The "Traditional" Music Distribution Deal ...
The standard music distribution deal is based on what used to be the only distribution model in the music business. The old model went something like this... You find a record company which finances manufactures, distributes, promotes and handles publicity. You, as the artist or creator earn royalties after the label recovers the costs. The label owns the copyright and the masters. So, in the above scenario your distribution comes as part and package of the record deal you sign with the label. You can see why the record deal WAS the Holy Grail for musicians and bands. Record labels were the gatekeepers to the distribution companies who were the gatekeepers to the retailers. You had to therefore accept the fact that in order to get your music CD distributed in stores, you needed a record deal. This is no longer the case because the Internet flips the old world of music distribution on it's head. So you now have 360 deals, traditional deals, license deals, profit sharing deals, manufacturing deals and the self-distribution model. Confused? I suggest you spend some time and absorb this article in which David Byrne explains the above deals in detail. You'll notice five deals and one model, because self-distribution is not a deal. Deals involve you handing over various rights in exchange for a range of services which include distribution of your music. Self-distribution is the only model where you retain full rights over your music and other activities. You'll find it hard to get a music distribution deal unless you already have some kind of track record of success or can clearly demonstrate your commitment to promotion. So, forget about the music distribution deal at first, you can always sign one later when you have a better position to negotiate good terms. Think for now simply about how you will connect with your fans. You can use various music distribution companies to handle your online and offline distribution, you can sell music from your web site and at shows, you can directly approach local stores and retailers. Do what you can yourself and outsource the rest. You don't need a deal. Get started. All the best, Back to Independent Music Distribution Page
New! CommentsHave your say about what you just read! Leave me a comment in the box below. |
Grow Your Own
Music-Business-Life!
|
|
|
|
What others have to say...
| "Thank you for your help with our web strategy and social media presence. The integrated setup of the web site and our social profiles you helped us establish makes life so much easier. The buzz so far has been great and just keeps growing!" - Gareth, The Commercial Hippies / Nano Records thecommercialhippies.com "As the owner of a music studio, I have found this site to be extremely beneficial to musicians at any stage of development. Way to go, Marius!" - Lynne, may-studio-music-lessons.com "Marius has a very informative site on how to be a self-managing musician, and he takes the time to get back to you if you've got questions. He's a cool guy!" - Nate Maingard, Musician twitter.com/NateMaingard "It refreshing in so many ways to find something that's the truth and not just some "sign here pay this and tomorrow you're famous" website!! Marius has lent direction in gray areas for The Brokekings and certainly its been the most honest approach in getting our brand from our hard-drive to our tribe's ears." - Cliff Barns, The Brokekings http://thebrokekings.bandcamp.com "Yes, your site is great. I devoured all of it, watched all the Vids because you cover all the important current marketing strategies a band/artist should be doing. I totally agree with your angle on things, especially the way the old music biz paradigm is crumbling away and there are new ways for all of us Artists to empower ourselves." Paul Abrahams, The Reels |