{"id":3311,"date":"2021-08-24T18:11:04","date_gmt":"2021-08-24T18:11:04","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/craighordlow.com\/index.php\/2021\/08\/24\/how-to-release-an-album-so-people-actually-want-to-buy-it\/"},"modified":"2021-08-24T18:11:04","modified_gmt":"2021-08-24T18:11:04","slug":"how-to-release-an-album-so-people-actually-want-to-buy-it","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/craighordlow.com\/index.php\/2021\/08\/24\/how-to-release-an-album-so-people-actually-want-to-buy-it\/","title":{"rendered":"How to Release an Album So People Actually Want to Buy It"},"content":{"rendered":"<p><span>Sometimes I look around at the single-dominated music landscape and think I\u2019m the only geek on the planet who still exclusively listens to full albums anymore.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span>Then I remember that most serious musicians still release full albums, even if (or <\/span><i><span>especially<\/span><\/i><span> if) they\u2019ve already released a series of singles leading up to it. Yes, even mega-selling pop titans who barrage the market with single after single eventually combine those songs on one release.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span>If you\u2019re here, that means you\u2019ve decided to release an album. This is a major milestone in your music career, whether it\u2019s your first or 10th. We\u2019re here to outline all the steps to make your new album a success.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span>But first, what does releasing an album actually do for your music career?<\/span><\/p>\n<div id=\"ez-toc-container\" class=\"ez-toc-v2_0_81 counter-hierarchy ez-toc-counter ez-toc-grey ez-toc-container-direction\">\n<div class=\"ez-toc-title-container\">\n<p class=\"ez-toc-title\" style=\"cursor:inherit\">Table of Contents<\/p>\n<span class=\"ez-toc-title-toggle\"><a href=\"#\" class=\"ez-toc-pull-right ez-toc-btn ez-toc-btn-xs ez-toc-btn-default ez-toc-toggle\" aria-label=\"Toggle Table of Content\"><span class=\"ez-toc-js-icon-con\"><span class=\"\"><span class=\"eztoc-hide\" style=\"display:none;\">Toggle<\/span><span class=\"ez-toc-icon-toggle-span\"><svg style=\"fill: #999;color:#999\" xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\" class=\"list-377408\" width=\"20px\" height=\"20px\" viewBox=\"0 0 24 24\" fill=\"none\"><path d=\"M6 6H4v2h2V6zm14 0H8v2h12V6zM4 11h2v2H4v-2zm16 0H8v2h12v-2zM4 16h2v2H4v-2zm16 0H8v2h12v-2z\" fill=\"currentColor\"><\/path><\/svg><svg style=\"fill: #999;color:#999\" class=\"arrow-unsorted-368013\" xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\" width=\"10px\" height=\"10px\" viewBox=\"0 0 24 24\" version=\"1.2\" baseProfile=\"tiny\"><path d=\"M18.2 9.3l-6.2-6.3-6.2 6.3c-.2.2-.3.4-.3.7s.1.5.3.7c.2.2.4.3.7.3h11c.3 0 .5-.1.7-.3.2-.2.3-.5.3-.7s-.1-.5-.3-.7zM5.8 14.7l6.2 6.3 6.2-6.3c.2-.2.3-.5.3-.7s-.1-.5-.3-.7c-.2-.2-.4-.3-.7-.3h-11c-.3 0-.5.1-.7.3-.2.2-.3.5-.3.7s.1.5.3.7z\"\/><\/svg><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/a><\/span><\/div>\n<nav><ul class='ez-toc-list ez-toc-list-level-1 ' ><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-1\" href=\"https:\/\/craighordlow.com\/index.php\/2021\/08\/24\/how-to-release-an-album-so-people-actually-want-to-buy-it\/#The_benefits_of_releasing_an_album\" >The benefits of releasing an album<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-2\" href=\"https:\/\/craighordlow.com\/index.php\/2021\/08\/24\/how-to-release-an-album-so-people-actually-want-to-buy-it\/#How_to_successfully_release_an_album\" >How to successfully release an album<\/a><ul class='ez-toc-list-level-3' ><li class='ez-toc-heading-level-3'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-3\" href=\"https:\/\/craighordlow.com\/index.php\/2021\/08\/24\/how-to-release-an-album-so-people-actually-want-to-buy-it\/#Distribute_your_album\" >Distribute your album<\/a><\/li><\/ul><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-4\" href=\"https:\/\/craighordlow.com\/index.php\/2021\/08\/24\/how-to-release-an-album-so-people-actually-want-to-buy-it\/#How_to_prepare_for_your_album_release\" >How to prepare for your album release<\/a><ul class='ez-toc-list-level-3' ><li class='ez-toc-heading-level-3'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-5\" href=\"https:\/\/craighordlow.com\/index.php\/2021\/08\/24\/how-to-release-an-album-so-people-actually-want-to-buy-it\/#Protect_your_copyright\" >Protect your copyright<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-3'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-6\" href=\"https:\/\/craighordlow.com\/index.php\/2021\/08\/24\/how-to-release-an-album-so-people-actually-want-to-buy-it\/#Administer_your_publishing\" >Administer your