You got your release published. Now what?

Now that your release is ready, and you found a distributor, the work is not over yet. There are a few and important items that you should check off your list to make sure that you get paid and your release info appears correct. I will be updating this list periodically, and feel free to contribute your own findings to the blog:

•  ALLMUSIC.COM -  the defacto go-to site used by many digital retailers and vendors to pull and verify release information from. Amazon.com and the Grammy Recording Academy are just a few that reference this site for credits and music information. You need to make sure that you send them your release first! For product submission info, click here.
• SoundExchange.com - an independent and non-profit performance rights organization that collects statutory royalties from satellite radio (such as SIRIUS XM), internet radio, cable TV music channels and similar platforms for streaming sound recordings. Why is it important to be a member? Because they are the sole entity in the United States to collect and distribute these digital performance royalties on behalf of featured recording artists, master rights owners (like record labels), and independent artists who record and own their masters.
• Performance rights organizations, such as ASCAP, BMI, or SESAC. They will collect money owed to songwriters for the public performance of their songs. Some examples would be radio airplay, placements in movies or TV shows, concerts, “elevator music,” and even music on hold for phone systems.
• If you are a non-featured performer, such as a session player, backup singer, or other creative contributor, see the Recording Artist Royalties organization here.

Image credits: Guitar Neck by J Fry

This entry was posted on 29. May 2011 at 20:12 and is filed under Music industry tips. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. You can leave a response or trackback from your own site.