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In today's music industry, independent artists are thriving, along with the advent of home recording and digital music distribution. Thanks to platforms like Distrokid, artists can share their music with a global audience with the click of a button. One important thing to understand if you're an independent artist looking to distribute music with Distrokid is its distribution list. In this post, we'll look at Distrokid's distribution list and help you understand how to make the most of it.
Understanding Distrokid
Before diving into the distribution list, let's briefly review what Distrokid is. Distrokid is a digital music distribution service that allows artists to upload and distribute their music to various online platforms like Spotify, Apple Music, Amazon Music, and more. It simplifies releasing your music, making it accessible to fans everywhere.
Explore Distrokid's Distribution List (September 2023)
- Spotify
- Apple Music
- iTunes
- Instagram & Facebook
- TikTok
- TikTok Music (Beta)
- Resso
- Luna
- YouTube Music
- Amazon.com
- Pandora
- Deezer
- TIDAL
- iHeartRadio
- ClaroMusica
- Saavn
- Anghami
- KKBox
- Boomplay
- Snapchat
- NetEase
- Tencent
- QQ Music
- Kugou Music
- Kuwo Music
- WeSing
- Pretzel - Beta
- TouchTunes
- Audiomack
- Yandex Music
- Qobuz
- Joox
- Kuack Media Group
- Smaller outlets through MediaNet (Dubset, others)
What Is A Distribution List?
A distribution list is a list of online stores and streaming platforms where a given digital music distributor can make your music available online. Distrokid offers many options, allowing you to tailor your distribution to your needs. You can choose to distribute your music to popular platforms like Spotify, iTunes, and Amazon, as well as niche services and international stores. This flexibility ensures that your music reaches your desired audience, whether they're listening in New York, Tokyo, or somewhere in between.
The Power of Choice
One of the most important aspects of Distrokid's lis the power it places in the hands of you, the artist. With Distrokid, you can decide which platforms and territories are most relevant to your music. If you have a niche following in a particular country, you can focus your distribution efforts there. On the other hand, if you want your music to be accessible worldwide, you can select the global distribution option to cast a wider net.
The ability to customize your distribution list allows you to tailor your music release strategy to your goals. Whether you're looking to build a local fanbase or gain international recognition, Distrokid enables you to make strategic choices when deciding where your music will be available.
Navigating the Distribution List
Let's look at how to navigate Distrokid's distribution list. You'll reach the distribution section after you've uploaded your music and filled out the necessary information. Here, you'll find a list of stores and streaming platforms. All the options are selected by default, but this is where you can make your choices.
To start customizing your distribution list, uncheck the platforms you don't want your music distributed to. For instance, if you're exclusively focusing on streaming and don't want your music available for purchase on iTunes, you can deselect the iTunes option.
Potential of Exclusivity
While having your music available everywhere is tempting, there's another strategy to consider: exclusivity. Some artists release their music exclusively on one platform for a limited time. This can generate buzz and excitement among fans of that platform, potentially leading to increased streams and visibility.
Distrokid allows you to leverage this strategy by selecting or deselecting platforms strategically. For example, if you want to release your latest single exclusively on Spotify for the first week, you can do so by unchecking all other streaming platforms. After the exclusive period ends, you can make your music available everywhere, maximizing its reach.
Territorial Control
In addition to platform-specific choices, Distrokid's distribution list also offers territorial control. This means you can decide where your music is available country-by-country. For example, if you have a strong following in the United States but minimal interest in other countries, you can limit distribution to the U.S. alone. Alternatively, if you want to expand your global reach, you can select every territory available.
Territorial control is a powerful tool for targeting specific audiences and tailoring your music distribution to match your promotional efforts. It's a strategic way to make the most of your resources and focus your marketing efforts where they'll have the most significant impact.
Release Date and Pre-Save Options
Another advantage of Distrokid is the ability to set a release date and offer pre-save options. When you're planning a release, timing is crucial. With Distrokid, you can select the date you want your music to go live on each platform. This feature lets you coordinate your marketing efforts and create a buzz leading to the release.
Additionally, Distrokid offers the option to set up pre-saves. Pre-saves allow fans to add your upcoming release to their library before it's available. Pre-saves are a powerful tool for building anticipation and ensuring that your music gets a strong start on streaming platforms.
Keeping Track of Your Distribution
Once you've customized your distribution list and set your release date, Distrokid provides data and analytics that help you monitor the performance of your music on different platforms. This information can be invaluable for making informed decisions about your future releases and marketing strategies.
You can track how many streams and downloads your music receives on each platform and insights into your audience's location and demographics. This data empowers you to refine your promotional efforts and better understand your fanbase.
The Importance of Updates
As an independent artist, your journey is ongoing. New opportunities and platforms emerge regularly, and your fanbase may grow in unexpected ways. That's why revisiting and updating your distribution selections can be valuable.
Distrokid understands this need for flexibility and allows you to change your distribution even after your music is live. If you want to add a new platform or target a different territory, you can do so anytime. This flexibility ensures that your music distribution aligns with your evolving goals and strategies.
Conclusion
In the fast-paced world of music distribution, controlling where your music is available is a game-changer. Distrokid's distribution list empowers independent artists to make strategic decisions about their music's reach, whether it's targeting specific platforms, territories, or release dates.
By customizing your distribution list, you can fine-tune your distribution strategy to match your goals. Remember to regularly review and update your distribution selections to adapt to changing circumstances and opportunities.
You can explore Distrokid's distribution list above.
If you’re already with us, here are more production tips to give you the edge: