How to get a traditional music distribution deal?

In this article, I'll show you how and also recommend a solid alternative that you might not have considered but you should do.

First of all, you're not going to get a deal if you have no track record. You require a first CD and some sales data to prove that a distributor will not be making a huge mistake in taking you on.

To do this, I suggest selling your first CD at gigs and also approaching local, independent stores, and asking them to stock your CD. Also consider selling your music via online channels because this is another good source of sales data that can be purchased in handy later.

The next thing you need is to look professional. This means create a good press kit to go with your demo CD that you are going to tout to distributors. If you can prove your track record then you stand a good chance of getting a deal, even if it is a limited or small one to begin with.

Along the way in these early days you should be making good contacts and playing regularly. The more you do that and the more you network then the easier it is to get a foot in the door. As is often said in the music industry, "it's not what you know but who you know". While things are slowly changing, this still remains very much the case.

When you get a deal, make sure you look at the small print carefully. Do not get tied into an exclusivity deal that prevents you from switching without huge penalties Music Distribution.

Alternative - Try it for yourself

These days, over half of award winning artists are now independent. Smaller artists and bands can reach the big time all on their own. Sometimes this is simply down to good fortune but you can also swing the odds heavily in your favour with your marketing and promotional efforts seriously.

The best way to do this is to use a third party online syndicator. Instead of taking a cut of your sales, they will instead charge a nominal total distribute your tracks to the many online music sites such as Amazon, Spotify and iTunes. Typically, this cost around $50 for an album which is pretty cheap.