publishing<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-3'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-7\" href=\"https:\/\/craighordlow.com\/index.php\/2021\/08\/24\/how-to-release-an-album-so-people-actually-want-to-buy-it\/#Register_with_SoundExchange\" >Register with SoundExchange<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-3'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-8\" href=\"https:\/\/craighordlow.com\/index.php\/2021\/08\/24\/how-to-release-an-album-so-people-actually-want-to-buy-it\/#Monetize_your_songs\" >Monetize your songs<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-3'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-9\" href=\"https:\/\/craighordlow.com\/index.php\/2021\/08\/24\/how-to-release-an-album-so-people-actually-want-to-buy-it\/#Opt_in_for_sync_licensing\" >Opt in for sync licensing<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-3'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-10\" href=\"https:\/\/craighordlow.com\/index.php\/2021\/08\/24\/how-to-release-an-album-so-people-actually-want-to-buy-it\/#Make_and_sell_merch\" >Make and sell merch<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-3'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-11\" href=\"https:\/\/craighordlow.com\/index.php\/2021\/08\/24\/how-to-release-an-album-so-people-actually-want-to-buy-it\/#Sign_up_for_physical_distribution\" >Sign up for physical distribution<\/a><\/li><\/ul><\/li><\/ul><\/nav><\/div>\n<h2><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"The_benefits_of_releasing_an_album\"><\/span><span>The benefits of releasing an album<\/span><span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n<p><span>The album format brings advantages that singles just can\u2019t match.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><b>Releasing an album grants you:<\/b><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li><b>Increased PR options:<\/b><span> An album release is a major event. Artists generally release numerous singles each year, but only an album every few years. Even moderns fans weaned on singles know that an album release is a big deal, so play it up! When you release your album, go harder in your <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/diymusician.cdbaby.com\/music-promotion\/music-marketing\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\"><span>marketing<\/span><\/a><span> than you would with singles.<\/span><\/li>\n<li><b>Physical media:<\/b><span> You\u2019re not pressing vinyl or CDs for your singles, because only the most obsessive fans buy single-song records, or especially CDs. You know what fans <\/span><i><span>do<\/span><\/i><span> buy? Full albums! Yes, contrary to what you might have read, music on physical formats is not dead. In fact, <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.musicweek.com\/labels\/read\/major-label-execs-on-the-2021-vinyl-boom-continued\/083861\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\"><span>Music Week reports<\/span><\/a><span> that physical music sales surged in 2021, with industry-wide sales growing 34% year over year to 4.4 million units in Quarter 2 of this year. People still want to own the music their favorite artists spent so much time creating.<\/span><\/li>\n<li><b>Other merch options:<\/b><span> Going back to our first point, releasing an album is a big deal. Most independent artists don\u2019t release new merch for new singles due to their relative frequency. But new albums are more rare. A new album is an event you can commemorate with a shirt with the album\u2019s artwork, or a tote with the title, or a hoodie with both! Or merch for every song!<\/span><\/li>\n<li><b>A bigger evolution in your music career:<\/b><span> An album is a new chapter in your musical journey. Look at the Wikipedia page of any artist with a deep discography. You\u2019ll see their career history marked by album releases. It\u2019s how fans track the progress of artists. Albums are a major creative statement and a line of demarcation from your previous era, especially if you had only released singles up to that point.<\/span><\/li>\n<li><b>More clout from the press and industry experts:<\/b><span> Albums aren\u2019t only how fans track your progress; they\u2019re how critics and other music press cover your work. While there are some reviews of singles, no one\u2019s dedicating many words to one song. A reviewer wants to sink their teeth into a full album. Likewise, journalists generally write features on artists after they release an album, not a single. People want to read the story of how you created the entire collection of songs.<\/span><\/li>\n<li><b>Higher visibility on streaming platforms:<\/b> <a href=\"https:\/\/diymusician.cdbaby.com\/music-promotion\/how-to-distribute-and-promote-your-music-on-spotify\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\"><span>Spotify<\/span><\/a><span>, <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/diymusician.cdbaby.com\/releasing-music\/the-indie-musicians-guide-to-apple-music\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\"><span>Apple Music<\/span><\/a><span> and the other major streaming platforms still place albums at the top of artist profiles. A new album goes right to the top for all to see your achievement.