IN AN UNPRECEDENTED YEAR, the DIY musician and pop star alike have had to learn to navigate their careers during the pandemic, which largely meant pivoting to being as online as possible. Between livestreaming concerts from home studios and interacting with fans directly on social media platforms, it has been a year of renegotiating the artist’s role as their own marketing team. Every entry in this Guide to Digital Resources & Social Media was nominated by your fellow music-makers, Music Connection readers like your- self. Be sure to check out the newly added categories such as Beat Selling Websites, Music Sales Tracking, Online Instruction, Film/TV Licensing and Monetized Video Posting.
36 April 2021 musicconnection.com SOCIAL MEDIA & DIGITAL MARKETING TOOLS Services: Social media management disciplinary records for lawyers in every and optimization platform for brands and state. Get free legal advice, find the BITLY agencies of all sizes. Gives you a single right lawyer, and make informed legal Web: bitly.com hub for social media publishing, analytics decisions. Services: URL Shortener, Custom and engagement across all of your social Branded URLs, API & Link Management. profiles. FREE LEGAL ADVICE Fee: Standard - $99/mo, professional Web: freeadvice.com CANVA $149/mo, Advance $249/mo. Services: Comprehensive legal and Web: canva.com insurance advice, articles, answers, Services: Graphic-design tool website. UNSPLASH videos and news. Design presentations, social media Web: unsplash.com graphics, and more with thousands of Services: Database of high-resolution, LAWCHAMPS beautiful layouts. watermark-free images that are free for use. 866-653-3017 Web: lawchamps.com Services: Instantly matches consumers FORTUNES WEB DESIGN Web: fortunes.io with solo attorneys based on budget. Services: Cross-platform music data BANDZOOGLE Clients and attorneys can instant analytics, career recommendations to Email: [email protected] message, call & video chat with members- increase revenues. Web: bandzoogle.com only app. Features: Unlimited support, free domain FLYTEVU name, premium hosting, unlimited LAWHELP.ORG Web: flytevu.com bandwidth, mobile-ready themes, music Web: lawhelp.org Services: Full-Service entertainment player, SEO tools, tour calendar, EPK’s, Services: Created for people living on low- marketing company based in Nashville, TN. more. incomes and the legal organizations that Fee: Lite – 8.29/mo, Standard - $12.46/ serve them. LawHelp.org provides referrals HOOTSUITE mo, Pro - $16.63/mo. to local legal aid and public interest law Web: hootsuite.com offices, basic information about legal Services: Social media marketing and NING rights, court forms, self-help information, management platform. Helps you keep 855-233-6436 court information, links to social service track and manage your many social Web: ning.com agencies, and more in your state. network channels. It can enable you to Services: Social integration, custom monitor what people are saying about your design, 24/7 support, basic features LEGALZOOM brand and help you respond instantly. toolkit, monetization options 800-773-0888 Fee: Professional - $49/mo. Fee: Basic - $25/mo, Performance - $49/ Email: [email protected] mo, Ultimate - $99/mo. Web: legalzoom.com LINKMY.PHOTOS Services: Online legal help on business, Web: linkmy.photos SQUARESPACE intellectual property, contracts & Services: Instagram photos and captions Email: support.squarespace.com agreements, legal advice. are currently not linkable. The only place Web: squarespace.com where you can add a link to your website Features: Modern templates, adobe LEGAL SERVICES LINK is through the URL in your Instagram image editor, audio collections, social 844-529-3279 bio. Link My Photos has created the sharing, email campaigns, product Web: legalserviceslink.com destination for your Instagram bio. Your merchandising Services: Anonymously post your legal personalized Link My Photos page Fee: Personal - $12/mo., Business - $18/ needs quickly and for free. Lawyers displays all of your clickable photos to mo., Commerce, $26/$40 interested in helping you contact you via help your followers get to the content and email. Review the emails and select the products that you post. WIX best lawyer for you. Fee: Free, Shutterbug - $4.99/mo., Web: wix.com paparazzi - $9.99/mo Features: Design freedom, SEO, mobile MUSIC CONNECTION optimization, unlimited fonts, media Web: musicconnection.com/directories MAILCHIMP galleries, custom domain name, social Web: mailchimp.com tools, customizable music player, music NOLO Services: Email marketing tool that selling options, stats 800-631S-5158 allows you to send emails