Artist's Guide to Streaming: Digital Music Distribution

As an artist, finding the right distribution method can be tricky, particularly because there are so many online services these days. In terms of royalty payments, each site has its own pros and cons, so knowing the way they work is essential to growing your career and generating revenue. A closer look at five of the biggest distribution methods can help you understand. 

Bandcamp: This site is most often used by smaller bands or labels. Inexpensive and easy to use, the site provides easy downloads and streaming and allows artists to name their own price for a download. Physical releases and merchandise are also up for purchase. Unfortunately, no revenue is generated from album streaming alone, so purchases are needed to making money on the site.

Soundcloud: This service offers free accounts for only two hours of upload time and then an up-front payment is required. Extended accounts or even unlimited ones offer more uploads, analytics and let users highlight five songs at the top of their profiles. It does not pay directly for streams which makes it a better tool for sharing rather than selling. Links to sites that offer your music for purchases, however, can be included on your profile. 

Spotify: Though it is free to put music on this site, it only uploads music from distributors or labels. Merchandise can also be posted for free on profiles and no cut is taken. Royalty payments vary from $.006 and $.0084 per stream.

Pandora: One million plays on this site can result in about $1,370. This money does have to be divided among performers, songwriters and labels, but still makes more money than song plays on terrestrial radio. Music must already be on iTunes or Bandcamp in order to be posted to Pandora.

iTunes: The dominant distribution service for music, iTunes relies on downloads as opposed to streaming. It can be costly to upload songs to the site, especially if an aggregator is required to post the music, but the music is readily accessible for fans since it can easily transfer to laptops, iPods and other devices. 

While certain sites offer more reward for music distribution, others still provide exposure and music for the masses. Whichever services you feel are right for you and can lead fans to discovering and sharing your music, Pro Music Records and Entertainment Media can get you set up for success. PMR can put up a single, EP or entire album on any site so you can start making money today. We can even do promotions on sites like YouTube, another distribution option, so your music can be heard even more often. You own all the music and rights in this non-exclusive deal, Pro Music Records is simply the distributor that gets your secure digital media to retailers. Visit us at http://www.promusicrecords.com to learn more or e-mail info@promusicrecords.com with questions and submissions.

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7 Tips for Getting the Most Out of Your YouTube Channel

#1. First Impressions are Everything.

Make sure you have a great thumbnail photo for each video. It’s the first thing people will see when they search for you, so make sure it appealing. 

#2. Use Titles & Descriptions to Your Advantage

Your title is of course important for intriguing viewers, but it can also improve your search results. Good marketing can allow your video to reach the most viewers with keywords and tags.

#3. Remember that YouTube is Interactive

According to recent stats, YouTube is more popular than Facebook for certain age groups. Artists should be engaging with fans after posting a video to keep them interested and excited.

#4. Make Use of Call-To-Action Videos

A few quick videos can encourage your fans to take action. Ask people to buy your single on release day, go support another artist, or ask fans to come see you on tour. Videos can create opportunities!

#5. Advertise

Add websites, comments & purchase links to use your channel as a billboard for promotions. Direct fans to subscribe to your channel so you can keep them coming back for more and link to your other social media profiles.

#6. Hook Fans with Playlists

Instead of having a series of isolated videos, use a playlist to get your fans hooked. Start with your most recent and popular videos and then let them cycle through older material. Just make sure that all of your content represents your best self and brand.

#7. Timing is Key

If you’re busy promoting your music, you’re being featured on music blogs, your album just came out, or you have a song on a TV show, make sure you have relevant content on YouTube as well. Make sure you are uploading high-quality videos whether they’re music videos, lyric videos, or vlogs.

Ready to take your YouTube channel to the next level? Try out the tips above with Pro Music Records and Entertainment Media. We can create your high-caliber videos and then handle your promotions and marketing to ensure you reach the right audiences.

Brand Representation: Professional Photos & Headshots

Whether you're a musician, actor, dancer or model, image plays a key role in how people decide what to listen to and what to pass on to their friends. Your headshot is often the first impression fans and the press can get of you. That being said, your headshots, album covers, and social media photos are another way to help you communicate with the world. They need to support your music, website, tweets, emails, and songs to complete who you are as an artist and brand. A true, engaging snapshot can help portray your message and go a long way in attracting new fans and entertaining current ones. 