<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<h2><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"How_to_successfully_release_an_album\"><\/span><span>How to successfully release an album<\/span><span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n<p><span>All those benefits are great, but we\u2019re not here to sell you on releasing an album; we\u2019re here to tell you how to release an album that people will be excited about, that they\u2019ll want to stream and even buy. Remember when people bought music? They still do! They just need a harder sell than before.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><b>Here\u2019s how to make people want to stream and actually buy your album:<\/b><\/p>\n<ol>\n<li><b>Record more songs than you need:<\/b><span> Spotify and Apple Music are identical in what they consider an \u201calbum\u201d: to qualify as an album, your release must contain either seven or more tracks, or be over 30 minutes in length. If you\u2019re aiming to just hit that seven to qualify, set your goal for 12 tracks instead, using all your ideas to fill any extra slots. It\u2019s always better to have more songs than you need so you can be ruthless and cut the ones that don\u2019t pass muster, saving only the absolute best for your album.<\/span><\/li>\n<li><b>Design attractive cover art:<\/b><span> Yes, great cover art still matters, even in the age of streaming; <\/span><i><span>especially<\/span><\/i><span> in the age of streaming. Listeners have more music to choose from than ever before, and you want your album to stand out amidst the thousands of choices on fans\u2019 feeds. These days, you can <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/diymusician.cdbaby.com\/releasing-music\/common-cover-art-mistakes-that-will-get-your-music-removed-from-streaming-services\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\"><span>DIY professional-looking cover art<\/span><\/a><span> for next to nothing and with pretty minimal graphic design know-how.<\/span><\/li>\n<li><b>Take artist photos:<\/b><span> Like cover art, artist photos are a visual representation of who you are and what kind of music you create. <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/diymusician.cdbaby.com\/music-promotion\/musician-photo-shoot-tips\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\"><span>Hire a photographer to take professional pictures<\/span><\/a><span> of you\/your band. Have ideas of what these photos should convey ahead of time so you can communicate that at the shoot. You can use these photos in tons of formats, including your album art\/liner notes, artist <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/diymusician.cdbaby.com\/music-promotion\/music-websites\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\"><span>website<\/span><\/a><span>, social profiles, etc. Anywhere you can upload an image, you\u2019ll have a great shot that will put a face to all that great music.<\/span><\/li>\n<li><b>Know your story:<\/b><span> How do you stand out from the thousands of artists also releasing music? What makes your music <\/span><i><span>yours<\/span><\/i><span> and how does your new album fit into your story? Is your band a bunch of rebels who are releasing their most aggressive album yet? Or are you an intimate solo artist writing personal confessionals? Play that up on your website, social profiles and other web presence. Speaking of\u2026<\/span><\/li>\n<li><b>Optimize your web presence:<\/b><span> Use your spiffy new artist photos to deck out your website and update it for the new album. This is common practice for artists, as a new album signals a new chapter. Along with your new photos, don\u2019t forget to update your bio with information about the new album. Give this new music context in the grand vision of your story and use a compelling call to action (CTA) to entice people to check out your work. If you\u2019re the band of rebels, try \u201cHear the album that almost got us kicked out of the studio.\u201d Or if you\u2019re the indie singer-songwriter, maybe \u201cMy new album made my producer cry on the first song.\u201d Also, don\u2019t forget to update your banners on social platforms. Tease the new artwork with a brief upsell like \u201cAll-new album coming soon!