Knowing the requirements of music websites, making physical copies available to customers, and, if at all possible, getting a contract with a record label are some of the best tips for selling songs. Many songs are sold as digital downloads on websites that make it simple to transfer them to music players, but new artists may require assistance. When self-publishing, musicians should remember to include physical copies, which some companies can provide with little effort on their part. Working with a company that assists in the production, marketing, and distribution of music can be a dream come true for some musicians, but not everyone is able to sign such a contract.
If an independent musician wants to start selling songs on popular websites, he or she must first read the website’s terms and conditions. People can sometimes only list albums if they have a certain number of them, such as more than 20. Because a beginner musician is unlikely to have 20 albums under his or her belt, it may be necessary to enlist the assistance of a third party to help meet the website’s requirements. Individuals and bands with individual songs or albums can use aggregators to get their work listed on popular websites and gain more exposure. These third parties rarely provide free services, but the assistance they provide usually extends beyond simply meeting a company’s requirements to ensuring a smooth product delivery.
Some independent musicians may believe that physical distribution of music is prohibitively expensive or difficult, but this is not always the case. Musicians do not need to have the financial resources to support bulk production because self-publishing services can produce physical copies of albums in response to customer orders. Often, an independent artist who wants to start selling songs can use the same service to generate digital sales and distribution.
Obtaining a contract with a record label is one of the most effective ways of selling songs. Artists and repertoire (A&R) representatives, who work for record labels and are tasked with discovering new talent, typically contact musicians who have caught their attention. These are usually up-and-coming musicians who have either well-marketed themselves in a specific area or knew someone in the industry who could put them in touch with an A&R representative. Signing a contract with a record label relieves the musician of some responsibilities, such as marketing, and allows him or her to focus on creating good music and the right brand.