The first step? Hiring a professional. While more money doesn’t always translate into higher quality, investing something in your photos is crucial to generating revenue. You’ll make all your money back if you have the right image to captivate an audience!

Getting the right light to eliminate shadows and under-eye circles can be a lifesaver. Cloudy days make for more forgiving conditions and facing the light will place you in the spotlight. Artistic, vast landscapes as backdrops can also be great, but the focus ultimately needs to be on you as the star. 

Make sure the background of your photo matches your brand. For example, if your music is more folksy, look for something outdoors and vintage. If you’re a rocker, edgy streets and darker lighting can set the mood. Variety in both background and wardrobe can also be beneficial for having photos for different purposes while maintaining consistency in your brand.

Being comfortable (and happy) during a shoot is essential, so play around and don’t be afraid to try new things! Changing your focus or how you’re positioned (sitting, standing, etc.) can lead to awesome shots. And, once you pick your favorites, if something is off like the lighting or a stray hair, editing can fix all kinds of small details.

Pro Music Records & Entertainment Media has highly skilled photographers and all price levels to get you the photos you need. We work with your image and budget to find the right photographer, location and wardrobe for the perfect shot. Call 818.971.9301 for a custom quote or e-mail info@promusicrecords.com to set up a photoshoot today!

YouTube Fame: Still Very Real (And Very Relevant)

We’ve said it before, and we’ll say it again: Social Media is invaluable when launching your music career. The proof? A capella singer Peter Hollens has just been offered record deal after unleashing a series of other innovative covers via the internet. His YouTube channel has over 63 million views and features collaborations with other YouTube musicians. Now, Sony Music’s classical and crossover label called Sony Music Masterworks has signed Hollens, whose album will be released on October 28th. 

What we can learn from Hollens’s success is the importance of being visible, accessible and prominent on the internet. Your launching point? High quality videos. Using a good camera and editing can go a long way.

Additionally, the buzz that is created around your music can take you from unknown to #1 in just a matter of time (Vine star Shawn Mendes just hit #1 on iTunes in 37 minutes). Not only do you need to consistently be uploading new content to keep your fans engaged, but also communicating with them to build and maintain relationships. By being genuine and friendly, you can attract more and more people. That being said, you’ll want to watch and support other musicians or music blogs too. Spreading the love is an easy way to double your fan base.

Finally, tagging your videos with descriptive and specific key words will help you get found! Use words that are relevant to your content so viewers won’t be misled.

Having the tools to carry out these crucial steps can be the most challenging part of the process. Pro Music Records & Entertainment Media offers services for Video Production, Promotions and Marketing to produce and keep up with your social media presence. By taking advantage of Pro Music Records experts, you can rest assured that your fan base and video views will increase exponentially. We can even submit your music to record labels, radio stations, and other entertainment resources to further promote your music. Save time and money today by calling Pro Music Records at 818.971.9301 or e-mailing info@promusicrecords! 

The Importance of Understanding Web Analytics [For Musicians]

In today's world, any musician striving for success needs to have a basic understanding of technology. While your music should be mastered first, knowing the basics of website statistics can take your career to another level. Understanding who is visiting your website and listening to your music as well as how often, for how long, and from where, is key to honing your target market and accessing a potential fan base. 

Several sites offer web stats that show you what's happening. They can tell you how many unique visits there were to your site in addition to how many visits were made total. This then translates to your page views so you can see which pages are most or least popular. The average time spent on your site can represent how engaging your content is. The longer a visitor spends on your music page, the more they like what they hear. Or, if your videos page is lacking views, however, perhaps your videos need to be more interesting or of higher quality. 

Referrers explain where visitors came from, whether it was a link you posted on Facebook or a search result on Google. The better you recognize the origins of your site traffic, the better you can find more fans. Finally, search terms that fans use to search and then find your site are displayed so that you can optimize what keywords are included your content. 