\u201d<\/span><\/li>\n<li><b>Create awesome physical product:<\/b><span> Like we said above, the death of the CD is greatly exaggerated, and vinyl is still mega-popular, especially in the past year. The tangibility of vinyl and CD brings fans closer to the music and the artist who created it, <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.discmakers.com\/?utm_campaign=GOOGLE013&amp;utm_source=google&amp;utm_medium=cpc&amp;utm_content=&amp;utm_term=%2Bdiscmakers&amp;gclid=Cj0KCQjwpf2IBhDkARIsAGVo0D0WLwZ3Zrp6dN8j_gLZnxH90_Q3ukt_RTW5F-cjX0N8YsWLiGXhyScaAgdzEALw_wcB\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\"><span>so print some physical media<\/span><\/a><span>. Enhance the tactile experience of your album with things like detailed liner notes, expanded artwork exclusive only to CD or vinyl (gatefold LPs have tons of room for those artist photos you took!) and limited color vinyl.<\/span><\/li>\n<li><b>Give your fans a deal:<\/b><span> Don\u2019t be afraid to discount the CD and\/or vinyl pressings of your album. When you add your new album to the store on your website, run a limited-time sale for your fans if they buy it within a certain amount of time after the release date. You can even use <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/diymusician.cdbaby.com\/music-promotion\/advertising-for-musicians\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\"><span>retargeting ads<\/span><\/a><span> to entice someone who may have added your CD to their shopping cart but never checked out.<\/span><\/li>\n<li><b>Make a web store:<\/b><span> Virtual storefront <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.shopify.com\/facebook-instagram\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\"><span>Shopify<\/span><\/a><span> offers integration with Facebook and Instagram so you can sell your merch right on social platforms. If you <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/diymusician.cdbaby.com\/music-promotion\/music-websites\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\"><span>created your artist website with Bandzoogle<\/span><\/a><span>, you can integrate a commission-free web store with your website.<\/span><\/li>\n<li><b>Build hype for your album with singles:<\/b><span> You can create anticipation for your impending album release with a <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/podcast.cdbaby.com\/2020\/07\/259-10-strategies-for-releasing-a-single-in-2020\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\"><span>series of singles<\/span><\/a><span> leading to the release. Many artists use the \u201cwaterfall strategy,\u201d where they drop one single each month for a few months leading to the release of their album. If you\u2019ve already finished all the songs for your next album, just hold off on releasing them all at once. Instead, distribute one song as a single each month for three to five months and promote each release on social media to build anticipation for the eventual full album.<\/span><\/li>\n<li><b>Map out a promotion strategy:<\/b><span> Invest in your promotional efforts leading up to and after the release of your album. Even indie artists on smaller budgets can afford effective promo campaigns on social platforms like <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/diymusician.cdbaby.com\/music-promotion\/facebook-instagram-ads-musicians\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\"><span>Facebook and Instagram<\/span><\/a><span> and <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/diymusician.cdbaby.com\/ad-builder\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\"><span>major websites<\/span><\/a><span> through <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.show.co\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\"><span>Show.co<\/span><\/a><span>. It\u2019s an essential tool in your <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/diymusician.cdbaby.com\/music-promotion\/advertising-for-musicians\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\"><span>music advertising<\/span><\/a><span> repertoire.<\/span><\/li>\n<li><b>Make video content:<\/b><span> The music video\u2019s dominance might be a bygone era, but video still matters in the age of streaming. Heck, it might matter <\/span><i><span>even more<\/span><\/i><span> with the billions of users on YouTube, TikTok, Instagram and tons of other social video platforms available. With all these platforms to choose from and the varying formats they host, the <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/diymusician.cdbaby.com\/music-promotion\/creating-a-real-video-strategy-with-rotor\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\"><span>music video<\/span><\/a><span> is a versatile tool at your disposal for promotional efforts, fan connection and expansion of your artistry. And unlike the heydays of MTV and VH1, making a great video doesn\u2019t have to break the bank. You can even make compelling album launch videos, lyric videos and ads to place on <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/diymusician.cdbaby.com\/music-promotion\/how-to-get-your-music-on-instagram-stories\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\"><span>Stories<\/span><\/a><span>, <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/diymusician.cdbaby.com\/music-promotion\/youtube-shorts\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\"><span>Shorts<\/span><\/a><span> and <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/diymusician.cdbaby.com\/music-promotion\/tiktok-music-promotion-guide\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\"><span>TikTok<\/span><\/a><span> right on your phone.