Mechanical royalty rates are going up… Or are they?
The Copyright Royalty Board announced plans to increase the mechanical royalty rates for product sales, which is great for songwriters. But will streaming rates do the same? Read the post.
digital music
You need to work on your Spotify playlist strategy
Getting on a Spotify playlist — or any streaming playlist — requires a strategy and a plan. Here’s some advice on what to do (and what NOT to do). Read the post.
Sell your CDs online: Stake a tent at Bandcamp
Ready to start selling CDs and merch online? Bandcamp offers a customizable solution with the independent musician in mind. Read the post.
The MLC’s $424 million royalty distribution conundrum
The music industry has long had a royalty distribution problem, AKA the infamous “black box,” which represents hundreds of millions in mechanical royalties collected on behalf of publishers and songwriters who have not been paid because they cannot be tracked down. Read the post.
How to get played on streaming services and playlists
Getting your music discovered, played, and featured on playlists on streaming services is well within your reach. Use these techniques to get your music played. Read the post
Can You Sell Your Music as an NFT?
What the heck is an NFT? And is there any money to be made as an independent artist selling your music as one? Read the post.
Why you should set a date for your music release (and make it a Friday)
There’s a reason why you should set your music release for a Friday. It’s not just a random day — there’s method behind the madness. Read the post.
How to monetize your music on YouTube
In my fourth video about YouTube and your music, I explain how to monetize your music on YouTube, because I know way too many artists are missing out on this revenue. Read the post.
How to use Spotify Canvas to add looping video to your streams
With Spotify canvas, you can include short looping videos that will play while your music streams. It’s a great way to increase shares and engagement, and it’s easy to use. Read the post.
My overnight success was 15 years in the making
With an adaptable music release strategy and an eye on results, I was able to get over 700,000 streams for one of my singles and over 100,000 monthly listeners on Spotify. Here’s how it happened. Read the post.
How to get your music on streaming music stations
There’s a universe of streaming music stations to explore where you can get your music played to grow your fanbase and get coverage of you and your music. Read the post.
How Much Does Streaming Pay?
When you analyze the money you can earn from streaming, you’ll find it’s difficult (at best) to earn enough to support yourself as an artist. But streaming is still valuable: it can be a gateway to discovery and other means of monetizing your fan base. Read the post.
CDs just sound better
I listen to a lot of music and listen to a lot of streaming when I drive or while I travel — and I also listen to vinyl. And while I love all of it, when I want the best audio quality, nothing sounds as good as a CD. Read the post.
Become a student of the songwriting craft — Indie Music Minute
Want to know the number one reason why artists fail? I’m gonna be blunt about it: their songs aren’t good enough. Read the post.
Fully independent, and damn proud of it!
Disc Makers’ CEO Tony van Veen shares his history with the company, the changes in the industry, and where things are heading. Read the post.