Of course, the most important step in this entire process is creating a visually appealing, high-quality website to showcase your talent and work. Then, you'll need to make sure to market your music to a targeted fan base using web analytics. You'll want as much time as possible to perfect your music, so getting help from marketing experts and web design professionals will allow you to gain the online presence you need without compromising your time. 

Pro Music Records & Entertainment Media can design custom search-engine friendly websites the are complete with industry specific photos and functionality. Pro Music Records clients are also guaranteed to dominate the 1st page of all the major search engines given reasonable time, driving traffic to your site. Please visit us online at www.promusicrecords.com or call 818.971.9301 for a free quote today!

4 Ways To Make Your Music Go Viral

Dream Big, but Start Small. 

Instead of focusing on the endgame, which can be both daunting and discouraging, prioritize the steps you’ll need to get there. For example, you’ll probably have more success submitting to an independent publication than Rolling Stone, and more luck trying to get signed by a record label if you play outside your town/state. There are many steps you can take to launch your career and amongst them are building a solid website, advertising, optimizing your results on search engines and reaching out to music blogs. PMR has experts on each of these tasks to leave you more time to work on your music and make the process less overwhelming.

Know Your Competition. 

Make a list of competing bands or artists in your genre. Who motivates you? Who is getting sponsorships and airplay? Who is being interviewed? Then, understand why. If they have a stronger brand, it may be worthwhile to rethink yours by seeking consulting or brand development services. If they have better marketing, spend some time getting your name out. PMR can submit you to hundreds of the best internet resources for independent music and entertainment to drive traffic to your site.

Focus on Your Music as Your Business. 

Once your music is released, you are no longer just an artist, you are a business owner. Selling your music and personalized merchandise is your #1 goal. Entertainment professionals exist to help you succeed by marketing your talents, gaining publicity and spreading the word about your goods. 

Get Popular. 

Be everywhere for everyone and never underestimate the power of social media. Your music needs to be available on Rdio, Spotify, iTunes, CDBaby, YouTube, underground music sites and discovery platforms. Making money is great, but the more people can hear your music for free, the more likely they will be to purchase it, attend your concerts and talk about your talent. PMR can handle your physical and digital distribution as well as promotions on social media.

For more info, please contact Pro Music Records & Entertainment Media:

502 S. Verdugo Dr. Suite 204

Burbank, CA 

91502

Office: (818) 971-9301

info@promusicrecords.com

6 Steps to Releasing a Record with PMR

Navigating the music world can be challenging, but Pro Music Records & Entertainment Media can guide you through the process to releasing your next (or first!) album.

Step 1: Create a website! You'll want to showcase your best self through high-quality photos and videos so that people can know you're a legitimate artist.  

Step 2: Save Up! You'll have to spend money to make money. Setting aside a budget for marketing, promotions, merchandise and studio space can ensure you'll have a product that fully exemplifies your talent.

Step 3: Network Network Network. And wisely. People need to know you exist, but without being bombarded with information. That being said, not all people need to know. You'll want to connect with other artists or music professionals using social media (creating profiles on Facebook, LinkedIn, etc.) and create relationships. People want to know you care about their work too, instead of feeling like they're just a means to an end in your career.

Step 4: Present your best work. Your single should be your absolute best song, but every track on your album should be "the best." Make sure each song is mixed and mastered to perfection because the higher the quality, the more likely you are to be looked at by top producers and labels. 

Step 5: Set a Release Date. Typically, if you’re releasing a single off an album, you'll want to share it anywhere between 2-4 weeks before the album comes out. Timing is everything! If it's too far in advance people will forget and if it's too close to the album date, no one will see it coming.

Step 6: Spread the word! Make sure your fans know about your upcoming music through your social media profiles, website, e-mail newsletters and any other music forums. Word-of-mouth marketing can spread like wildfire if you target the right people to start it!

At PMR, we can take care of all these steps for you, creating customized packages to suit all your marketing, promotion and distribution needs. Releasing your music can be scary and overwhelming, but we're here to help and make the process easier. Ultimately, your goal is to become a successful, working artist and we can get you there! Please visit us online at http://www.promusicrecords.com