Music Distribution 101:

The Ultimate Guide for

Independent Artists

Music Distribution 101: The Ultimate Guide for Independent Artists 1

Music Distribution 101: The Ultimate Guide for
Independent Artists

Thriving in the New Music Industry 4

4 Music Industry Truths For Independent Artists 5

1. “Making it” means different things to different people 5

2. Streaming is only going to get bigger 5

3. The basics of self-promotion matter more than ever 6

4. You can make a living with your music 6

Building a Killer Web Presence: Where to Start 7

Your website: The essentials you need 8

Choosing a website template 8

Colors and fonts 8

Images and video 8

Homepage 8

Call to action 9

Contact page 9

Artist bio 9

Music and social links 9

Social media: Do’s and don’ts for every artist 10

Do cover your SEO basics 10

Do post with consistency, purpose 10

Do post behind-the-scenes content 10

Do use the right hashtags and account tags 10

Don’t leave your fans out in the cold 11

Don’t forget about social selling 11

 Don’t overlook the power of Facebook artist pages 11

Don’t neglect lesser-used social platforms 11

Streaming Services And Communities: Which Ones Matter? 12

The digital stores 12

The music streaming communities 12

The social media communities 13

Electronic Press Kits: Putting Your Best Foot Forward 14

Artist Bio 14

Press Pieces and Social Proof 14

Music Streaming and Social Links 15

Promotional Photos 15

Upcoming Show Dates 15

Detailed Contact Info 15

Releasing Your New Music: A Step-By-Step Walkthrough 16

Your New Release is Ready to Go—Now What? 16

Your Pre-Release Checklist 17

Three months before release 17

One month before release 17

Three weeks or less before release 17

Your Post-Release Checklist 19

Royalties and Monetization: Get Paid For Your Music 20

Royalty Collection Basics 21

Monetizing On YouTube 22

Other Monetization Opportunities 22

Refine, Rinse, Repeat 24

Thriving in the
New Music Industry
There has never been a more exciting moment in history for
independent music.

Tectonic shifts in how records are distributed, promoted, and

shared worldwide have altered how everyone interacts with
music. Listeners can discover their new favorite song, artist,
or genre in a few simple clicks, taps, or swipes. As a result,
the opportunities available to independent musicians are
seemingly endless.

The complex part of this equation is turning those open doors

into sustainable income. Knowing how to make the most of
digital distribution channels and DIY marketing tactics can
feel like a tall order, especially when the volume of online
content only continues to skyrocket.

But rest assured, there is a way. With an effective marketing

plan, a robust web presence, and a strategic approach to your
distribution and promotional activity, making a living off your
music is more than possible—it’s easier than you think.

This guide to successful music distribution will walk you

through every step of the process. From understanding
copyright regulations and how to collect your royalties to
acing your social media content and press kit, this step-by-
step eBook will give you the tools to grow your audience and
realize all your music goals.

Music Distribution 101: The Ultimate Guide for Independent Artists 4

4 Music Industry Truths For
Independent Artists
Building your independent music success story starts with understanding how
the game is played.

This level of awareness goes beyond a superficial grasp of how the industry works. In addition,
you must have a clear picture of how the music business’ everyday machinations affect you
and your vision. The more prepared you are, the more manageable the climb becomes.

So, before jumping headlong into the nuts and bolts of music distribution, let’s examine four
crucial music industry truths that will lay the foundation for a winning strategy.

1 2
“Making it” means
Streaming is only going to
different things to
get bigger
different people
Because the definition of success varies Even in the face of a nostalgia-driven surge
from artist to artist, it’s impossible to in physical media sales, such as vinyl and
measure progress and growth if you don’t cassettes, streaming is still the planet’s
start with a concrete goal that’s achievable primary means for music consumption.
and scalable. And, if recent data trends are any indication,
streaming’s dominance will only continue to
Leave ideas like “get discovered” or “go grow.
viral” at the door and ask yourself: what does
“making it” mean to me? Does it involve Regardless of your music’s genre or style,
growing your audience on social media, streaming is an integral part of building a
hitting a certain threshold of streams, or devoted fanbase and expanding your global
playing at a specific venue? reach.

Even if it’s none of the above, that’s okay.

This is your dream, and it must come from
your wants and no one else’s. Once you
define success, you’re already ahead of the
curve.