to hundreds or Fee: Free version available, Combo - $14/ Web: nolo.com thousands of recipients all at once. It is mo, Unlimited - $18/mo., Pro - $23/mo., Services: Answers to everyday legal and essentially a tool you can use to create VIP - $39/mo. business questions, lawyer directory and manage mailing lists and newsletters, as well as automate your email campaigns WORDPRESS UCLA SCHOOL OF LAW’S and collect leads. Web: wordpress.com MUSIC INDUSTRY CLINIC Fee: Free, Grow $9.99, $14.92/mo, Pro - Features: Custom domains, mobile Email: [email protected] $199/mo. friendly, built-in social sharing, in-depth Web: law.ucla.edu/academics/clinical-and- stats, search engine optimized experiential-programs/music-industry-clinic NUMBER ONE MUSIC Fee: Free, Personal - $4/mo, Premium - Services: Free 30-minute consultations to Web: N1m.com $8/mo, Business - $25/mo. individuals who need legal advice relating Services: A music portal dedicated to their careers in the music industry on solely to the development an exposure of selected dates. Independent Artists/Bands LEGAL SERVICES/ADVICE AVVO VOLUNTEER LAWYERS SPROUT SOCIAL Web: avvo.com FOR THE ARTS 866-878-3231 Services: Ratings, reviews and 212- 319-2787 ext. 1 Web: sproutsocial.com
April 2021 musicconnection.com 37 Email: [email protected] ways for artists to build relationships and Services: Provides multi-level song Web: vlany.org provide exclusive experiences to their writing courses developed by award- Services: VLA provides legal services to subscribers, or “patrons.” winning songwriters, song feedback, low-income artists and all non-profit arts Fees: 5% of successfully processed mentoring, one-on-one song coaching, co- organization in every artistic discipline. fees in addition to an effective payment writing, unscreened pitching opportunities processing fees that may vary based and more. on transaction amount and method of FUNDRAISING/FINANCIAL MATTERS payment and a fixed fee. These average TUNECORE (FAN REVIEWS) around 5% and 30 cents per transaction. 646-651-1060 ARTISTSHARE There are also Payout fees for moving Email: [email protected] Web: tunecore.com/artist-services/get- your funds from your Patreon account to reviewed Web: artistshare.com your bank account. Services: Operates as a record label and Services: Artist feedback, data analytics business model for artists which enables PLUMFUND them to fund their projects by allowing the GIG FINDER general public to directly finance, watch the Web: plumfund.com Services: Free to fundraisers and donors. creative process, and in most cases gain AIRGIGS access to extra material from an artist. There are no transaction fees for organizers or contributors, and no setup fees. Email: [email protected] Fees: 5% fee on contributions raised Web: airgigs.com in addition to third party credit card Fees: Third party fee of 2.8% + 30 cents deducted from each transaction. Services: platform for hiring professional processing fees (3-5%). session musicians, vocalists and audio engineers online. Songwriters, music FUNDLY ROYALTY EXCHANGE producers, bands and creatives can Web: fundly.com 1-800-718-2269 hire talent to enhance their existing Services: Crowdfunding site for online Web: royaltyexchange.com productions, or they can produce an fundraising. Raise money online from Services: Online marketplace & auction entire song from composition to mastering friends, family, colleagues, donors, and platform where investors & owners of completely online. other supporters via email, Facebook, royalty streams can buy royalties and sell Twitter, LinkedIn, Google, and social all types of royalties. Fees: Commission is collected after GIGMASTERS media networks. 866-342-9794 Fees: Platform fee of 4.9% per transaction auction at rate determined prior to listing from sellers. Third party fees for transfers Web: gigmasters.com in addition to payment processing fee of Services: Event services booking 3% + 30 cents per transaction. depending on bank account, location, and method of payment for buyers. platform. Hire local musicians, DJs, bands, photographers and speakers for GOFUNDME special event. Web: gofundme.com SOUND ROYALTIES Services: For-profit crowdfunding platform Email: [email protected] Web: soundroyalties.com GIGSALAD that allows people to raise money for Web: gigsalad.com events. 0% platform fee. Services: Offers music professionals non-credit based financing and funding Services: Find and book everything from Fees: Fees vary based on country. United bands, musicians, and DJs to entertainers, States is 2.9% + 30 cents per donation. without having to deal with banks or traditional lenders. speakers and event services.
