Hip Hop Distribution is here to discuss issues relevant for indie musicians. Music distribution has become very easy to attain and earning a living as a musician is possible. The main obstacle for musicians is keeping consistent marketing plans during times of being understaffed or unorganized. Speaking from personal experience, nothing in this music industry comes easy.

As an independent musician and label partner in Fried Roots, distribution was the initial obstacle. Fried Roots has used services for distribution such as Songcast and Tunecore to get our music with different major online retailers, and they work just great. Since iTunes currently is the #1 digital music US retailer, we felt that our music needs to be seen by that large of a domestic and international base.

Once your music is submitted with a distribution service or you set your own store up with options like easybe 1-2-3, you still need to direct traffic to your album. Use social networks like Ourstage, Myspace, or FutureProducers to promote your music in various arenas. From personal experience, I have learned alot from speaking with fellow forum members on sites. Use your FREE resources.

The great part of this is hip hop distribution can be packaged for multiple stores, such as iTunes, Rhapsody, and Napster. The main view point with this is you don’t know what music store all of your fans prefer when it comes to listening to and purchasing your music.

Cover your ground and expand your music to other stores to reach as many people as possible. Sell your music worldwide and give yourself a chance to make it.

I would like to thank everyone for stopping by.  The purpose of this blog is to discuss  issues that are important for independent musicians regarding distribution and music success.  My name is Mario Mendoza and am an independent musician as well as partner in an indie label based out of Los Angeles called Fried Roots.

Finding distribution was an obstacle for us initially because we didn’t know where to look.  Along with my business partner, Sundy Macalinao, we bounced out several ideas and options on a whiteboard and began the search. I am learning daily from speaking with fellow artists that there are several ways to find affordable distribution and actually earn a living.

The key to your operations’ success is organizing your time.  You will encounter different strategies to sell an album, several social networks to post music, and endless options for album promotion.  Space your schedule according to your projects leaving you time to record music or relax.

Please feel free to leave comments and suggestions towards any of the topics.  We must all learn from one another and make the independent movement that much stronger.