Music Distribution 101: The Ultimate Guide for Independent Artists 5

Music Distribution 101: The Ultimate Guide for Independent Artists 5
3 4
The basics of self-promotion You can make a living with
matter more than ever your music
Another significant piece of an independent For many years, the stereotypical view of an
artist’s day-to-day is self-promotion. indie music artist’s professional outlook was
With less adherence to labels and like those famous Annie lyrics: “It’s a hard-
fewer managerial gatekeepers, a sound knock life for us.”
promotional strategy can level the playing
field and open the right doors at the best But times have changed. Livestreaming
possible time. revenue, song royalties, and other
monetization opportunities can turn
Is self-promotion hard work? Yes. Does it hundreds of listeners into thousands or even
involve a commitment to content creation tens of thousands of dollars worth of income.
and social media marketing? Absolutely. Your income sources can also pave the way
It can take hours of work, especially in the for live gigs, session work, licensing and sync
beginning. But, in a world where consumers deals, and much more.
rack up nearly two trillion global song
streams in less than a year, the appetite for The moral of the story? Your music can
new music is there. replace your day job and can be your full-
time income source. With this guide as
All you have to do is entice and excite music your best resource, it’s only a matter of time
fans by putting your best foot forward. before you’re able to make a living off your
creative output.

Music Distribution 101: The Ultimate Guide for Independent Artists 6

Music Distribution 101: The Ultimate Guide for Independent Artists 6
Building a Killer Web Presence:
Where to Start
There’s no way around it: Growing your audience starts and ends with a
killer web presence.

Yes, social media accounts and websites are part of this, but they’re only
the tip of the iceberg. Online communities like those found on Reddit,
Discord, Twitch, as well as a fully customized artist profile across all
streaming platforms, are also crucial to your success.

However, each of these components doesn’t promote your music merely

by existing. They’re tools you must use with precision and purpose. How
you use them is what separates casual creators from artists able to make a
living off their work.

Here’s a brief look at what this section will cover:

Your website
It’s your digital storefront and arguably your most important asset for
listeners to discover your music, content, and creative process. It’s a hub
for everything related to your projects.

Social media
Platforms like Facebook (and Facebook Live), Instagram (and Instagram
Live), Twitch, TikTok, Snapchat, Reddit, Discord and others are key to
amplifying your voice. They’re crucial to expanding your digital reach.

Music streaming communities

If the global COVID-19 pandemic taught artists anything, it’s that online
streaming communities are an essential part of a successful portfolio.
Examples include Soundcloud, Bandcamp, Mixcloud, Reverbnation, and
more.

Digital service provider (DSP) artist profiles

Because they’re so integral to the average independent musician’s
distribution model, your DSP artist profiles on services like Spotify and
Apple Music deserve considerable attention. Minor tweaks to your photos
and bio go a long way.

Music Distribution 101: The Ultimate Guide for Independent Artists 7

Your website: creative choices align with your brand and
music.
The essentials you need
Do the colors and fonts suit your music’s
Despite some whispers to the contrary, genre and mood? Are they an accurate
websites are still a valuable 21st-century reflection of your unique voice? Only you
digital marketing tool. Besides giving can know for sure. That said, it’s best to take
your brand an air of professionalism and the “less is more” approach and limit yourself
accessibility, you also have complete to three colors (a primary, secondary, and
creative control over the words, images, and accent) and two font styles (one for headers
videos you decide to share. You can even and one for body text) for a clean, crisp look.
create opportunities to sell music and merch
to fans.
Images and video
Building a truly great website for your
music means making choices that serve an If there’s one unmissable takeaway from
excellent user experience. While this eBook this entire section, it’s this: only use high-
won’t cover every aspect of website creation, quality photos on your website. Preferably
ensure you’ve got these fundamentals ones you’ve had professionally taken and/
covered before your site goes live. or created yourself. Stay away from stock
photos altogether. Nothing makes a website
look unprofessional faster than blurry, poorly
Choosing a website template lit, low-res images, so don’t skimp on quality.

Your website’s template provides you with Depending on the route you want to take,
a structural starting point you can then this can mean an additional expense in
customize to suit all of your needs. Providers the web creation process, but trust us, it’s
like WordPress, Wix, Squarespace, and 100 percent worth it. Photos will play a
others offer libraries with thousands of significant role in making an excellent first
templates to choose from—some are even impression. Plus, these photos have some
explicitly themed for musicians! added benefits: You can use them when you
need to submit an artist bio and even post
Before selecting a template, be sure it’s them on social media.
mobile-friendly since most people will
access your site from a smartphone or tablet.
Google also punishes websites that aren’t Homepage
mobile-friendly in its search rankings, which
means your site would become less visible A homepage is arguably the most important
to consumers. brand statement you’ll see on any website.
Think of it as the newspaper’s front page,
but one dedicated only to your music: The
Colors and fonts content may change over time, but it must
display the most crucial information you
All website templates come with a color want visitors to know.
palette and fonts built into their design so
that options will be available to you out of The most effective musician homepages
the box. However, you need to ensure those