INDIEGOGO REVERBNATION Web: indiegogo.com MUSIC REVIEW/OPINION/FEEDBACK Email: [email protected] Services: International crowdfunding Web: reverbnation.com website. Indiegogo allows people to solicit FLUENCE Services: Online platform that provides funds for an idea, charity, or start-up Email: [email protected] marketing tools and industry opportunities business. Indiegogo charges a 5% fee on Web: Fluence.io for musicians, artists, and bands to contributions. Services: Promotion, makes curators manage their careers. Fees: 5% of funds raised in addition directly accessible to artists, promoters Fee: Free, Basic- $12.95/mo., Premium - to processing fee of 3% + 30 cents per through their platform. $19.95/mo. transaction. Bank may charge additional fees depending on currency and bank MUSIC CONNECTION SONICBIDS account location. (Live Reviews, New Music Critiques) Email: [email protected] Email: [email protected] Web: sonicbids.com KICKSTARTER Web: musicconnection.com/reviews/get- Services: Connects bands, music Web: kickstarter.com reviewed promoters and major brands through Services: Crowdfunding platform for Services: 12 recorded artists and 7 live an online platform. Engage new fans, creative projects. A home for film, music, performances are selected to be reviewed discover new music and find gigs. art, theater, games, comics, design, by Music Connection staff from artist Fee: Sonicbids Basic – Free, EPK Pro - photography, and more. submissions every month. $5.00, Gig-Seeker Pro - $19.99 Fees: Kickstarter fee of 5% of total funds raised in addition to payment processing REVERBNATION (CROWD SOUNDBETTER fees of 3% + 20 cents per pledge. (Pledges REVIEW) 888-734-4358 under $10 have a discounted micropledge Email: [email protected] Email: [email protected] fee of 5% + 5 cents per pledge.) Web: reverbnation.com/band-promotion/ Web: soundbetter.com crowd_review PATREON Services: Artist feedback from targeted Web: patreon.com sample, data analytics. SONG SUBMISSIONS/PLACEMENTS Services: Membership platform that provides business tools for creators to SONGU.COM MUSIC CONNECTION run a subscription content service, with Web: songu.com Web: musicconnection.com
38 April 2021 musicconnection.com MUSIC GATEWAY Collaborate with other producers. Sell Americana, Blues, Children’s Music, Email: [email protected] sound kits. Customize your own beat store Christian, Comedy/Novelty, Country, Web: musicgateway.com with the Infinity Store feature. EDM (Electronic Dance Music), Folk/ Fee: Influencer - $22/mo., Adventurer - Singer-Songwriter, Instrumental, Jazz, $7.50/year, Game Changer - $37/mo. BEATSTARS Latin Music, Lyrics Only, Music Video, Services: Music industry marketplace Web: beatstars.com Performance, Pop/Top 40, R&B/Hip-Hop, where you find music industry jobs, Fee: Free, Marketplace Plan - $9.99/mo., Rock, Teen, Unpublished, receive daily job postings worldwide, Pro Page Plan - $19.99/mo. Unsigned Only, and World Music. start collaborations, send your demo Services: Post, sell and buy beats online. Fee: $25.00 per song or category submissions and more. Create your own custom beat selling website with themes and domain with the JOHN LENNON MUSIC GORILLA Pro Page plan. Earn ad revenue when SONGWRITING CONTEST 201-796-8742 people stream your music on SoundCloud 888-884-5572 Email: [email protected] and Audiomack. Email: [email protected] Web: musicgorilla.com Web: jlsc.com/about.php Services: Submit your music to film, TV, BEAT BROKERZ Summary: The JLSC is open year-round songwriting and major label showcase 855-727-2328 and features two Sessions -- with 72 opportunities. Get heard by a wide range Web: beatbrokerz.com Finalists, 24 Grand Prize Winners, 12 of industry pros from music supervisors to Services: Buy and sell beats, hooks Lennon Award Winners and 1 “Song of internet radio hosts to major label A&R. and background tracks. Complete the Year.” The Contest is open to amateur Fee: Free to sign up. instrumentals for studio projects. and professional songwriters who submit Placements, royalty protection, license entries in any one of 12 categories. MUSIC OPPS administration and copyright assistance. Fee: $30.00 per song Web: musicopps.com Services: Music opportunities for SOUNDCLICK LEE RITENOUR’S SIX STRING independent & unsigned artists Email: [email protected] COMPETITION Web: soundclick.com Email: [email protected] MUSIC XRAY Services: Stream, download, buy and Web: sixstringtheory.com Email: [email protected] sell beats on a social media platform that Summary: The Six String Theory Web: musicxray.com includes photo albums, video uploads, Competition, hosted by Grammy®- Fee: Submission fee