The modern music industry offers independent artists various ways to distribute their masterpieces. Digital platforms serving music distribution, such as Ditto, TuneCore, and MusicAlligator, offer professional services for distributing tracks on global platforms. However, the DIY approach allows artists to connect directly with their fans, bypassing music distributor, through personal websites or platforms. Therefore, the choice between the two strategies depends on the individual resources and goals of the artists. Let’s look at both to understand which strategy might be right for you!
What is the difference between digital distributors and the DIY approach?
The digital music distribution market is divided into two types: through a platform or DIY. Distributors offer quick and easy promotion on online platforms and streaming services, but are intermediaries. The DIY approach allows you to interact with fans who can influence future releases. That’s why a music distributor like MusicAlligator can be a profitable option, as it provides tools for anyone who wants to distribute their music to a global audience effectively.
Advantages and limitations of each path
Digital distributors provide artists with various online platforms to distribute their music. In addition, they professionally manage releases. However, the downside is that such companies may include commissions in their contracts, and they have limited control over content.
At the same time, DIY gives artists complete control over the distribution of their tracks and direct contact with their fans. The 2024 report by Business Research Insights highlights that while DIY distribution empowers artists with full control, established music distributors are identified as critical enablers of scalability—offering access to advanced analytics, monetization tools, and multi-platform reach that are difficult for independents to replicate on their own. However, this approach requires significant effort to promote music and limits global audience reach.
How to choose the optimal strategy: analysis of goals and resources
The choice between specific strategies depends on the goals and resources of the performer. If the priority is to promote music worldwide and provide professional support, then it is better to choose a music distributor. DIY is an excellent option if the performer wants to be independent from companies. When choosing a strategy, it is worth paying attention to:
- the main goal. The performers can decide for themselves what kind of promotion they want – global or local, but with deeper connections with fans;
- This includes marketing skills, budget, technical knowledge, and other elements necessary for promoting tracks;
- level of control. At this stage, it is necessary to determine what is important to the artist – the ability to delegate tasks to an intermediary or to keep everything under control;
- support and infrastructure. Identifying key nuances, such as analytics, technical support, and release design, is important;
- priorities in monetization. You can maximize revenue through streaming or selling tracks directly to fans.
Based on this information, artists can choose intermediaries that provide music distribution services or become independent artists catering only to their fans.
The experience of independent artists: what they choose and why
Independent artists often choose a strategy that suits their goals and needs. Some prefer to use music distribution service to expand their audience or get a professional approach to promotion. Others choose a DIY strategy to maintain control over their music, preventing the label from changing its genre or release date. Therefore, the choice of strategy is individual and should be tailored to the artist’s needs.