Are you an independent Christian artist looking to make a splash online with your music? Releasing new material is exciting and liberating, yet daunting at the same time. Music distribution can be complex, challenging to navigate, and intimidating for any newcomer. But it doesn’t need to be! With our step-by-step guide on releasing your music as an independent Christian artist, you will have everything you need to be laid out in front of you so that nothing stands between you and a successful launch! In this article, we will cover all aspects of releasing your album or single – from music distribution to promotional strategies – providing valuable tips. So let’s jump right in – confidently armed with knowledge and watch as your music takes off into the stratosphere!
What Is Digital Music Distribution?
A digital music distributor is a company that helps artists get their music to streaming services, digital stores, and other platforms.
Distributors provide various services, such as uploading songs, handling metadata, marketing and promotion tools, analytics tracking, and more.
When artists work with a digital distributor, they upload the songs they want to distribute to the platform. The distributor will then take care of getting that song out to all of the major streaming services.
They will also handle tasks like managing metadata, providing reports and analytics on your songs’ performance on each service, and more.
Digital distributors also offer promotional services such as creating playlists for your music or working with radio stations to get it heard by more people. This can be especially beneficial for independent artists who don’t have access to the same resources as more prominent labels.
Music Distribution Fees
Digital music distributors often come with annual fees. The fees for these services vary depending on the distributor.
They generally range from a flat per-song/album fee to an annual recurring subscription toll or a percentage-based charge for sales and streaming.
For example, DistroKid charges USD 9.95 per single or USD 49 per album, while TuneCore offers unlimited releases to all digital stores for $19 per year.
Choose Your Music Distribution Platform – Decide Where You’ll Release Your Music
Different distributors include DistroKid, CD Baby, Nectar, ReverbNation, Amuse, AWAL, Record Union, and Symphonic. Each has its features and fees, so it’s essential to research before deciding.
CD Baby
CD Baby boasts no recurring fees, YouTube monetization capabilities, and an easy-to-navigate platform compared to other distributors. Here are a few features of CD Baby:
- CD Baby offers no recurring fees, and songs stay up forever on the platform.
- The service includes features like YouTube monetization so that artists can get paid for their videos on the platform.
- Distribution is done to popular streaming services like Spotify, Apple Music, Amazon Music, and Pandora Radio.
- It has two tools – Artist Revenue Tool (ART) and Royalty Exchange – which helps musicians track where their music is being used to get paid quickly.
- It provides an easy-to-navigate platform for musicians to upload and publish songs quickly.
DistroKid
DistroKid is a digital distribution platform that makes it easy for artists to release, distribute and promote their music. One of its main features is the ability to include time-synced lyrics with your music.
- Time-synced lyric capabilities
- Automatic splits and payments for rights holders
- Simple integration with iTunes and other platforms
- Unlimited storage for audio files
- The low-cost per-track pricing structure
- Custom preorders and instant delivery options
Nectar
Nectar Distro is a digital music distribution service that values bringing high-quality godly content to the mainstream. Nectar Distro offers many features that make it stand out from other digital music distribution services. Here are just some of the features you get when using Nectar Distro:
- 100% royalty retention for all streaming platforms
- Easy upload and management of releases on major streaming services
- YouTube monetization opportunities
- Preorder options for albums
- Sync licensing opportunities
- Real-time analytics tracking to monitor streaming performance
- Valuable customer feedback insights to help improve future releases.
Choosing the right music distribution platform can be overwhelming. With so many options, it’s essential to consider your goals and target audience when deciding. Ultimately, the choice of platform depends on your unique needs and the audience you want to reach.
Design an Attractive Cover Art – Make Sure It Captures the Essence of Your Music
Designing beautiful cover art is essential for any musician, as it represents their brand and music. Capturing the essence of your music is crucial to the success of your album, single, or EP. You want your cover art to engage the viewer, to make them want to pick up your album and listen. It should reflect your energy, your vibe, and your style. An energetic tone of voice can help you convey your excitement and passion for your music and entice the listener to experience it for themselves. With the right design, your cover art can be the perfect introduction to your music and the start of a fantastic journey.
Take Advantage of Social Media – Promote Your Music with Hashtags & Engaging Visuals
The world of music is a constantly evolving landscape, and now more than ever, social media is becoming an essential component for musicians to share their art with the world. With platforms like Instagram and Twitter, artists can take advantage of hashtags and engaging visuals to build a community of fans and promote their music. Hashtags allow your content to be easily found by people searching for similar interests.
Visuals are a powerful tool to grab attention and convey your artistic style. So, whether it’s a clip from a live performance or an inside look at your creative process, there are endless possibilities to make your music stand out and connect with fans worldwide. The key is to stay consistent, engage with your audience, and let your creativity shine through social media.
Set Up a Mailing List & Newsletter Subscription – Keep Fans Updated on New Releases & Tours
As a musician or artist, staying connected to your fans is crucial to success. One way to ensure that your fans are up-to-date on your new releases and upcoming tours is to set up a mailing list and newsletter subscription. This way, you can deliver fresh and exciting news to their inboxes! Plus, it allows you to connect with your fans more personally and build a stronger relationship with them. Don’t miss out on this incredible opportunity to keep your fans engaged and energized. Sign up today and get ready to rock their world!
Create an Amazing Press Kit – Include Artist Bios, Photos, & Other Relevant Content
Creating an amazing press kit can be an artist’s make-or-break moment. It’s the perfect opportunity to showcase your talents and passion to those who matter the most. With a few key elements, your press kit can stand out.
First, include a well-written artist bio that captures your unique journey and style. Along with that, provide eye-catching photos that match your brand and highlight your personality.
Finally, don’t forget to include other relevant content, such as music videos, tour dates, and interviews. By compiling a comprehensive and creative press kit, you’ll be well on your way to making a lasting first impression on the industry professionals who can help take your career to the next level.
Conclusion
Releasing your music online as an independent Christian is a great way to get your music into the world and share it with people everywhere. By following these steps, you can ensure that all of the hard work you put in will be seen by the right eyes and heard by those who appreciate it most. With social media platforms, mailing list subscriptions, and press kits – you’ll have everything needed to ensure your music reaches its fullest potential! So don’t wait any longer – start releasing today and show off what makes your music unique!
I wrote a song in 2012 called That’s What You Did For Me based on Matthew 11:5. It’s just my keyboard and me, but I think a Christian artist could add a guitar and drums and make it work. Anything I make will go into an education fund for the kids in my ministry and their kids.
Thank you for sharing, Joe! We’d love to help bring your vision to life—reach out anytime to collaborate!