set by the Industry blogs and message boards. winning guitarist and producer, Lee Professional, and an additional $10.00 just Ritenour, is a biennial competition that for the first submission of that song. TRAKTRAIN accepts performer applications for guitar, Services: Submit your songs to music Web: traktrain.com bass, piano/keyboards and drums, and producers, publishers, supervisors and Services: Invitation only platform to sell, offers winners performance opportunities managers for marketing, music licensing, buy and listen to instrumentals. Paid and scholarships, as well as prizes from label roster, publishing, distribution and creative assistance and track mixing sponsors. more. Your track goes directly to the available. decision makers: no middle-men, no pre- MUSIC CITY SONGSTAR screeners, just a direct link between artist Email: [email protected] and Industry Professional. SONG COMPETITIONS Web: musiccitysongstar.com GREAT AMERICAN SONG Summary: A songwriting competition for SUBMITHUB up-and-coming writers and musicians in all Email: [email protected] CONTEST Email: [email protected] genres. Web: submithub.com Prizes: The Grand Prize winner receives Web: greatamericansong.com Services: Share songs with music money, an invitation to perform their song Summary: Open to songwriters, lyricists bloggers, record labels, radio stations, at an exclusive event and instruments. Spotify playlisters and YouTube or & music composers worldwide. This SoundCloud channels. annual event is designed for amateur and MUSIC CONNECTION semi-pro songwriters only. Individuals who Web: musicconnection.com TAXI earn over $10,000 annually from song 818-222-2464 publishing royalties are not eligible. NASHVILLE SONGWRITERS Web: taxi.com Prizes: Grand Prize Winner receives 1710 Roy Acuff Pl Services: Helps songwriters, artists, $1,000 cash in addition to a free Nashville, TN 37203 and film/TV composers get their music membership to TAXI Independent A&R, 800-321-6008 to record labels, music publishers, music free one-year Platinum Membership to Email: reception@nashvillesongwriters. supervisors and music libraries SongU.com and more. com Fee: $35 per song Web: nashvillesongwriters.com THAT PITCH Web: thatpitch.com INTERNATIONAL SONGWRITING SKIO MUSIC Fee: Monthly/$0-$39, Annual/$390 COMPETITION Web: skiomusic.com Service: Pitch unlimited music to ads and 615-251-4441 Summary: Download free stems and win major motion film. Web: songwritingcompetition.com official releases, collabs, plugins and more Summary: Annual song contest that BEAT SELLING WEBSITES provides opportunity for both aspiring SPLICE and established songwriters to have Web: splice.com/explore/contests AIRBIT their songs heard in a professional, Fee: Must sign up to Splice Sound for Web: airbit.com international arena. 71 winners will share $7.99/mo. Fee: Basic—Free , Gold—$8.33/mo., in the cash and prizes. Summary: Remix contests. Win official Premium—$16.66/mo. Categories: AAA (Adult Album releases, collabs, plugins and more. Services: Buy, sell and license tracks. Alternative), AC (Adult Contemporary),
April 2021 musicconnection.com 39 UNSIGNED ONLY MUSIC . dancers, artists, designers, and people ARTIST COLLABORATIONS COMPETITION with ideas, to collaborate with people from 615-251-4441 around the world who have the skills to AIRTABLE realize their creative idea Email: [email protected] Web: airtable.com Web: unsignedonly.com Services: Shared database/spreadsheet Summary: Unsigned Only is designed for Fee: Free or paid membership ($10/mo, DROOBLE solo artists, bands, and singers all over $24/mo.). Email: [email protected] the world who are looking for exposure, Web: drooble.com recognition, and a chance to be noticed by Services: Social media network for AUDDLY industry professionals. Open to all artists musicians with promotional features, also Email: [email protected] who are unsigned to a major record label. allows users to submit reviews of other Web: auddly.com Prizes: Grand Prizes $20,000, mastering users music for payment. Services: Allows music creators to collect services, music distribution and more. Fee: Free their song data and make it accessible Fee: $35 per song for the business side, in order to secure transparent and correct credits and FRETTIE USA SONGWRITING payments for everyone involved. Web: frettie.com COMPETITION Services: Connect with other songwriters Web: songwriting.net from around the globe. Frettie is a AUDIOBRIDGE valuable songwriting community made Summary: Open to all amateur and Web: audiobridgeapp.com professional songwriters and anyone up of students, professionals and hit Services: Mobile recording studio, tool