Music Distribution 101: The Ultimate Guide for Independent Artists 8

we’ve seen include the following elements: Ensure your contact form syncs correctly
with your inbox to avoid missing messages.
A header image or video And, even if you have a working contact
A short bio form, it’s never a bad idea to link out to an
A music player email or phone number, just in case.
Updates about your music
Upcoming show dates
Links to all your social media accounts Artist bio

Above all else, anyone who views your An artist’s story matters just as much as the
homepage should instantly know what rhythms and lyrics in their songs. Listeners
you and your music are all about. If you’re want to get to know you, and even if it’s hard
generating more confusion than excitement, at first, you must put at least some of yourself
you need to revisit your homepage’s content out there in response. Imagine a friend
and ensure everything is tuned to your introducing you to strangers at a dinner
desired branding. party—what would you want them to say
about you?

Call to action Depending on where you’re at in your music

career, the nuts and bolts of your artist bio
Every webpage serves a purpose, guiding will differ. It doesn’t need to be long, nor
visitors to take a specific action that ranges does it need to focus on intimate personal
from signing up for a newsletter to pre- details you’d rather not dish out. Instead, the
ordering an album. These guiding forces are goal is to make a lasting first impression on
your calls to action (CTAs), which typically potential fans.
take the form of either buttons or in-line text
links.
Music and social links
Like your homepage content, CTAs can
change over time. The link you’re sending Make sure that your music and social media
visitors should evolve alongside your music links must be front and center across your
career and artistic goals. You’ll want to entire website. You can do this easily at the
keep an eye on what will move the needle top (header) or bottom (footer) of your site
from an audience engagement and growth with icons that link out to your profiles.
perspective.
When it comes to embedded content (which
is content that’s pulled from other sites to
Contact page show up on yours), it’s best to pick your spots
to emphasize your newest or most popular
One of the most frustrating website work rather than inject your music into every
experiences is searching high and low for corner of your site. It’s easy for embeds to
contact information, only to come up empty- quickly become visual overkill and create
handed. To avoid this scenario, ensure your slowdown issues when visitors are loading
contact details are both up to date (no old your site.. Building a dedicated media page
email or physical addresses, please) and easy can be a solid solution to this too.
to find.

Music Distribution 101: The Ultimate Guide for Independent Artists 9

Social media: Do’s and back and flesh out details about the fans you
want to reach.
don’ts for every artist
In short, you need to define what content
Social media isn’t simply a marketing fans will engage with. Once you land on what
tool—it’s part of the fabric of everyday life. you want to share, give them what they want
Independent musicians must be strategic regularly by posting at least every 2-3 days in
with their approach to Instagram, TikTok, the beginning.
Facebook, and others if they want to gain a
strong foothold in online communities. If you can post nearly every day, even better.
Social media algorithms (math equations
Start with these fundamental dos and don’ts: platforms use to decide who gets to see
what content) also favor regularity, so posting
Do cover your social media basics consistently helps you get on potential fans’
radars.
It’s easy to get caught up in the particulars
of the ‘what’ and the ‘when’ when planning
posts to maximize likes and shares. But, Do post behind-the-scenes content
in reality, increasing your impressions,
engagement, and follower number, Giving your fans a window into your creative
especially in the beginning, involves being process is a fantastic way to drum up year-
brilliant at the basics. round interest in your music. Even when
you’re not promoting a new song or album, it
Create an attractive social media profile by lets you showcase your personality through
using these tips: your work and connect with viewers on a
• Keeping your crucial artist information deeper level.
updated, including your contact
information, links to your DSP artist profiles, When you post behind-the-scenes social
and a list of future gigs. media content, don’t forget to ask for input
on your in-progress tracks. It makes the
• Ensuring your profile and banner images experience more interactive for fans and
are sized correctly. There’s seriously no allows you to receive instant feedback on
excuse for letting pixelated or warped your current projects.
photos go public.

• Make sure all your online accounts point to Do use the right hashtags and account tags
the right material. For most artists, this will
mean links to your latest release. Tagging the right topics or accounts in your
posts maximizes your visibility with your
audience and recognizable brands or figures
Do post with consistency and purpose in the industry. With some planning, you will
better position your music to reach the right
Before posting any social media content, people.
don’t forget to ask yourself the “what” and
“why” questions. What is this post’s purpose? If you mention a venue, brand, or another
Why is this important to my audience? If musician in your post, tag them instead of
you’re unsure of the answers, take a step

