So…
Congratulations if you’re reading this page!! This is an unlisted, private page on my website, exclusively available to all of the artists that have worked with me in my studio. As many of you know, I’m an artist as well and have invested thousands of dollars and thousands of hours into developing and sharing my craft. It’s an awesome experience recording and sharing music, but it can also be a sacrifice at times and be difficult!! I hope to make it easier ;)
Below this paragraph, I’m sharing a comprehensive list of important things you’ll want to consider as you prep your next release, as well as exclusive discounts I’ve been given to my studio to share with you for various services. Take the fish and leave the bones for what you specifically need with your artistry.
I hope this new knowledge empowers you to better steward and share your craft with the world because I know the world needs your songs. And I can’t wait for them to hear what we’ve been hearing in the studio!! :)
- Kevin Winebarger
Digital Distribution
To get your songs on iTunes, Spotify, Apple Music, Amazon Music, etc. you’ll need to choose a digital distributor. There are many out there, but there are the top 2 I’d recommend (and I’ll give reasons why):
CD Baby
PRO: One time fee (you can sometimes catch them on sale!)
PRO: They take a 9% commission off of your royalties, but you have no recurring payment to make for the rest of your life. So, you get charged on the back end instead of making a long term payment commitment. This is a great option if you’re trying to figure out whether or not you want to do music full time and/or release a lot of music.
PRO: I’ve heard they have incredible customer service. And they have a phone line to call (almost every other company is email or text only)
CON: Sometimes, they get overloaded with submissions, so they can take a while to get your songs on their sites. Make sure to at least 4 weeks in advance of your record.
*TIP: If you work with CD Baby, I recommend choosing the CD Baby Pro Publishing. It has lots of additional features worth buying.
Distrokid
PRO: You keep 100% of your royalties.
PRO: Very fast customer service. When I’m direct messaged them on Twitter, they’ve responded to me within a few hours max.
PRO: Their digital interface for uploading your music is a much simpler layout than CD Baby. They have less options, but you honestly probably don’t need many of the bells and whistles CD Baby offers.
PRO: If for some reason your credit card got jacked up (or you ended up going to heaven), they have a “Leave A Legacy” paid add-on option you can add with every song or album upload that will keep your song/songs on the internet forever. I recommend choosing this.
CON: You’ll have an annual bill forever. (boo!!)
TIP: If you choose to go with Distrokid, I recommend choosing the Musician Plus package. Worth the extra $. The best feature this provides is being able to have a pre-order date. you want this if you plan to make digital sales (like through iTunes, Amazon, etc. where people buy your music and don’t stream).
EXCLUSIVE CODES THROUGH COURAGE STUDIOS:
CD BABY: They haven’t given me a code. Look up their site for deals, as they advertise every sale on their site. (**As of the date I’m typing this, they currently have one for the PRO package with a barcode for $49 with total49.)
DISTROKID: sign up with this link for a 7% off discount - https://distrokid.com/vip/seven/1061288
Physical Distribution
If you plan to release a physical CD, there are essentially two ways to get them done - either through an online service or through a local printer near you. I’ll unpack the two options:
Online - (**I recommend DISC MAKERS)
Disc Makers offers fantastic customer service, as well as a design portal where you can upload your album. They are more expensive than the vast majority of CD printers online, but if you choose to go the online route, Disc Makers is the best by far. Depending on what type of CD you print (jewel case, wallet/jacket, Digipak, how many panels or inserts, etc.), your CD should cost around $1.50-$3.50 per unit. Believe me, paying extra to receive good customer service is worthwhile, especially when it comes to CD printing!
local
I obviously don’t know your local printers, but the clear advantages are:
You save $ on shipping
Sometimes, they are cheaper (but not always)
You have the personal benefit of possibly meeting with someone in person and making sure your files look right like you want them to look.