One way to get on Spotify and other services is through something called TUNE CORE. It's not free but it is cheap. I've looked through most of these and so far I like this one best. If anyone else has another option please do share!!!
www.tunecore.com
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Here’s some of the awesome stuff you get through TuneCore:

Worldwide digital distribution to over 150 stores, including iTunes, Spotify, and Google Play
Pre-orders for iTunes & Google Play
Daily Trend Reports to keep a day-to-day eye on your sales in Spotify, iTunes, and Amazon.
TuneCore’s commitment has always been to our artists. That’s why we never take a percentage of your sales, and never withhold any of your distribution rights.

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Another way is through REVERBNATION.com for $1 per song, they will let you pick six streaming services (spotify etc.) to stream your spiff song through

The price was so good, that I put my recent collab with Hamin from Iran on reverbnation to see how it does


I talk about this stuff a lot, as I keep seing folks release albums digital and CD to no apparent audience and then end up giving most of the CDs away. One would like to think that "if you build it, they will come" but it seldom works that way. Doing something low cost to get your music out there is often a very good way to get the ball rolling

Also, it's not very hard to get a ranked position on reverbnation.com, and its something you can add to your social media, and press kit etc. To show how easy it is, I'm currently ranked in the Top 10.


*Also going to post this in Promoting Your Music and You

Todd

This post has been edited by Todd Simpson: May 12 2018, 04:45 AM

There are many such services to choose from. In my experience the key difference among them is the fee structure. Some charge an annual fee to keep an album available, while others charge a one-rime fee when you release it. The former usually costs less up front while the latter cost less in the long run. For example TuneCore charges $30 the first year for an album and $50 per year after that. But CDBaby (the service I use) charges a one time fee when you release the album to make available forever (or at least as long as they are in business). I think I paid $75 for my latest album.

I too did it via CD Baby.

CD Baby is another great way to go, especially if you want actual CDs as well They all have different pricing options. So there are many ways for folks to get their music on all the streaming services, without going broke, even if you don't plan on doing any value added PLastic (CDs).

If you are about to release something, keep in mind you can just release a single, you don't have to release an album. I've ready wads of articles about people moving away from self releasing albums and instead just self releasing singles and then eventually releasing all the singles as an album if at all. A sort of "build as you go" approach that lets you see which tracks are being recieved well and which tracks are not.

Here is such an artice
Unless you’re Adele, you have no business releasing album tracks all at once
https://www.theverge.com/2017/4/5/15168340/...ify-hi-fi-tidal

But everyone is different and needs to go about things however they best see fit. I'm just offering some info and trying to stimulate some conversation.

The really good news is that for $1 you can get a song of your released on 6 streaming services including spotify via reverbnation which was the cheapest I found. Reverb nation is sorta sketchy to be honest, but they did have the best price. If you are just dipping your foot in the distribution waters, it's a cheap way to try things out

Toodd





That is a GREAT price for Album release! Especially since it's in perpetuity and not each year! I'd suggest that as a good way to go for anyone releasing an entire album.

Todd




This post has been edited by Todd Simpson: May 12 2018, 09:12 PM

I doubt I'll ever make an 'album' again.
I have one more band thing I'm finishing up for a band that doesn't even exist anymore. We have 9 or 10 songs recorded that I want to finish up. Nobody else gives a shit about it (and some of us hate each other) but I loathe unfinished business.

The next DIY thing for me will be an EP. Digital only.
3 or 4 songs and maybe a (fake) 'live in the studio' vid.

You are not alone As that article points out, many folks are just releasing songs in to the Digital Ethos and skipping physical units entirely. Physical units have such a high cost relative to digital units that it's just not always worth it. Many bands / projects end up with boxes of CDs that they just can't get rid of. Never a good thing.

Music has become looked on as a commodity like Air or Water. Something that just happens by itself and most folks don't feel like spending much money on it. They might have a spotify subscription, but for MANY folks that's it. Of course there are ALWAYS exceptions, and many folks still even buy Vinyl!

But as the article points out, for folks that are not ADELE or what not, it just doesn't make as much sense as it once did to release a full album and to have physical copies made.

The good news is, you can get started in digital distribution for $1. It's all upgrades from there.


Todd