Music Distribution 101: The Ultimate Guide for Independent Artists 10

simply typing out their name. Also, avoid Don’t overlook the power of Facebook
overusing hashtags or stuffing your posts artist pages
with ones that may be too general. It’s always
better to start at a niche level and expand Though sometimes regarded as an over-the-
outward. hill social network, the power of Facebook
artist pages is not to be underestimated.
Create a budget for promoted posts and
Don’t leave your fans out in the cold paid ads when you’re planning on pushing
a new release, which opens up the door to
Whatever your definition of success is potential fans.
as a musician, your listeners are the ones
who help you get there. Because of this, Another underrated plus for Facebook artist
your social media content must make your pages is that it helps your search engine
followers part of the experience. Don’t talk at results page (SERP) visibility. Because
them—instead, have a two-way conversation. algorithms still favor Facebook business and
artist pages in search results, you’ll have an
Interact regularly with your supporters online easier time expanding your digital reach with
by answering questions (you can even host one.
an AMA on your chosen platform) and use
these interactions to drive further curiosity
about your music. The more immediate the Don’t neglect lesser-used social platforms
experience, the more satisfying it is for fans.
So far, this section has been a who’s-who of
social media sites. However, platforms like
Don’t be shy about sharing links to your Quora, Reverbnation, and LinkedIn all have
music and merch their unique perks and, depending on your
unique goals as an artist, can be a valuable
Social media isn’t only about listener part of your distribution strategy.
interactions either. Platforms like Facebook,
Instagram, and Snapchat can easily be used While these platforms aren’t typically used
as vehicles to grant fans instant access to to share music, they may be what you need
physical copies of your music, merch, show for networking and other business-related
tickets, and much more. purposes.

Music Distribution 101: The Ultimate Guide for Independent Artists 11

Streaming Services And and keep 100% of the royalties. You’ll also
be able to seamlessly manage your artist
Communities: Which Ones profile across all platforms and stand out on
Matter? different streaming services with the ability
to pitch songs to playlist editors.
Every conversation about music
consumption now begins and ends with
streaming services and communities. The music streaming communities
Platforms like Spotify, Apple Music, YouTube,
and many others give independent artists In addition to popular digital stores,
avenues to instantly deliver their music to the independent artists also have music-focused
masses. online music communities as a ready-
made distribution tool. The advantage of
But, with hundreds of platforms at any leveraging one of these communities is
musician’s disposal, it can be hard to that anybody can upload tracks to these
separate the must-haves from the nice-to- platforms for free (at least at the outset).
haves. To ensure your music is available to
your ideal audience, you need to know which Examples of music streaming communities
ones matter. include:

This section will break down the most • Soundcloud

important streaming services into digital • Bandcamp
stores, music streaming communities, and • Mixcloud
social media communities. • Reverbnation

Each music streaming community has

The digital stores its built-in advantages. For example,
Bandcamp is an excellent resource for
Most of the platforms in this category will be indie groups looking to release full-length
well-known to most artists. Our picks for the projects directly with listeners. Conversely,
most important streaming platforms for indie Soundcloud is ideal for hip hop, trap, and
musicians are: electronic producers who are more focused
on releasing singles and capitalizing on the
• Spotify platform’s reputation as a trendsetter in
• Apple Music/iTunes those genres.
• Amazon Music
• Tidal Do your research to learn more about which
• Pandora music streaming community best suits your
• YouTube Music needs.
• Deezer

The best way to get your work onto those The social media communities
and other digital stores is using a trusted
distribution service like LANDR, which can Social media communities offer artists an
send your music directly to 150+ stores, help unparalleled (and often free) way to build
you to monetize across all these platforms, their brand. Many established platforms also

Music Distribution 101: The Ultimate Guide for Independent Artists 12

support dedicated live streaming options. While these community-centered sites don’t
necessarily pay out per stream as digital
Examples of platforms that fall into this store platforms do, there are still many ways
category include: to make money off your music within social
media communities. However, before taking
• Twitch that leap, ensure you have an active presence
• YouTube in an existing social media community and
• Instagram Reels that you’re already regularly engaging with
• Facebook Live fans there.
• TikTok
• Reddit

Music Distribution 101: The Ultimate Guide for Independent Artists 13

Electronic Press Kits: Putting
Your Best Foot Forward
Your electronic press kit (EPK) is another critical tool all independent musicians must have in
their arsenal. Like your web presence, An EPK helps get all your most important info, including
your bio and promotional photos, into the hands of industry figures, festival or event bookers,
and media outlets.

Think of your EPK as a one-stop shop for any promotional outreach related to your music.
Whether you want to contact venues about possible show dates or do a press blitz to generate
buzz around your new record, an up-to-date EPK makes you look organized and professional
and streamlines the outreach process.

Let’s take a detailed look at the elements that go into creating a standout EPK.

