Is DistroKid a Publisher?
As an independent artist trying to navigate the music industry, you may come across several platforms that promise to distribute your music worldwide. One of these platforms is DistroKid. But what exactly does DistroKid do? Is DistroKid a publisher? And how can you get in touch with them if you need assistance? This article will delve into these questions and provide you with a clearer understanding of DistroKid's role in the music industry.
Understanding Music Distribution vs. Music Publishing
To determine if DistroKid is a publisher, it’s essential to understand the difference between music distribution and music publishing. Music distribution involves getting your music into online stores and streaming services like Spotify, Apple Music, and Amazon Music. Distributors collect the revenue from your sales and streams and pay it to you, usually after taking a small percentage or a flat fee.
On the other hand, music publishing encompasses the management of songwriters' rights. A music publisher ensures that songwriters get paid whenever their songs are used commercially. This involves collecting royalties from various sources such as radio play, live performances, and synchronization in media like movies and advertisements. Publishers also protect the legal rights of the songwriters and sometimes help the songwriters get their music placed with artists and labels.
No, DistroKid is not a music publisher. DistroKid functions primarily as a music distribution service. They focus on distributing your music to various digital platforms and collecting the revenue generated from streams and downloads. However, DistroKid does offer some ancillary services that might overlap with what music publishers do, such as helping artists earn revenue from YouTube or enabling global music publishing collection through partners, but they themselves do not perform the role of a traditional music publisher.
DistroKid's Role Explained
DistroKid sets itself apart by providing affordable and efficient distribution services. Their primary function is to distribute your music across multiple digital streaming platforms and stores with relative ease. Here’s a breakdown of what DistroKid offers:
- Distribution to major digital outlets including Spotify, Apple Music, Amazon, and more
- Fast uploads and updates to digital stores
- Global revenue collection and payout
- Basic royalty collection services
- Additional features like YouTube revenue collection, social media monetization, and cover song licensing
While these services are invaluable for independent artists needing efficient music distribution, they do not match the comprehensive role of a music publisher, who deals with performance and mechanical royalties, sync licensing, and songwriter representation.
Contacting DistroKid
If you need to get in touch with DistroKid, it’s important to note that they do not list a phone number publicly for customer support. Instead, DistroKid operates primarily through email and an extensive online help center. Here’s how you can contact them:
Via the DistroKid Website
DistroKid provides a robust Help Center on their website, where you can find answers to many common questions. To access customer support:
- Go to the DistroKid website
- Navigate to the Help Center
- Browse articles or use the search function to find relevant topics
- If you cannot find the answer, you can submit a support ticket via their online form
Social Media
Another way to contact DistroKid is through their social media platforms. They are active on Twitter, Facebook, and Instagram, where they often respond to user queries and provide updates.
Direct Email
For more specific issues, you might be able to contact DistroKid’s support directly through email, though they recommend using the Help Center first. To reach out via email, you can find their contact email within your DistroKid account’s settings.
Conclusion: Choosing the Right Services for Your Music Career
Understanding the various services available to musicians is essential for managing your career effectively. While DistroKid offers a valuable and user-friendly music distribution service, it is not a substitute for music publishing. If you are looking to collect performance and mechanical royalties, protect your songwriter rights, and secure sync opportunities, you would still need to engage a traditional music publisher or a specialized publishing administration service.
For artists looking to distribute their music efficiently and reach a global audience, DistroKid presents a strong option. However, you might also consider other distribution platforms and services to fully round out your music business needs. If you’re looking for an all-in-one platform that helps build your career, find new fans through TikTok, and manage your music's distribution and marketing, consider signing up as a SoundOn artist. SoundOn integrates various promotional tools and strategies to help you maximize your reach and revenue.
