The DistroDad Blog
Music business explained by people you'd actually enjoy having coffee with. No jargon, no gatekeeping.
How DistroDad's Artist Audit Works
We review your existing catalog, identify missing registrations, and tell you exactly what royalties you may be leaving uncollected. Free, no obligation.
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Copyright Registration: Do You Actually Need It?
Your music is automatically copyrighted. So why register? Because automatic protection and enforceable protection are very different things.
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Release Checklist: Everything to Do Before You Hit Publish
Metadata, artwork specs, ISRC codes, PRO registration — here's the full checklist so you don't miss anything on release day.
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What Is the MLC and How Do I Register?
The Mechanical Licensing Collective collects mechanical royalties from streaming. If you haven't registered, those royalties are sitting unclaimed.
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The Difference Between a Master Recording and a Composition
Two types of copyright, two different owners, two different royalty streams. Understanding this distinction is fundamental to your music business.
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What Is a PRO and Why Does Every Songwriter Need One?
If you've written a song and you're not registered with a Performing Rights Organization, you're leaving money on the table. Here's what you need to know.
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How to Claim Your Artist Profile on Spotify, Apple Music, and YouTube
Getting your music distributed is step one. Claiming your artist profiles is step two — and most independent artists skip it entirely.
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The Artwork Checklist Every Independent Artist Needs Before Releasing Music
One of the easiest ways to delay a release is submitting artwork that doesn't meet spec. Here's the checklist we use at DistroDad before every submission.
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Why I (a Music Distributor) Released My Own Song
I became my own client. Here's what I learned recording and releasing Punk Pledge — and why every DistroDad artist benefits from it.
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Why "Just Drop It Tomorrow" Is the Most Expensive Decision You Can Make
The date you hit "submit" matters almost as much as the song itself. Here's why waiting pays off — and exactly how to plan your timeline.
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