As the music industry continues to evolve, the opportunities for artists to reach their audiences and earn a living from their craft are expanding.
A major player in this transformation is TuneCore, a service that has become synonymous with independent music distribution. But what exactly is TuneCore, and how can emerging artists benefit from its features?
Let's dive into the world of music distribution and explore the potential of TuneCore for artists worldwide.
What Is TuneCore?
Founded in 2005, TuneCore enables independent artists to sell their music globally through a variety of online music services.
The platform allows artists to distribute their music to stores such as Spotify, iTunes, Apple Music, Amazon Music, Google Play, Tidal, and YouTube Music, among many others. But TuneCore goes beyond simple distribution, offering music publishing administration, artist services, promotion, and social media management.
The company's mission is to "empower you with the services and knowledge you need to find your fans and grow your audience," and they deliver on this promise. Let’s explore some of the platform's standout features that benefit artists.
TuneCore Key Features
With various platforms offering distribution services, choosing the right one can be daunting.
However, TuneCore stands out due to its extensive additional services, features, and benefits. Here are some highlights of being a TuneCore member:
1. Aspire Program
Exclusive to TuneCore, the Aspire Program is a collaboration with Believe, designed to elevate artists' careers. Once you start distributing your music through TuneCore, you may be selected for the Aspire Program.
This includes digital marketing and promotion support, dedicated project managers, industry professionals, and enhanced exposure opportunities.
2. Sync & Master Licensing
TuneCore’s global team actively pitches artists' music for placements in films, TV shows, commercials, and video games. This feature is particularly beneficial for artists aspiring to hear their music in various media.
While navigating the sync world can be challenging, TuneCore makes it accessible, taking a 20% cut of any commission earned.
3. Fast Payment
Every time someone streams or downloads your tracks, you earn money.
TuneCore ensures that 100% of this revenue goes directly into your account without taking a commission. This allows for immediate withdrawal, providing fast and easy access to your earnings.
4. Promotion
TuneCore supports artists from creation to promotion. During the creation stage, artists can receive fan feedback on tracks and personalized mastering from industry professionals.
Once your music is ready for release, TuneCore assists in promoting your work, offering services like website creation, lyric videos, and more.
5. Social Media Management
TuneCore Social is an all-in-one solution for managing your social media presence. It combines the functionality of multiple apps to streamline social media marketing for artists. The platform offers both Starter and Pro options.
The Starter plan includes posting and scheduling to Facebook and Twitter, as well as basic photo editing tools. The Pro plan offers additional features such as premium photo editing add-ons (stickers, filters, and text), and enhanced planning and scheduling tools.
Both plans come with ready-made hashtag sets to help you gain followers and manage your social media strategy effectively.
Tunecore Pros and Cons
Below are the main pros and cons of Tunecore.
Tunecore Pros
1. Affordability: One of the most affordable options for releasing music.
2. Customer Support: Provides top-tier customer support, often rated better than the competition.
3. Revenue Collection: Collects money directly from stores, offering a 100% revenue payout to artists.
4. Service Evolution: Continuously evolves its service offerings to meet the needs of artists.
5. Comprehensive Services: Not a “bare-bones” company; offers extensive services beyond basic distribution.
6. Exclusive Features: Boasts the best exclusive features compared to competitors, particularly in music publishing and sync licensing.
TuneCore Cons
1. Free Tier Limitations: The free tier only allows music distribution to social media platforms.
2. Hi-Res Audio: Currently, there is no option to release Master/MQA (hi-res) audio, although this feature is reportedly in development.
Is TuneCore Worth It?
Among the various distribution services available, TuneCore stands out with its wide range of services. Artists can find almost everything they need on TuneCore, albeit at a slightly higher price than some competitors. The company has a strong reputation in the industry, with users rating it 4.1 out of 5 stars on Trustpilot.
If you are solely looking for distribution, the price may be a bit steep, and alternatives like DistroKid might be more cost-effective. CD Baby also offers similar features and benefits at a slightly lower price. However, if you seek a comprehensive suite of services, fast payments, additional benefits, and a reliable distributor with a great reputation, TuneCore is an excellent fit for you and your music.
Musicians should consider TuneCore because it provides a robust platform for independent artists to distribute their music to major streaming services and digital stores, collect royalties, and retain 100% of their earnings.
Additionally, TuneCore offers valuable services such as music publishing administration, YouTube monetization, and sync licensing opportunities.
Conclusion on What is Tunecore
TuneCore has revolutionized the music industry by providing independent artists with the tools needed to distribute their music globally while retaining full control and revenue. Its user-friendly platform, comprehensive distribution network, and additional monetization services make it an attractive option for musicians looking to navigate the digital landscape.
However, like any service, it has its drawbacks, particularly the upfront costs and the need for self-promotion. Successful use of TuneCore requires a combination of great music, strategic marketing, and a proactive approach to managing your music career.
If you’re ready to take the leap into digital distribution, TuneCore offers a robust and reliable platform to help you share your music with the world.
