IOTM Blog
Posted: May 21, 2024
Category: Fans
social media merch youtube online distribution fan engagement music streaming services analytics google data websitebuilder chartmetric unified manufacturing
**Guest post written by James Hill, a veteran of the music industry. He has worked at Warner Reprise Records and then Interscope/ Geffen Records and now helps indie artists with branding and manufacturing through his company Unified Manufacturing, a CD/DVD, custom vinyl records and merch company in LA.
"So aside from talking and interacting with your fans, you can also try using quantitative data from different analytical tools. You might get overwhelmed with all of it, especially if you hate numbers. But I tell you, they’re worth investing a few minutes of your time. Plus, they’re actually not that hard. In this article, we will mainly be talking about the different tools you can use to analyze your fans and how they are important. Let’s start!" View Full Article
Posted: Mar 5, 2024
Category: The Musician Business
music album release plan ahead merch on demand printing online distribution marketing vinyl cd's organization communication time management be prepared pre-save pre-order
**Guest post written by James Hill, a veteran of the music industry. He has worked at Warner Reprise Records and then Interscope/ Geffen Records and now helps indie artists with branding and manufacturing through his company Unified Manufacturing, a CD/DVD, custom vinyl records and merch company in LA.
"So, you’ve finally decided to release an album. Wuhoo! But listen up – getting your album out there isn’t just about tossing it into the world. It’s more like planning a grand wedding for 1000 people – you need a solid plan. In this guide, we’re going through fifteen essential tips—covering everything from using digital tools to finding the right partners—to make your album release stress-free (or at least less stressful than usual). Let’s get started!" View Full Article
Posted: Jan 17, 2024
Category: The Musician Business
online distribution spotify music business indie artists music streaming services royalties one submit
**Guest post by Oren Sharon, founder of One Submit, a music promotion platform for independent artists.
"Spotify recently announced it has made serious changes to its royalty model that will affect independent musicians, digital distributors, and eventually the whole music industry. [This] is a summary of the changes made by Spotify, starting on January 1, 2024, and their anticipated impact on Spotify's royalty pool and all the players in the industry."
Posted: Feb 21, 2023
Category: Technology
music business social media youtube online distribution spotify apple music videos internet tiktok
**Guest post written by Jack Sutherland, 20 Year Web Development & Music Marketing Lead and Founder of Band Pioneer.
"The Internet has drastically transformed the music industry over the past 20 years. The tools we record it with, the strategies we use to promote it, and even the distribution of profit has all been revamped due to the Internet. And this transformation has opened up a lot of new opportunities for bands and solo artists to control their own destinies."
View Full ArticlePosted: Sep 20, 2022
Category: Promotion
online distribution promotion spotify music aggregators music business music streaming services playlisting one submit
**Guest post by One Submit, the ultimate music submission platform.
"Without a doubt, Spotify is the biggest music streaming website on the market. As for 2022, there are currently more than 356 million Spotify users, 182 million of them are paying subscribers. Out of all these users, there are loads of Spotify playlist curators...If you're an artist releasing music to Spotify and other streaming platforms via a music distribution service, the best way for you to get your music heard is by getting on Spotify playlists."
Posted: Mar 21, 2022
Category: Selling Music
online distribution promotion marketing newsletters call-to-action music streaming services online presence bandzoogle radio airplay press plan ahead sell music pre-save
**Guest post written by Melanie Kealey of Bandzoogle.
"Whether you’re an up and coming indie artist, or have a new album almost ready, releasing a single is a great way to create some momentum around your music. A single can not only get your fans excited, but can be pitched to press, radio, or playlists to build some buzz. Along with this, you should sell a single from your official website...Anyone who gets to your website is interested in finding out more about you - so make it a priority to pitch your single and the story behind it. Here’s how to prepare, release and sell a single from your music website."