Artist Bio Press Pieces and

Social Proof
Like your website’s artist bio, this text is
about grabbing a reader’s attention, so write Showcasing positive public opinion is
it as if an interviewer will use it as your intro another big part of a winning EPK. Often
on a radio or podcast segment. Present referred to as “social proof” in marketing,
highlights and, if you have them at your it’s a chance to let others talk about you and
disposal, any recent accolades or press your music’s quality. Social proof in an EPK
quotes. The more compelling the narrative, can take on multiple forms, including (but
the more people will be drawn to your story. not limited to):

Because different venues or publications will • Press quotes

have different word count requirements, it’s • Vendor/industry quotes
also wise to have two versions of your bio, a • Music reviews
long and a short, in your EPK. In both cases, • Streaming statistics that showcase growth
make sure the final text doesn’t drone on. (e.g., 500,000 new streams in 2021)
Keep the information in your bio concise and
to the point. As your career progresses, make sure you
continually update this section of your

Music Distribution 101: The Ultimate Guide for Independent Artists 14

EPK to highlight new accolades, reviews, venues, and more, so give EPK recipients
profiles, and more as they come in. Increased options. Include a combination of portrait
social proof helps give promotional and and landscape aspect ratios, as well as
distribution campaigns added momentum, images that can be edited to fit the standard
especially right before a new release drops. 1:1 square ratio often seen on Instagram and
other social media platforms.

Music Streaming and

Social Links Upcoming Show Dates
If you have upcoming dates to support a new
It should go without saying, but links to
or future release, include those in your EPK.
your music and social media accounts must
For industry professionals, it’s a sign that
be clear, up to date, and easy to access.
you’re actively performing and can further
Ensure all your information is titled or
entice them to check out your material.
labeled correctly and all the included links
point to the appropriate account. Broken or
If you have an existing live setup for your live
incorrect links can instantly turn an otherwise
gigs, include a stage plot as a downloadable
captivating EPK into an unprofessional mess.
file linked in your EPK. Be sure to export it in
a widely-used file format, like a PDF or PNG,
The music you should include will depend
and communicate all the essential technical
on the goal of your EPK. If you’re releasing
details clearly in the document.
a new album soon, you’ll want to share a
private, password-protected link to the
entire record and highlight the lead single
in another section. Otherwise, you’ll want Detailed Contact Info
to showcase your most exceptional work.
Public relations and media professionals will
The last thing you want as a final flourish in
only listen to a couple of tracks—make them
your EPK is appropriate contact information.
count.
Industry figures, bookers, venue managers,
and so on need to be able to get in touch
with you quickly, so be sure to include
Promotional Photos multiple ways for them to do so, such as:

Your EPK must include a few high-resolution • Phone

photos that you can use for various purposes. • Email
If you have them, a mixture of posed • Mailing address
“photoshoot”-style images and snapshots • Agent info (if needed)
of your live performances is better than only
using the former. By making your contact information available
at a glance, you’ll put yourself in a better
Keep in mind that these photos will be position to capitalize on various press and
cropped and repurposed by media outlets, live opportunities down the road.

Music Distribution 101: The Ultimate Guide for Independent Artists 15

Releasing Your New Music:
A Step-By-Step Walkthrough

Your New Release is Ready to Go—

Now What?

You’ve poured your heart and soul into new music you can’t wait
for the world to hear. All that’s left to do is release it to the masses.
But how do you make sure your music reaches the right ears, is
considered for the right playlists, and generates a huge buzz?

All those questions are addressed in this step-by-step distribution

and promotion walkthrough. This checklist will help you maximize
your music’s reach and earning potential during the run-up to and
after your release.

This checklist encompasses the fundamentals every independent

artist should consider before releasing new music. That said, not
every item on the list will be relevant to every artist.

For example, only artists who want to create and launch a PR

campaign around their new music will need to follow the steps
listed for completion two to three months prior. If you’re not
planning on spending money on promotion, feel free to skip this
section.

For more information on any topics listed below, check out

LANDR’s collection of blogs and other supplemental content.

Music
Music Distribution
Distribution 101:
101: The
The Ultimate
Ultimate Guide
Guide for
for Independent
Independent Artists
Artists 16
16
1-2 Months Before Your more than just a single track, dropping a
pre-release single is ideal for giving fans
Release and industry professionals a glimpse of
what they can expect. If you’re releasing
•A
 ddress all outstanding legal and a single, consider sharing a short (10-15
copyright queries. This includes registering seconds worth) clip as your preview.
with the organizations you need to collect
royalties (both live and recorded), getting • Prepare website updates in advance of
proof of rights for any samples used, and launch day. Once your music becomes
getting licenses for cover songs. LANDR is available, you’ll want fresh website content
a great option to help you take care of all of ready to go. Writing new text and adding
these tasks in one place. new photos ahead of time will save you
from experiencing any headaches on
•S
 tart documenting the journey for your launch day.
fans. Any behind-the-scenes content
you produce will add more layers to your • Launch audience-building initiatives on
upcoming release, so keep your fans in the social media accounts. These can include
loop throughout the pre-release process. publishing questions or polls that get your
fans involved, revamping your Facebook
•B
 uild your marketing plan. Before your artist page, boosting a particular post that
music hits streaming services, setting clear teases your new music, and much more.
marketing objectives is vital. Increasing The name of the game is simple: Get
plays and exposure starts with thorough, everyone excited about the sonic gift you’re
thoughtful planning, including which about to give them!
platforms will be the most advantageous
for you to focus on.

