How to Collect Your Royalties from Digital Music Stores

As a music creator, you put a lot of effort and creativity into your work. One of the key challenges in the music industry is ensuring that your songs reach an audience and that you receive the royalties you deserve for them. In this article, we’ll guide you through the process of collecting your royalties from digital music stores, whether you’re an established business or an independent artist.

For Established Businesses

Established businesses can benefit from working with specialized organizations designed to help them manage their royalties. Here are some companies you might consider:

SoundExchange

SoundExchange is a non-profit organization that represents recording artists and music publishers in licensing deals and royalty collection. They primarily deal with performance and digital satellite royalties. You need to register your music with SoundExchange and ensure that your tracks are placed in their digital and satellite distribution systems. SoundExchange can help you collect royalties from major streaming platforms like Spotify and Pandora.

Kobalt

Kobalt is a music company that handles everything from distribution, marketing, and publishing to collecting your royalties. They offer a comprehensive service for managing your music rights and income streams. Kobalt ensures that you receive your share of royalties from various digital music stores and global markets. They cover everything from singles to full albums and focus on maximizing your earnings.

Hire a Royalties Auditor

Hiring a royalties auditor can be beneficial for ensuring that you receive accurate and timely payments from your digital music stores. A royalties auditor can help verify the invoices and ensure that all royalties are correctly calculated and disbursed. They can also provide a detailed report on any discrepancies or irregularities, helping you to get the correct payments.

For Indie Artists Looking to Distribute and Monetize Your Music

If you are an independent artist looking to distribute and monetize your music, there are several platforms and services to choose from. These platforms can help you reach a wider audience and manage your royalties more effectively.

DistroKid

DistroKid is a platform that streamlines the process of distributing your music across multiple digital stores. They handle the submission of your music, track claims, and ensure that your songs are correctly identified for licensing and royalties. DistroKid partners with over 150 digital music stores, making it easier for you to reach a global audience.

CDBaby

CDBaby is another popular platform for independent artists. They offer a one-stop solution for music distribution and publishing. CDBaby not only helps you distribute your music but also takes care of royalties from various digital stores, ensuring that you receive your full earnings. They have a vast network of distributors and sync services, allowing your music to be discovered and monetized more easily.

Conclusion

Collecting royalties from digital music stores can be complex, but with the right tools and partners, it can be a straightforward process. Whether you’re an established business or an independent artist, understanding the options available and leveraging the right services can help you maximize your earnings. By utilizing organizations like SoundExchange, Kobalt, and platforms like DistroKid and CDBaby, you can ensure that your music reaches the right audiences and that you receive the royalties you deserve.

Key Takeaways

Established businesses can work with SoundExchange, Kobalt, or hire a royalties auditor to collect and manage royalties. Indie artists can use DistroKid or CDBaby for distribution and royalty management services. Partnering with the right organizations or services can help you maximize your earnings from digital music stores.

Stay informed, stay creative, and keep growing your music career. Happy distributing!