for songwriters who are all eager to learn, regardless of nationality or origin. mobile music collaboration. Communicate Prizes: Winning songs receive radio discover, give feedback and connect with directly with your collaborators with each other. airplay. Overall Grand Prize winner dedicated chat-rooms for every session. will receive $50,000 worth of cash, Keep track of your entire history of edits in merchandise and services. Overall 2nd one place with both real-time and delayed KOMPOZ Prize winner will receive $9,000 worth of collaboration. Web: kompoz.com/music merchandise. Overall 3rd Prize winner will Services: Social network platform for receive $6,500 worth of merchandise. musicians, to share, collaborate, distribute AVID Categories: Songwriters can enter in music and crowdsource production/ Web: avid.com 15 different song categories such as: performers Services: Provides information on all- Pop, Rock/Alt, Folk, R&B, Hip-Hop, Jazz, Fee: Free or premier membership ($5/ digital solutions for capturing, creating, Instrumental, etc. mo., $10/mo., $20/mo.). editing and distributing digital media. Fee: $35.00 per song LEDO BANDLAB Web: ledomusic.is Email: [email protected] ON THE ROAD: LODGING Services: A ‘Collab-House’ platform for Web: bandlab.com music makers and content creators to AIRBNB Services: Social media network for connect and reach new audiences. 415-800-5959, 855-424-7262 musicians and fans with unlimited cloud Web: airbnb.com based storage. METAPOP Services: Find hosts with extra rooms, Fee: Free Email: [email protected] entire homes and unique accommodations. Web: metapop.com BANDMIX Services: Upload and share tracks, join COUCH SURFING 877-569-6118 communities, and enter competitions. Email: [email protected] Web: Bandmix.com Web: couchsurfing.com Services: Online classified network for MUSICIAN’S CONTACT Services: Arrange homestays, offer connecting local musicians and bands. 818-888-7879 lodging and hospitality, and join events Fee: Free or premier membership Email: [email protected] such as “Couch Crashes.” ($12.95/$17.90mo Web: musicianscontact.com Services: Connecting musicians and HOTEL TONIGHT BEATSTARS bands together for over 45 years, from Email: [email protected] Web: beatstars.com club and casual groups, to traveling Web: hoteltonight.com Services: Digital production marketplace bands, to concert and recording acts. Services: Last minute hotel deals, that allows music producers to license and discounted room rates sell beats and give away free beats. Fee: Free or Unlimited for $9.99/$19.99mo MUSIC LAUNCH HUB Web: musiclaunchhub.com INDIE ON THE MOVE Services: Global music network where Email: [email protected] BLEND working musicians and the next wave of Web: indieonthemove.com Web: blend.io music professionals, come together to Services: Show & tour booking, Music Services: Makes the process of producing better navigate their future in music. Venues Database, QuickPitch Emailing, music interactive. The social platform College & University Show Booking helps music producers share music OFFTOP Database, Bands Directory, Show projects in source format, perfect for Web: offtop.co Availabilities, Classifieds remixing, collaborating, learning from, Fee: Free, Premium - $9.99/mo. and gathering feedback from others in the Services: Mobile recording studio to global community. rap and sing over beats. Explore library PRICELINE of fresh instrumentals, record freestyle 877-477-5807 or written verses, and share your rap or DEXTRA song with the world. Web: priceline.com Web: dextra.com Services: Discount rates for travel-related Services: App for musicians, filmmakers, purchases including airline tickets, hotel actors, models, photographers, writers, PROCOLLABS stays, cars, cruises Web: procollabs.com
40 April 2021 musicconnection.com Services: online music collaboration SOUNDTRAP to covering and paying NFTs for artists service that gives you access to Web: soundtrap.com and audiences. experienced and talented songwriters, Services: Online recording studio/DAW musicians, audio engineers, and music with collaborative features, plugins/ NEXT BIG SOUND producers from all around the world. drumtracks, autotune, other audio Web: nextbigsound.com Fee: Free or premier membership ($20/ engineering features. Also educational Services: Provides online music analytics mo., $50/mo., $95/mo.). features and insights, tracking hundreds of Fee: (Free, $7.99/mo., $11.99/mo.,$13.99). thousands of artists around the world. SHOWX As part of Pandora, they deliver powerful Web: showx.io SPLICE analytics tools used by music makers, Services: Mission-driven platform that Web: splice.com