•F
 inalize photos for press outreach. 3 Weeks Or Less Before Your
It’s worth repeating here that, for any
promotional photos, get high-quality Release
originals made. Stay away from low-
resolution photos of yourself and stock 1 week before submission (3 weeks before
images that aren’t a direct reflection of your release)
new music.
• Get your music mastered in a high-res
•W
 rite the story behind your new music. format. Exporting your mastered tracks in
This description can be repurposed across .WAV format is ideal. For best results, try
streaming submissions, included in your LANDR’s free professional online mastering
press kit, and used in other promotional that allows you to preview your tracks and
scenarios, such as interviews. Capture the get customized results based on your
“why” that makes your music stand out from music’s unique sonic qualities.
the crowd.
• Finalize your cover art in either JPEG or
•D
 rop a buzzworthy single to preview the PNG file format. Respect minimum and
new music! If you’re planning to release maximum aspect ratios too: Your image

Music Distribution 101: The Ultimate Guide for Independent Artists 17

 should measure at least 1500x1500 pixels you pitch your music to playlist curators
and no more than 6000x6000 pixels. Get a minimum of seven days prior to your
help from LANDR pros to make sure your release.
cover art is looking its best before your
release. • Add a Canvas video through Spotify For
Artists to give your artist profile additional
•G
 ather all sample licenses you need for visual flare and help your brand stand out
your new music. These will be requested online.
during the submission process, so having
them ready to go can significantly reduce • Create a Spotify playlist related to your
the time spent submitting new tracks and music to generate additional buzz on this
getting your samples cleared. platform. Find a common thread, such as
a common genre, style, mood, or subject
matter, and lean into tracks you love that
2 weeks before release (submit your music) match your new music’s vibe.

• I f your new material is a cover, there’s no • Update your Apple and Amazon Music
need to go through any extra steps. LANDR profiles to match the information on your
will take care of your cover license for you! Spotify artist page. Ensuring information
and imagery consistency is key at this
•V
 erify your music has been delivered to stage.
streaming platforms, ideally two days after
you submit. You’ll receive an email letting • Update your official YouTube artist
you know the LANDR submission process channel (if you have one) to match the
was successful and that your promo link information on your other streaming
page is available to share. platform artist pages. Using LANDR’s
distribution interface also helps simplify
this part of your submission process.
10 days before release (prepare your
promotion) • Upload your lyrics to Musixmatch.
This step ensures your words are seen
•S
 et up your promo link and your Spotify on Spotify, Instagram stories, and other
pre-save to ensure everything is in the platforms Musixmatch sync with.
right place before your release. This is also
an ideal time to order the platforms, add
additional links to your merch or any other When your music is released (celebrate!)
page you think your audience will love.
• Share your promo link everywhere. And
•U
 pdate your Spotify profile and, if you we really mean everywhere. Put it front and
haven’t done so already, claim and get it center on your website, share it in an email
verified instantly with LANDR. to your fans, post it on socials, add it to your
Spotify artist bio, and add your new music
•P
 itch your music to Spotify playlists via to your Spotify playlist. In short, make some
Spotify For Artists, which, if you used noise!
LANDR earlier in this process, will already
be claimed and verified for you. Make sure

Music Distribution 101: The Ultimate Guide for Independent Artists 18

•H
 it play on your marketing campaign. • Extend your marketing and promotional
Now that your music is available to the campaigns going. By continuing your
masses, it’s time to hit the gas on your promo efforts more than one or two weeks
marketing strategy. Refer to the plan you post-launch, you’ll keep the release top-of-
made earlier in this checklist and execute mind for both fans and industry decision-
your first wave of action items. makers.
• Refresh your social media content
•C
 reate banner & social images with an calendar to focus on fan engagement. By
“Out Now” call-to-action. These graphics continuously adding new, interactive ideas
help entice fans to click over to your latest to your content calendar, you’ll infuse your
release. LANDR’s promolinks page, with promotional material with fresh energy.
pre-save call-to-action options, is available
for free 24 hours after platform submissions • Create specific promo campaigns around
and makes this part of the process stress- your new release. Some ideas for this
free. category can include a discount code for
merch (if you have it), giveaways and other
freebies for your fans, and other contests
Your Post-Release Checklist related to livestream or tour dates.

