Guides and updates on independent music distribution, royalties, and getting your music heard.
A plain-English guide to how streaming royalties really work for independent artists — the two copyrights in every song, who collects what, and the difference between keeping 100% of your royalties and owning 100% of your music.
Read more →A step-by-step beginner's guide to getting your first track onto streaming platforms — file formats, artwork, ISRC codes, release dates, pitching to playlists, and the mistakes to avoid.
Read more →That $24.99 distribution plan rarely stays $24.99. Here's how add-on fees stack up across the major distributors — and how to figure out what you'll actually pay in a year.
Read more →Made a song with other people? Here's how royalty splits actually work, why you need a split sheet before release, and what happens to your money if you skip this step.
Read more →Most subscription distributors pull your music from streaming services the moment you stop paying — wiping out your stream counts, playlist spots, and history. Here's exactly what that means and how to protect yourself.
Read more →A clear guide to how YouTube Content ID works, how it earns independent artists money when other people use their music, and why most distributors charge you for it and take a cut.
Read more →Many of the 'independent' distribution platforms artists rely on are now owned by major labels and private equity. Here's who owns what in 2026 — and why it matters if staying independent is the whole point.
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