labels and marketers looking for data and creates a forum through which artists can Services: Musicians use Splice to find insights about artists and their fans. network, collaborate, co-promote and create sounds, get gear, enter contests, discover with the goal of empowering careers. projects and connect with one another. SONGTRUST Web: songtrust.com SLACK STUDIOTRAXX Services: World’s largest global royalty Web: slack.com Web: Studiotraxx.com collection service, Songtrust streamlines Services: Collaborative hub for work Services: Provides instant access to a the music publishing administration of colleagues with features such as vast global network of musicians-for-hire 1,000,000+ songs. messaging, file sharing, screen sharing, who are ready to work and collaborate via searchable history, and integration the web. Private collaboration areas are SOUNDCHARTS with other filesharing/messenger apps. also available to those who don’t need to Organizes conversations between work find and hire musicians but simply need Web: soundcharts.com colleagues into streamlined layout. an efficient way to manage files across Services: A full-stack solution (database, Fee: Free or paid membership ($6.67/mo., partners. desktop, mobile apps & API) that brings $12.50/mo.). together real-time and historical music TULLY consumption data, (social, charts, playlist, SONGSALIVE! Web: tullyapp.com airplay monitoring) to improve project Web: songsalive.org Services: Recording artists and management, reporting and artist scouting. Services: Largest global songwriters songwriters can play, write, and record squad. A non-profit organization song ideas all within one application. supporting, promoting and educating ONLINE INSTRUCTION Artists can share their projects with their songwriters and composers worldwide. engineer before studio sessions, allowing ARI’S TAKE ACADEMY instant access to the audio file, lyric sheet, Web: aristakeacademy.com SONGSPACE and recording ideas. When using Tully, all Services: Multiple individual courses Web: songspace.com your files are organized and stored to the available, created by indie musician and Services: Helps music creators and music business author Ari Herstand. publishers collaborate, pitch, track and cloud, keeping all your creative work safe in one location. Courses range from topics such as share song projects and playlists. - managing tours to streaming and social Fee: Creator - $8/mo., Business - $15/ media growth. mo.- Plus - $28/mo VAMPR Email: [email protected] Web: vampr.me BERKLEE COLLEGE OF MUSIC SONGTOWN Web: bit.ly/3c2FMPw Web: songtown.com Services: App that helps you discover, connect and collaborate with fellow Services: Multiple online degree and Services: A virtual music “town” where certificate programs. Interactive 12-week creative people gather to be encouraged, musicians, the music industry and music lovers alike. courses. World-renowned faculty and educated and inspired. Writers of all collaboration with classmates. genres, from all over the world come to SongTown to find other creative co- VOCALIZR writers, to learn how to improve their craft Web: vocalizr.com FILM MUSIC INSTITUTE from #1 hit songwriters and publishers, Services: Created to connect professional Web: filmmusicinstitute.com and to be mentored by successful music singers and producers world-wide. Services: Offers state of the art industry pros. Community of producers looking for talent. professional education courses designed Fee: Platinum Annual Plan $197 per Fee: Free or Pro Membership ($9/mo). specifically for film and television music year, Diamond Fast Track $649 per year, professionals that deliver practical skills monthly membership for $24.99/mo. and focus on improving your musical and MUSIC SALES TRACKING music business skills. Training is detailed and comprehensive, SONGWRITER LINK CHARTMETRIC and our instructors are some of the best Web: songwriterlink.com Web: chartmetric.io Services: Songwriting collaboration in the business. Online courses can be Services: Music data analytics company. website that makes finding the perfect accessed from anywhere 24/7 so you can They combine hundreds of thousands co-writer faster than before. It’s the get the training you need and the skills of real-time data points across iTunes, only website that uses matching engine you want in a setting that’s right for you— Spotify, Youtube, Google, Facebook, technology––the same kind that dating on your terms, and including full access to Twitter, and Instagram in order to make websites use––to help find you exactly the your instructors for any questions. type of songwriters you’re looking. sense of the increasingly complex landscape of the music industry. LESSONS.COM SOUNDSTORMING Web: lessons.com Web: soundstorming.com CRYPTO.COM Services: Helps musicians to connect, Web: crypto.com MELOPHY collaborate and promote themselves using Services: Crypto.com is a cryptocurrency Web: melophy.com their musical ideas, riffs and fragments. tracking app, and has recently expanded
