What Are Featured Artists Supposed to Do?

In the music industry, featured artists play a crucial role in enhancing the breadth and impact of a song. Whether you are an emerging artist or a seasoned musician, understanding what it means to be a featured artist and how to leverage platforms like Distrokid and Spotify is essential for growth and visibility. In this article, we will dive into the responsibilities of a featured artist and how to optimize your presence on streaming platforms.

What Does It Mean to Be a Featured Artist?

Being a featured artist means collaborating on a track with another artist or a band. Your name appears alongside the main artist's name, indicating your contribution to the song. This collaboration can help increase exposure for both parties, combining fan bases and expanding reach. For example, a well-known artist featuring on a lesser-known artist’s song can introduce the latter to a broader audience and vice-versa.

Responsibilities of a Featured Artist

As a featured artist, you have certain responsibilities to fulfill to make the collaboration successful. Here are a few key points to consider:

• Creative Contribution: Your primary role is to add unique value to the track, be it through your vocals, musical skills, or songwriting abilities. Work closely with the primary artist to ensure your input aligns with the song’s vision and overall feel.
• Promotion: Actively promote the track through your social media channels and other platforms. Announce the collaboration, share behind-the-scenes content, and engage with your audience to create buzz around the release.
• Credits and Rights: Make sure that your contributions are properly credited on platforms like Spotify. This not only acknowledges your work but also helps in gaining royalties from streams and downloads.
• Professionalism: Maintain clear communication and professionalism throughout the collaboration. Be open to feedback and flexible in your approach to ensure a smooth creative process.

Using Distrokid for Music Distribution

Distrokid is a popular music distribution service that helps artists get their music on various streaming platforms, including Spotify. As a featured artist, you might be involved in the distribution process. Here’s how to utilize Distrokid effectively:

• Account Setup: If you don’t already have a Distrokid account, create one. It’s important for both main and featured artists to have accounts to properly manage the release and royalties.
• Track Submission: When submitting the track, ensure that both the main and featured artists are correctly credited. Distrokid allows you to specify these details during the upload process.
• Promotional Tools: Utilize Distrokid’s promotional tools, such as HyperFollow pages, to drive pre-save campaigns and garner interest before the release date.
• Analytics: Keep an eye on the analytics provided by Distrokid to track the song’s performance across various platforms. These insights can help you understand your audience better and tailor future promotions.

Maximizing Your Presence on Spotify

Spotify is one of the largest music streaming platforms globally, and having a strong presence here is vital for a featured artist. Here are some strategies to get the most out of Spotify:

• Spotify for Artists: Utilize the Spotify for Artists platform to claim your profile and manage your music. This tool provides valuable insights into your listeners and their demographics.
• Playlist Pitching: Pitch your collaboration to Spotify’s editorial playlists. Getting featured on popular playlists can drastically increase your exposure and streams.
• Profile Optimization: Ensure that your profile is up-to-date with high-quality images, a compelling bio, and links to your social media. Personalize your profile to reflect your style and brand.
• Engage with Fans: Use Spotify’s features like Artist’s Pick, where you can highlight a track, playlist, or album directly on your profile. Engage with your fans through the platform to build a loyal fanbase.

Adding Featured Artists on Spotify

When adding a featured artist to a track on Spotify, it's important to follow the correct procedures to ensure they receive proper recognition and royalties:

• Proper Metadata: Ensure that the track’s metadata accurately includes the names of all featured artists. This affects how your music is displayed and credited on Spotify.
• Artist Collaboration: Communicate with all collaborators to make sure they are informed about the release and any promotional activities. Mutual promotion can significantly boost the song’s reach.
• Shared Playlists: Create and share playlists that include your collaboration. Encourage the featured artist to do the same, leveraging both audiences to maximize stream counts.

Conclusion

Being a featured artist comes with its own set of responsibilities and opportunities. By effectively contributing to the creative process, promoting the track, and utilizing platforms like Distrokid and Spotify, you can boost your presence and build a broader fanbase. Remember, successful collaborations are built on mutual respect, clear communication, and strategic promotion. Take advantage of the tools and platforms available to you and work collaboratively to achieve musical success.

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