<\/span><\/li>\n<li><b>Organize your strategy with a content calendar:<\/b><span> Departments that generate content organize all that with a content calendar so they know who is supposed to do what by when. Take a cue with your own content calendar of all the things you\u2019re planning to do. Mapping out when you\u2019re posting <\/span><span>videos, new singles, social posts\/ads etc. ahead of time will mitigate the chaos that comes with releasing an album.<\/span><\/li>\n<li><b>Plan your release timeline:<\/b><span> Much like planning your promo efforts and accompanying preparation with your content calendar, you also need to map out all the information required for your actual album release. <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/release.cdbaby.com\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\"><span>CD Baby\u2019s Release Plan Generator<\/span><\/a><span> guides you through all these steps one by one. From claiming or updating streaming platform artist profiles to creating a pre-save campaign, the Release Plan Generator has you covered with everything related to your album you\u2019ll want to do in final prep stages before its release.<\/span><\/li>\n<li><b>Plan a release party:<\/b><span> You\u2019ve gone through all this work to write, record and prep your album for release. Once that\u2019s all done, plan an event to celebrate unleashing your creation onto the world! In our current pandemic age, this is very likely a virtual event like a <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/diymusician.cdbaby.com\/music-promotion\/the-musicians-guide-to-live-streaming\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\"><span>livestream<\/span><\/a><span>. Either way, give yourself about three months of cushion between when you get your CDs\/vinyl back from the manufacturer and the date of the release party. This gives you ample room to send your complete album and press release out to influencers like bloggers, radio program directors, podcasters and journalists. It also gives you some wiggle room in case there are any unforeseen delays in pressing your media. Promote your livestream on your website and all your social channels to ensure the maximum attendance.<\/span><\/li>\n<li><b>Boost your promo with a PR campaign:<\/b><span> Looking for an extra bump in your promo efforts? Hire a public relations professional to pitch your album, videos, release show and just you or your band to press like blogs and music websites. They\u2019ll also help you design an electronic press kit (EPK) with all this information collected so it\u2019s all in one handy place for anyone you\u2019re pitching coverage to. PR professionals aren\u2019t cheap, but the extra attention can pay dividends down the road if it means more people attend your release event or get excited for your album from your music video. All that hype translates into more listeners for your album, which means more people actually buying it. And that\u2019s why we\u2019re here in the first place!<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ol>\n<h3><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Distribute_your_album\"><\/span><span>Distribute your album<\/span><span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3>\n<p><span>After all that prep, you\u2019re finally ready to get your album out to the world! <\/span><span>To do this, you\u2019ll need a distributor to send your album to all the digital platforms. That\u2019s where CD Baby comes in.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span>We distribute to over 250 platforms worldwide, and offer a suite of optional services to take your music further and earn every cent you\u2019re owed (more on that soon).<\/span><\/p>\n<p><a class=\"co-button\" href=\"https:\/\/members.cdbaby.com\/sign-up\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">DISTRIBUTE YOUR MUSIC<\/a><\/p>\n<h2><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"How_to_prepare_for_your_album_release\"><\/span><span>How to prepare for your album release<\/span><span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n<p><span>Those are the essential steps to take while preparing your album\u2019s release so you can give it the best chance at succeeding. There\u2019s also some general housekeeping and paperwork you\u2019ll want to do during and after you complete the submission process to protect your music and get paid for every sale, stream and use once they start rolling in.