11/21/2011

Explore The Advantages Of Online Music Distribution

By Adriana Noton


Online music distribution has been said as among the major reasons in the semi demise of conventional retail stores in this industry, similar to the declining popularity of video game rental stores. It is true, who would not want the comfort of downloading through the internet in such easy manner. Save the time spent to go out and buy a CD and also enjoy the promotional extras exclusively offered to online shoppers.

It basically works by downloading music including its full downloadable content through the internet and straight to the buyers device. One can opt for stream or full download. Stream means download only the content when needed or demanded, whereas full download means the whole content is downloaded straight to the buyers hard disk or storage devise for access anytime as needed.

Online music distribution has come a long way. It has expanded the operations of the mainstream distributors in the industry and at the same time it also provided a venue for independent musicians and small time producers to have access to open distribution channels, cuts on overhead expenses, and encouraged more artistic freedom.

The internet has evolved to be an incredible place to promote music. It provided a platform for both artists and producers to create public interest in such speed as never witnessed before. One good example is how the careers of several artists were launched just by uploading their demos via one or two of the popular public social network sites. Overnight, they were transformed as worldwide celebrities and built on their successful careers onward.

In the earlier stages, the traditional route to distribution via the internet was for independent artists to basically manufacture their own CDs, launch it in their websites and sell their CDs online. It may seem easy but not really, as online marketing does not stop with just creating the website and launching it. More effort is needed to make it work.

Alternatively, an artist can start by negotiating a license with some of the bigger download retailers. These retailers are well equipped and probably has thousands if not in millions of customers already in place. If this happens, a thousand downloads within weeks is not far from reality. One other lucrative option is to explore licensing and royalty agreement with internet radio.

Innovative models for distribution continue to emerge. Akin to venture capitalists, some internet based companies set up sponsored websites as venues for independent artists to launch partial tracks of their album to test its marketability prior to full launch. They provide budget for marketing and links to online stores, free of charge for a certain period of time. If the track sells, production of the album is fully sponsored and a distribution license is made. If tracks flop, the artist can walk away free.

Then came the latest in online music distribution called podcasting. Investors set up websites for artists to launch their music for marketing exposure but free from any licensing restrictions. In a like manner, thousands of podcasters, who needs free music to be used in their programs, are encouraged to log-in as members and therefore are able to access what they need. A symbiotic relationship is created between the service provider, the artist, and the podcasters creating a loop of internet traffic that basically serves all their interests.




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