Who is the best distribution to go through on the West Coast?
- Thread starter marcus
- Start date
As a new artist / label, your best available option is to create a buzz for the project via flyers, snippet cds, a one sheet (use a regional mailout & fax campaign) Then press your product according to the buzz and anticpated pre-orders and demand. From that point go to One Stops and smaller companies with various retail accounts... (who are more likely to take on your product) than an actual distributor.. unless your project is not seen as a run of the mill album without any type of hype or selling power. Not sure if you were trying to get a so-called "Distribution Deal" But those things are overrated and hard to come by these days as the indie rap business is basically in recession for midsize and lower labels and artists. I got three words for you.. CREATE THE DEMAND. and you can pretty much eat and survive in this hellhole.
unfortunetly there is way too many albums now days..
EVERYBODY has a cd out....so Getting distribution is difficult...
If you do happen to get it...the next things is actually selling units through them....the next hardest things is actually seeing one cent from them...the next hardest thing is having the poise not to go run up and kill one of those folks..the next hardest thing is releasing another cd knowing you can't trust anybody...
my advice...SELL DRUGS!
EVERYBODY has a cd out....so Getting distribution is difficult...
If you do happen to get it...the next things is actually selling units through them....the next hardest things is actually seeing one cent from them...the next hardest thing is having the poise not to go run up and kill one of those folks..the next hardest thing is releasing another cd knowing you can't trust anybody...
my advice...SELL DRUGS!
the next hardest things is actually seeing one cent from them...the next hardest thing is having the poise not to go run up and kill one of those folks
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People as a whole have to understand that one stops and distributors are there to supply a demand that you have to create. Most of them will brush you off indeed... however We as labels have to be prepared to deal with the corporate structure. Never throw all your eggs in one basket. Many more artists have to take initiative and invest into their own projects and taking the journey of trying to sell it and dealing with one stops and stores in order to experience the process from a label's standpoint, instead of pointing fingers and making accusations of bein ripped off. Plenty of one stops and distribution entities don't pay for 90-150 days... which is 3-5 months... and they pay on what's sold through .. not what's shipped or pressed (if they manufacture for you) Some of the spots will brush you off unless there's a demand and they have sold through your product and need more immediately, and in that case they will pay you, sometimes reluctantly.. but they'll pay you. It's a cold game but it's real in the battlefield.
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People as a whole have to understand that one stops and distributors are there to supply a demand that you have to create. Most of them will brush you off indeed... however We as labels have to be prepared to deal with the corporate structure. Never throw all your eggs in one basket. Many more artists have to take initiative and invest into their own projects and taking the journey of trying to sell it and dealing with one stops and stores in order to experience the process from a label's standpoint, instead of pointing fingers and making accusations of bein ripped off. Plenty of one stops and distribution entities don't pay for 90-150 days... which is 3-5 months... and they pay on what's sold through .. not what's shipped or pressed (if they manufacture for you) Some of the spots will brush you off unless there's a demand and they have sold through your product and need more immediately, and in that case they will pay you, sometimes reluctantly.. but they'll pay you. It's a cold game but it's real in the battlefield.
IT ALL DEPENDS....YOU GONNA HERA BAD SHIT BOUT CITY HALL ALL DAY....I FUCK WIT CITY HALL AND GET PAID ON TIME ALL DAY......THERES A TWIST TO THE GAME.....I GOT DISTRIBUTION IN TX AS WELL.....AT THE SAME TIME I CREATED QUIT THE NETWORK MY SELF...IF YOU SERIOUS ABOUT IT DROP ME A PM AND LET'S SEE WHAT WE CAN DO.CHECK OUT OUR SITE ALSO WWW.CONNECTEDINC.NET
I would say that you have to stay on your toes and be bout it business wise.. however that's not a guarantee you'll get a fair shake. But the definition of "fair shake" will vary depending on who it is. It's very important for you as an artist / label to build and nurture a relationship with these one stops and distributors. The relationship is definitely a plus and makes you more than just another project to these people. Stay on the phone with them... utilize fax machines... e-mails... whatever else can keep you in their face. Set-up a lunch meeting explain your plans and sell yourself. Hopefully this helps.
city hall is cool with me..
but now.. go to our site and click on services..
Connected INC Distribution
http://www.connectedinc.net
peace.
Jason Haft
but now.. go to our site and click on services..
Connected INC Distribution
http://www.connectedinc.net
peace.
Jason Haft
if you sale records you get paid . if you dont you cry a fuckinbg river blame everyone else involved to save face and cry foul on the distributor.
if you can sale records you wont need to worry cause with the state of rap, especially in the bay, people who sale records are need by the distributor. they need us as bad as we need them.
if you flop dont bother calling cause they aint answering. if you bubble for them you will get checks regularly. and its not 1 persons fault how shit turns out. its a group effert. not 1 person at a distributor is at fault if you flop or dont get paid. and everyone involved is intitled to a share of the bread if they worlked to help make it.
good luck in all of your adventures in rap. IT CAN BE FUN. AND DONT TAKE SHIT PERSONAL. MAKE IT ALL BUSINESS.
if you can sale records you wont need to worry cause with the state of rap, especially in the bay, people who sale records are need by the distributor. they need us as bad as we need them.
if you flop dont bother calling cause they aint answering. if you bubble for them you will get checks regularly. and its not 1 persons fault how shit turns out. its a group effert. not 1 person at a distributor is at fault if you flop or dont get paid. and everyone involved is intitled to a share of the bread if they worlked to help make it.
good luck in all of your adventures in rap. IT CAN BE FUN. AND DONT TAKE SHIT PERSONAL. MAKE IT ALL BUSINESS.