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><b>During your album submission, you\u2019ll want to:<\/b><\/p>\n<h3><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Protect_your_copyright\"><\/span><span>Protect your copyright<\/span><span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3>\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/diymusician.cdbaby.com\/music-rights\/copyright-for-musicians\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\"><span>Copyright<\/span><\/a><span> signifies the ownership of intellectual property by a person or group.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><b>There are two types of music copyright:<\/b><\/p>\n<ol>\n<li><span> The composition (PA copyright)\u00a0 \u2014 which is the music and lyrics, owned by songwriters and\/or publishers<\/span><\/li>\n<li><span> The sound recording (SR copyright)\u00a0 \u2014 which is a particular recorded version of that music and lyrics, owned by artists or labels<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ol>\n<p><span>If you wrote and recorded your songs by yourself, you own all your copyrights! If you wrote and\/or recorded with other people, you\u2019ll want to get your ownerships in writing using documents called split sheets.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span>Once you\u2019ve figured all that out, you\u2019ll want to <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/diymusician.cdbaby.com\/music-rights\/the-easiest-way-to-register-the-copyright-for-your-music\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\"><span>register your composition and sound recording copyrights with the U.S. Copyright Office<\/span><\/a><span>. You don\u2019t have to do this before you release your album, but it\u2019s a good idea to do it sooner rather than later so you\u2019ll be protected.<\/span><\/p>\n<h3><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Administer_your_publishing\"><\/span><span>Administer your publishing<\/span><span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3>\n<p><span>The second part of protecting your copyright involves registering your compositions with performing rights organizations (PRO) and mechanical agencies. These organizations collect revenue for the use of your composition through publishing royalties. They exploit your composition\u2019s <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/diymusician.cdbaby.com\/music-rights\/music-publishing-explained\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\"><span>publishing<\/span><\/a><span> rights anywhere they\u2019re used so you get paid what you\u2019re owed.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span>And while you <\/span><i><span>could<\/span><\/i><span> affiliate with all those organizations and register your songs, you likely don\u2019t have the time. And with many organizations you flat-out can\u2019t due to publisher permissions and language barriers.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span>Publishing is collected all over the world, and you need a publishing administrator to collect it all for you. CD Baby is a globally registered publishing administrator through our <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/cdbaby.com\/publishing\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\"><span>CD Baby Pro service<\/span><\/a><span>.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><b>Opt in while submitting your album and we\u2019ll register your songs with your PRO, and every PRO and mechanical agency around the world <\/b><b><i>and<\/i><\/b><b> collect any publishing royalties owed to you.<\/b><\/p>\n<h3><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Register_with_SoundExchange\"><\/span><span>Register with SoundExchange<\/span><span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3>\n<p><span>While we\u2019re on the subject of collecting royalties for your songs, don\u2019t forget to register your album\u2019s songs with <a href=\"https:\/\/www.soundexchange.com\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">SoundExchange<\/a>. This organization collects royalties for recordings played on satellite radio and Internet radio platforms like Pandora. Since this revenue is for the sound recording and not the composition, it\u2019s paid to artists and labels rather than songwriters and publishers.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span>This is one of the few things CD Baby <\/span><i><span>doesn\u2019t<\/span><\/i><span> do for you. <\/span><b>So <a href=\"https:\/\/register.soundexchange.com\/#!\/home\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">make an account with SoundExchange<\/a> if you don\u2019t have one already and register all your songs.