• Find your superfans and understand who

Congratulations! Once you’ve reached this
they are. Data-driven decision-making is
stage, your new music is out. However, just
at the heart of successful distribution and
because your release date has come and
promotion. The more you understand your
gone doesn’t mean your work is done. In
audience’s behavior through analyzing
the words of the immortal Karen Carpenter,
streaming and engagement numbers, the
we’ve only just begun.
more your future content will resonate with
your fans.
•P
 itch your music to playlisters and
curators interested in your genre and style.
• Amplify your reach by networking with the
Getting in touch with curators for some of
right blogs & industry entities.
the biggest playlists out there may sound
This can take time but can pay off in spades
like a tall order, but it’s achievable with
like playlist curation submissions. Use solid
some perseverance. Web searches, social
research and existing contacts to create
media, Reddit, and Discord threads are
a media email list relevant to your goals
excellent places to start.
and your fans’ interests. Quality is more
important than quantity here.
•C
 reate and share visual and video content
related to your new music release. This can
include (but isn’t limited to) music videos,
lyric videos, Instagram reels and story
updates, TikTok videos, and so on.

Music Distribution 101: The Ultimate Guide for Independent Artists 19

Royalties and Monetization:
Get Paid For Your Music
Once your music is available to listeners worldwide, you’ll want to enjoy the fruits of your
labor and make some money off your creativity. Whether you’re looking to start with a
music-related side hustle or turn your artistry into your sole source of income, there are
several steps you should follow to reap the most reward from your sonic output.

Music
Music Distribution
Distribution 101:
101: The
The Ultimate
Ultimate Guide
Guide for
for Independent
Independent Artists
Artists 20
20
Royalty Collection Basics reading for more information on those
agreements and how they can earn you extra
Most artists depend on different types income.
of royalties and music publishing as their
primary income source. But, with so many
moving parts, you must understand how to How to collect your songwriter royalties
set up your metadata correctly to make sure
you collect all royalties you’re due. First, you need to register with the
appropriate Performance Rights
Organization (PRO) to start collecting
Types of music royalties performance royalties.

Music royalties are split into two categories: The PRO you choose will depend on your
songwriting and recording. location:

Songwriting royalties apply only to the • ASCAP and BMI for the United States
individual(s) who composed the track, • SOCAN for Canada
while the recording royalties apply to all • SESAC for Europe
individual(s) who are part of the artist entity.
The latter is different because, in a band, The sooner you sign up with a PRO, the
it’s possible that not all the members are sooner you can start collecting songwriter
songwriters, but all participated in the royalties. If you sign up after you’re owed any
recording, and are therefore eligible for of these royalties for your music, don’t worry:
earnings in the second royalty category. You can retroactively claim outstanding
earnings post-registration. Most of the time,
A songwriter royalty is anything owed to you, this means a larger initial cheque is coming
as the composer or publisher of a musical your way.
work, every time a copy of a song or album
is streamed, downloaded, or physically
manufactured. These royalties also How to collect your recording royalties
encompass instances where the composer is
paid when their song is covered. Every time your music is streamed,
downloaded, or purchased, you’re owed a
Recording royalties represent what you’re royalty. However, to collect that income, your
owed, even if you didn’t compose the metadata must be recorded properly. Always
song, every time it’s played on the radio, list yourself as the publisher of your own
TV, a streaming platform, a video game, a music. Don’t list your PRO instead since your
presentation, and a physical space like a PRO isn’t the one publishing the tracks or
store or live venue. albums.

Both types of royalties are paid to artists over Using a centralized distribution service like
and above any music licensing or sync deals LANDR makes this process much easier if
agreements they may have with various you don’t have an existing deal with a music
media organizations. However, it’s important publisher. In addition to helping you earn
to keep in mind that LANDR does not collect royalties from more than 150 digital stores
songwriter royalties on your behalf. Keep and platforms, you keep 100% of what you
make and retain all the rights. You’ll even

Music Distribution 101: The Ultimate Guide for Independent Artists 21

continue to earn royalties if you’re no longer The best way to make sure your music is
a LANDR user. added correctly to YouTube Content ID is
to use a distribution platform like LANDR.
Whenever you create a new release on
Monetizing On YouTube LANDR Distribution, all you need to do is
select “YouTube Content ID” during the
submission procedure. Once your music has
been processed, we’ll confirm your music’s
What can be monetized on YouTube?
eligibility for YouTube Content ID.
As a musician, you can monetize content
For more on how to monetize your music
published on YouTube if:
across YouTube, Facebook, and Instagram,
check out the FAQs on the LANDR website.
•Y
 our music appears in an original video you
create and upload

