved and the distribution company.
Some distribution deals are exclusive, which means that the artist or label can't use any other company to get music out there.
Other deals may not be exclusive, so the artist or label can work with more than one distribution company at once.
Some deals for distribution may only last for a certain amount of time, while others may go on forever... Lol, avoid those ones.
Overall, the traditional music distribution deal can be a great way for artists and labels to get music out on relevant streaming platforms and make money from it without a major label.
Artists, labels, and record companies should look into and compare different companies carefully to find the best deal for their needs and goals.
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Distribution vs Record Deal
A distribution deal is different from a record deal. A distribution deal is a contract to release the music to platforms, but not own the publishing or exclusively lock the artist in.
A distribution company agrees to send the artist's music to places like Spotify, Apple Music, Amazon, and physical record stores. In exchange, the artist or label usually pays a fee to the distribution company.
On the other hand, a record deal is a contract between an artist and a record label. The record label's role in this deal is to push the artist's digital downloads, get their music on online platforms, and put them in a better position to succeed.
The record label agrees to help the artist make and release their music by giving them help, resources, and knowledge.
This could mean paying for the artist's music to be recorded and made, promoting and selling their music, and giving them access to music industry connections and resources.
In exchange, the artist usually agrees to sign over the rights to their music to the record label and pay the label a portion of the money made from their music.
Artists who want to grow their careers and get their music heard by more people can use both distribution deals and record deals to their advantage.
However, the details of each type of deal can be very different, so artists need to do a lot of research and compare their options to find the best deal for their needs and goals.
Music Publishing VS Distribution - Full Breakdown!
How Much are Music distribution fees
The amount of fees for distributing music depends on the company doing the distributing and the details of the deal.
Some companies charge a flat fee for their services, while others charge a percentage of the artist's sales or streams.
Some companies may also have different price levels or packages with different levels of services and features.
Compare the 30 DistroKid alternatives to see how they stack against each other!
Music distribution fees can be anywhere from a few hundred dollars to several thousand dollars per year, depending on the company doing the distribution and the details of the deal.
Artists and labels should look into and compare different distribution companies carefully to find the best deal for their needs and budget.
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Distribution vs publishing Deal
A distribution deal is different from a publishing deal. Distribution is a service, publishing is an asset. Once the song is distributed then the deal ends, but a publishing deal involves music licensing and royalty collection as well.
A distribution deal is a contract between an artist or record label and a company that moves music.
The distribution company agrees to send the artist's music to places like Spotify, Apple Music, Amazon, and physical record stores.
In exchange, the artist or label usually pays a fee to the distribution company.
On the other hand, a publishing deal is an agreement between a songwriter or composer and a company that publishes music.
The publishing company agrees to promote and license the songwriter's or composer's musical works for use in movies, TV shows, commercials, and video games, among other things.
This is referred to as a Sync placement!
In exchange, the songwriter or composer usually agrees to give the publishing company a certain amount of the money their music makes.
In the music business, artists and songwriters who want to build their careers and get their music heard by more people can use both distribution deals and publishing deals to their advantage.
You've gotta do the damn diligence, yo!
However, the details of each deal can be very different, so artists and songwriters need to do a lot of research and compare their options to find the best deal for their needs and goals.
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Should you sign a distribution Deal?
Whether or not you should sign a distribution deal depends on what you want to do as an artist or record label and what your situation is. Whether you're with a major label, or you're an independent artist, you have some things to consider!
There are good things and bad things about signing a distribution deal, and the best choice for you will depend on your situation.
If you sign a distribution deal, you might get access to a lot of different channels and outlets for selling your product.
This can make it easier for a lot of people to hear your music, and it can also help you make money from your music.
Distribution deals can also give you useful information about how your music is doing, which can help you make decisions about your career that are based on facts.
On the other hand, signing a distribution deal may also mean giving up some control over your music and your career.
Giving up some of your intellectual property is no joke, and such deals could have serious consequences if you don't make the right deal with a trustworthy record company.
Depending on the details of the deal, you may have to pay a fee to the distribution company and follow their rules and requirements when releasing your music.
For example, TuneCore charges HUNDREDS a year in distribution fees!
Music Distribution For Record Labels!
Also, some distribution deals may be exclusive, which means that you can't use any other company to sell your music.
In the end, it's up to you to decide whether or not to sign a distribution deal based on your own goals and circumstances.
Before making a decision, you should carefully research and compare different distribution companies to find the best deal for your needs.
You should also think about the pros and cons of signing a distribution deal.
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