<\/b><span> Even if your music isn\u2019t on Pandora (yet!), it could be getting satellite airplay you don\u2019t even know about.<\/span><\/p>\n<h3><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Monetize_your_songs\"><\/span><span>Monetize your songs<\/span><span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3>\n<p><span>\u201cIsn\u2019t monetizing my music just making money from my songs?\u201d you might ask. Well yes, but there\u2019s more to it.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/diymusician.cdbaby.com\/music-rights\/how-to-monetize-your-music-on-every-platform\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\"><b>Music monetization<\/b><\/a><b> is a new-ish term that describes seeking out revenue from new, non-traditional sources like social media and video platforms.<\/b><\/p>\n<p><b>You can monetize these platforms to earn revenue any time your music is played:<\/b><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li><span>YouTube<\/span><\/li>\n<li><span>Facebook<\/span><\/li>\n<li><span>Instagram<\/span><\/li>\n<li><span>TikTok\/Resso<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><span>As with just about everything on this list, CD Baby can help you monetize your music on those platforms. Just opt in for monetization while submitting your album and we\u2019ll send your songs to those platforms. This will allow creators to use them in their posts, <\/span><i><span>and<\/span><\/i><span> will generate some revenue for you for those uses, which CD Baby also collects!<\/span><\/p>\n<h3><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Opt_in_for_sync_licensing\"><\/span><span>Opt in for sync licensing<\/span><span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3>\n<p><span>Each month, CD Baby places artists like you in movies, TV shows, video games, advertisements and other media through our <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/diymusician.cdbaby.com\/music-career\/earn-real-money-with-sync-licensing\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\"><span>sync licensing program<\/span><\/a><span>. A successful placement in this type of media puts your music in front of tons of new listeners.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span>And it\u2019s not only a great way to get exposure for your songs; there\u2019s real money to be made in sync licensing! When your music is placed, we negotiate the upfront fee according to a few variables with the party who\u2019s placing your music, and those fees can reach some pretty impressive numbers. AND that revenue is growing.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span>Want your music featured on a big TV show or movie?<\/span><\/p>\n<p><a class=\"co-button\" href=\"https:\/\/cdbaby.com\/license-your-music.aspx\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">OPT IN FOR SYNC LICENSING<\/a><\/p>\n<h3><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Make_and_sell_merch\"><\/span><span>Make and sell merch<\/span><span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3>\n<p><span>A new album calls for new merch! Print your album art on a shirt or slap the title on a hat. Merch related to a specific album makes the items seem limited and special. It\u2019s different from a generic band shirt with your name on it. People want to collect something special, because they know albums don\u2019t come around often.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><b>Once you make your merch, there are a few places to sell it:<\/b><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li><b>Merchbar on Spotify:<\/b><span> Spotify offers integration with a virtual merch table called Merchbar. All you need to do is sign up for Merchbar and <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/diymusician.cdbaby.com\/music-promotion\/spotify-for-artists\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\"><span>verify your Spotify artist profile<\/span><\/a><span> and you can list your merch right on your Spotify profile.<\/span><\/li>\n<li><b>Your website:<\/b><span> If you don\u2019t have an artist website yet, you should. Even in the age of social media, an official artist website is an essential component of your marketing efforts. You can create an intuitive, attractive website using <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/diymusician.cdbaby.com\/music-promotion\/music-websites\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\"><span>Bandzoogle<\/span><\/a><span>. While your website is a great way to keep in touch with fans and promote your music, it\u2019s also a perfect place to sell merch since you keep most of the proceeds (or all if you use Bandzoogle\u2019s Store Feature).<\/span><\/li>\n<li><b>Facebook and Instagram:<\/b><span> We already mentioned Shopify above, but we\u2019ll plug them again. You can sell your merch on social super easily with their storefront.