•Y
 our music appears in user-generated Other Monetization
content uploaded by others
Opportunities
•A
 ny content your music appears in follows
Beyond music streaming royalties and
YouTube Community Guidelines
ad revenue payouts, there are plenty of
additional monetization opportunities
In practice, this means original music videos,
available to independent artists. Some of the
vlogs, tutorials, behind-the-scenes videos,
most popular avenues for earning additional
and other types of content can earn you
cash include:
money on YouTube. If one or several of your
songs appear in other users’ content, you can
Music licensing and sync deals
also collect revenue based on the stream
count and other factors.
Sometimes also called placements, this
category encompasses any time your music
However, there’s a big catch: You must
is used in other media. This includes films,
submit your tracks or beats to YouTube
TV series, video games, commercials, art
Content ID to capitalize on any monetization
installations, and more. Syncing is typically
opportunities. Otherwise, other individuals
handled by a production’s Music Supervisor,
may claim your music as their own and
who handles placements on behalf of the
collect any associated revenue.
studio or parent company.
Essentially, YouTube Content ID listens to
To unearth possible sync deal opportunities,
your music and stores that information so its
learn which production companies are in
algorithms can recognize any time it’s played
your region and get in touch with them about
in another video, whether you or other users
possibly using your music in an upcoming
upload it. If applicable, YouTube will place
project. You can also find more details
ads on those videos, allowing you to earn
on music licensing and sync deals on the
money.
LANDR blog.

Music Distribution 101: The Ultimate Guide for Independent Artists 22

Social selling Custom work on other people’s projects

Social selling occurs when brands connect A sizable amount of a musician’s income can
with fans directly through social media come from one-off collaborative projects
channels, often using direct messages. with other creatives. From scoring a film
Through strong relationship building, from scratch (instead of simply submitting
artists can deepen fans’ trust in them and existing material for licensing), producing
organically earn money through physical catchy beats for a media or art exhibition,
record and merch sales. and other such opportunities will get you
paid and open doors to additional work
It’s worth noting that social selling is never through referrals.
about spamming anyone’s DMs with
unsolicited content. It’s about making those When you create your LANDR profile, you
interactions meaningful and forming long- also get the opportunity to showcase your
term bonds with your listeners. This process work and skills to other artists and producers,
will make your music and other for-sale items which can create additional work. With over
naturally attractive to your target audience. 25,000 musicians on the LANDR network, it’s
a fantastic place to network with likeminded
creatives.

Don’t be shy about attending artist-focused

meetups or networking events in your region
and letting your friends know you’re open to
taking on these kinds of projects. You never
know who someone else knows!

Music Distribution 101: The Ultimate Guide for Independent Artists 23

Refine,
Rinse,
Repeat.
With your new music distribution campaign in the books, it’s time
to reflect and assess how the process went. What was successful?
What wasn’t? Which distribution and/or promotional tactics wowed
you and which, if any, fell short of expectations? The answers will
be unique to your musical journey and, more importantly, fuel the
decisions you make leading up to your next release.

Continuously optimize over time, from your overarching artistic goals

to the minute details of your press kit, website, and social media
content. Your follow-up release campaigns must take advantage of
the data-driven intel at your disposal to refine your approach, expand
your audience, and grow your global reach.

Doubling down on what’s working already is a significant part of

the optimization process. After all, if a particular piece of content or
strategic adjustment resonated with your fans, give them more of
what they like. That said, it’s also essential to trim the fat and seek out
new avenues for listener engagement.

With the knowledge and skills you’ve gained by reading this eBook,
one thing’s for sure: You have the baseline tools you need to make a
living as an independent artist.

Music
Music Distribution
Distribution 101:
101: The
The Ultimate
Ultimate Guide
Guide for
for Independent
Independent Artists
Artists 24
24
Win the
distribution game
with LANDR!
As this guide has demonstrated, there are a lot of details to keep track of
during the new music distribution process. With LANDR, you get more than
an online service. Instead, you get an all-in-one distribution partner that
makes it quick and easy to:

1 Distribute your music

to over 150 platforms, 2 Collect 100% of
your royalties for all
your tracks.
3 Monetize on
YouTube, Facebook,
including Spotify, Instagram and
Apple Music, Tidal, Tik Tok.
and more.

4 Master your music

online with free 5 Keep costs low with
affordable pricing 6 Get standout
support from
previews and and no hidden fees. talented musicians.
customization.

7 Get valuable
promotional and
technical assists from
LANDR experts

Try it today! Visit landr.com/en/digital-distribution