View Full ArticlePosted: Jul 23, 2018
Category: Digital vs. Physical
merch diy make money online distribution vinyl keys to success ask fans musicgoat.com physical vs. digital competition
**Guest post written by Sylvia of Vinyl Price Comparison Search, previously featured on MusicGoat.com.
"Vinyl is back on the (turn)table as a means for new artists to get their musical message out there. And vinyl record shops and online stores are even making a revival. But if you’re an up ‘n comer is it worth putting your needle on the groove, when there are cheaper and easier options at your fingertips? Let’s take a spin around this complex issue…."
Posted: Oct 10, 2016
Category: Online Distribution
fan engagement make money marketing monetization musicgoat.com online distribution promotion selling your act singles
**Guest post written by Corey Koehler, an indie singer-songwriter from Minnesota, as featured in his blog MusicGoat.com.
"Here’s the good news: These days if you want to sell music online it is pretty damn easy. You find a nice music distribution service, upload your songs and BAM… you are worldwide. Your music is blasted out all over the world in less than an hour. Here's the bummer..." View Full Article
Posted: Oct 27, 2014
Category: Marketing
analytics exposure music streaming services online distribution online presence pandora radio promotion
**Guest post originally featured in the DIY Musician Blog.
"Pandora launches free analytics tools for artists..."
View Full ArticlePosted: Sep 22, 2014
Category: Promotion
cherry suede merch newsletters online distribution online presence pre-selling tickets press promotion sales funnel social media word of mouth
**Guest post written by Randy Young from the Ottawa based rock band Cherry Suede.
"As musicians, we tend to think we can do it all. We’re independent artists. We’ve got our music, our talent, our fans—and nothing else matters. Well, at least that’s how it works in theory. The reality is we need help, and lots of it. I don’t care how good you are—there is simply not enough time to do everything and still be a master at your craft, which is the music itself. You need tools and you need to outsource. You need to learn how to run your band like a business, and being resistant to this fact is the fastest way to kill off whatever income—and independence—you have left."
View Full ArticlePosted: Feb 18, 2014
Category: Online Distribution
amazon cd baby exposure itunes online distribution online presence pandora radio promotion
**Guest post written by Ari Herstand, a DIY singer-songwriter from Los Angeles, CA with 550+ shows under his belt. Originally written for Digital Music News and featured in his blog Ari's Take.
"Pandora Radio just quietly updated their submission process to allow anyone to submit music for consideration WITHOUT a physical CD." Here's how... View Full Article
Posted: Feb 3, 2014
Category: Digital vs. Physical
cd's make money merch music streaming services online distribution repeat customers royalties spotify super fans
**Guest post written by Danny Schmitz, an indy musician, writer, and connoisseur of all things Mexican food.
"I had a conversation via email with a friend from LA, and another friend living in Singapore. All three of us are musicians and frequently talk about the current state of the music industry. We were talking about the streaming music subscription service Spotify..." View Full Article
Posted: Aug 20, 2013
Category: The Musician Business
clear channel diy indie artists indie record labels musik and film online distribution radio promotion
**Guest post by Stephen Wrench of Musik and Film as featured in their blog.
The sooner that indie artists realize that they are on their own in this world of 360 deals and pay-to-play radio, the better off they will be. There will be no major label knocking on your door offering riches and fame just because you’re good. If you are good, you better be very smart and be savvy in business and the art of promotion if you want to succeed in the new world of being an independent artist.
View Full ArticlePosted: Feb 26, 2013
Category: Online Distribution
amazon exposure online distribution pandora radio promotion
The internet has effectively leveled the playing field in the world of music. Music lovers no longer have to rely on radio djs at a handful of stations for exposure to new music; there is a seemingly limitless stream of great music available online all the time. The internet radio powerhouse Pandora, for example, played 1.39 billion hours of music for its listeners in December alone. And as most of you know, the great thing about Pandora is that it recognizes the user's taste in music and suggests new songs and artists they are likely to love, making it an ideal platform for exposing new listeners to your work.
View Full Article