How to Get a Distribution Deal for Music?

What is a distribution deal for music? A distribution deal is different from a record deal. A record deal will help you promote and produce your music. A distribution deal will do just one thing for you—distribute your records into stores. If you already know how to get a record deal and you'd like to go that route, go on ahead—a label will take care of distribution for you. But if you are an independent artist and are willing to do the work of promoting and producing your own work, then a distribution deal can enable you to sell your CD independently.

But a distribution company is not going to hand out deals to just anyone. How to get a distribution deal? The most essential element is proving your salability as an artist. How do you sell your record independently? For one thing, you need to have a strong skill for self-promotion. Play whenever and wherever you can get a gig, and try to get recurring local gigs, whether at coffee shops, record stores, or bars. Sell copies of your CD at these gigs, and try to get your CD into local record stores. Keep track of these sales. If possible, try to get contacts in the music industry. the music business is all about who you know. One of the most important resources for self-promotion for artists today is the internet and social networking. Market yourself heavily through MySpace, Facebook, and Twitter, and make sure pushing copies of your album is a top priority. Keep buzz high. Make downloads available on your site, Amazon, or iTunes, and keep track of the numbers. Your sales record is of utmost importance when appealing for a distribution deal. Essentially, you need to prove that there is a demand for your music that will guarantee sales.

When you feel that you have proven yourself as profitable, you are ready to make the next step and send a demo to distribution companies. You will need to make a demo for the album you would like to distribute, including four to five of the best songs. Make sure the production sounds professional, not cheap. You also need to have a quality press kit to go along with your demo that ups your level of professionalism and demonstrates your following. If you have made any contacts in the past, now is the time to call them up and ask if they know anyone who can help you get a distribution deal. Send your demo to distribution companies by finding the contacts and addresses either through people you know or though a music contacts database. Follow up and be persistent without being pushy.

Once a distribution company is interested in you, carefully examine the terms of the contract that they offer you. Pay close attention to how exclusive the company would like to be with your materials and which on which platforms you can continue to distribute your music. Examine any other advantages—will the distribution company provide any kind of publicity for you, or will it solely distribute? It may be helpful to enlist the assistance of an attorney to go over a contract with you. If you know exactly what you are being offered and it fits with your hopes, go ahead and sign a distribution deal. You are on your way to reaching fame through your music!