<\/span><\/li>\n<li><b>At a show:<\/b><span> They\u2019re coming back! Slowly but surely, artists are gigging again. We\u2019ve talked a lot about virtual merch tables, but what about analog ones? A well-stocked merch table at a show is the original way artists sell merch directly to fans. The best part? <\/span><i><span>All<\/span><\/i><span> that money goes right to you. And of course the smiling faces of happy fans purchasing your wares.<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<h3><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Sign_up_for_physical_distribution\"><\/span><span>Sign up for physical distribution<\/span><span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3>\n<p><b>Distribution with CD Baby also includes listing your CD and\/or vinyl in major online retailers like Amazon.<\/b><span> Just make sure to opt in for wholesale during the submission process and we\u2019ll sell your vinyl or CD!<\/span><\/p>\n<div class=\"embed-responsive embed-responsive-16by9\">\n<div class=\"iframe-container\"><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<p><span>You can also sell your physical media directly to fans using the merch platforms we listed in the previous section. While that\u2019s all great, you can take your merch promotional efforts a step further with a <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/diymusician.cdbaby.com\/music-promotion\/grow-your-email-list-and-make-a-profit-by-giving-away-your-albums-for-free\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\"><span>Free Plus Shipping and Handling (F+S&amp;H) deal<\/span><\/a><span>.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span>An F+S&amp;H deal is where you send fans a copy of your new CD if they cover the shipping and handling. This is a great promotional strategy because you not only get your CD into fans\u2019 hands guaranteed, but you also foster a connection with your fans. You can even offer a subscription to your mailing list as part of the deal so you increase your marketing possibilities at the same time.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span>As you can see, an album release is a major event in an artist\u2019s career. There\u2019s a ton to plan for and much more work required than there is when releasing a single. But if you follow our guide, you\u2019ll be on your way to making a significant leap in your music\u2019s success.<\/span><\/p>\n<p>The post <a rel=\"nofollow noopener\" href=\"https:\/\/diymusician.cdbaby.com\/releasing-music\/how-to-release-an-album-so-people-actually-want-to-buy-it\/\" target=\"_blank\">How to Release an Album So People Actually Want to Buy It<\/a> appeared first on <a rel=\"nofollow noopener\" href=\"https:\/\/diymusician.cdbaby.com\/\" target=\"_blank\">DIY Musician<\/a>.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Sometimes I look around at the single-dominated music landscape and think I\u2019m the only geek on the planet who still exclusively listens to full albums anymore. Then I remember that most serious musicians still release full albums, even if (or especially if) they\u2019ve already released a series of singles leading up to it. Yes, even mega-selling pop titans who barrage the market with single after single eventually combine those songs on one release. If you\u2019re here, that means you\u2019ve decided to release an album. This is [&hellip;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":0,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"h5ap_radio_sources":[],"cybocfi_hide_featured_image":"","footnotes":""},"categories":[1],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-3311","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-best-seo-blogs"],"featured_image_src":null,"featured_image_src_square":null,"author_info":{"display_name":false,"author_link":"https:\/\/craighordlow.com\/author\/"},"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/craighordlow.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/3311","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/craighordlow.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/craighordlow.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/craighordlow.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=3311"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/craighordlow.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/3311\/revisions"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/craighordlow.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=3311"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/craighordlow.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=3311"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/craighordlow.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=3311"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}