Distribution is how your music reaches every platform on earth. Pick wrong and you lose money, data, or rights. This decision matters more than most artists think.
The main options: DistroKid for speed and flat fees, TuneCore for per-release control, CD Baby for one-time fees, and boutique distributors for hands-on service. Match the model to your release pace.
Keep one hundred percent of your rights. Never sign distribution that takes ownership of your masters. Distribution is a service you pay for, not a partnership you join.
Deliver early: two to four weeks before release day. Rushed deliveries miss playlist pitching windows and create metadata errors that haunt you for years.
Use the extras that matter: pre-saves, timed releases, and splits for collaborators. Skip the upsells that don’t serve your actual strategy.
Switching distributors is possible but painful, involving takedowns and re-uploads that reset your numbers. Choose carefully now to avoid the migration headache later.
Read the fine print on royalties and payment thresholds before you commit to any distributor. Some hold your money until you hit minimums while others pay monthly. Cash flow matters enormously when you are independent.
Keep your login credentials and account access documented somewhere safe today. Losing access to your distributor account during a release week is a nightmare you can completely prevent with a password manager.
Compare two distributors side by side this weekend on fees, payout speed, and support quality. An hour of comparison now saves years of regret later.
About the Author – Ruben Burgos: Ruben Burgos brings over 25 years of music expertise and more than 15 years of model guidance to the table. He is the indie major pinnacle to retaining credits for musicians and helping them navigate this wicked industry without the fuckery.