April 2021 musicconnection.com 41 Services: Melophy is a teaching site by watching streams, you’ll also see people largest CD, DVD, and Blu-ray artists for artists to organize calendars, join, leave hearts, comment in real time, manufacturer for independent musicians, live lesson streams to individual and and more. filmmakers, and businesses. They offer groups of students, and schedule virtual duplication, replication, printing, graphic performances, all while promoting artists’ STAGEIT design, audio mastering, DVD authoring, music. Web: stageit.com worldwide distribution and more. Services: Artists perform live, online MUSICIANS INSTITUTE shows from their laptop that are FIVERR Web: mi.edu/programs/mi-online never recorded or archived. Fans are Web: fiverr.com Services: Access to acclaimed curriculum encouraged to ask the artist questions, Services: Online marketplace for and supportive interactive course content. request songs, and even chat with other freelance services including digital Certificates in guitar performance and fans during the show. Virtual tip jar marketing, graphic design, music, audio artist/entrepreneur/production and available on every show. and more. Associate degrees in guitar performance and music business. TWITCH KILLERMERCH.COM Web: twitch.tv Web: killermerch.com Services: Site primarily focuses on video Services: Full-service branding MUSIC CREDITS DATABASES game live streaming, including broadcasts agency, global merchandising, product DISCOGS of eSports competitions, in addition to development Web: discogs.com music broadcasts, creative content, Services: Discover new music. Track your and more recently, “in real life” streams. MERCHCAT collection and wantlist. Contribute to the Content on the site can be viewed either Email: [email protected] database. live or via video on demand. Web: merchcat.com Services: Merch sales, inventory GENIUS YOUKNOW management, track payments and get Web: genius.com Web: younow.com real-time reports. Services: Wide collection of song lyrics Services: Discover talented broadcasters, and musical knowledge. watch live streams and video chat live with MERCH.LY people from around the world. 866-522-4012 MUSICBRAINZ Web: merch.ly Services: Custom t-shirts, hoodies, bags Web: musicbrainz.org T-SHIRTS & MORE: MERCH & MANUFACTURING Services: Open music encyclopedia and more customized with your band logo that collects music metadata and makes 9 CAFEPRESS or design, all at affordable prices. it available to the public. MusicBrainz 877-809-1659 captures information about artists, their Web: cafepress.com PRINTFUL recorded works, and the relationships Services: Create and sell your 818-351-7181 between them. personalized designs on t-shirts, bags, Email: [email protected] mugs, posters and many more unique Web: printful.com gifts. Services: On-Demand order fulfillment TOUR DATES CALENDAR and warehousing service that fulfills BANDS ON A BUDGET and ships products including clothing, BANDSINTOWN accessories, and home & living items for Email: [email protected] Web: BandsonaBudget.com 866-471-3868 online businesses. It’s free to set up, with Web: bandsintown.com no monthly fees or minimum order. Services: Music website billed as Services: Prints custom merchandise for a “platform where artists and fans all types of businesses and brands, with a large majority of its customers being REDBUBBLE connect.” The site allows users to receive Web: redbubble.com notifications about tours and bands up-and-coming musicians. With products varying from shirts to stickers, banners to Services: Global online marketplace for playing in the user’s area. It also has tools print-on-demand products based on user- for artists to manage tour dates. tour posters, BandsonaBudget.com can help you cover all of your bases in one submitted artwork. shot, eliminating the need to deal with a SONGKICK different company for each item you want. RUSHORDERTEES Web: songkick.com 2727 Commerce Way Services: Provides concert discovery BIG CARTEL Philadelphia, PA 19154 services and ticket sales for live music 800-620-1233 events. Web: bigcartel.com Services: Build a unique online store, sell Web: rushordertees.com your work, and run a creative business. Email: [email protected] LIVE STREAMING Perfect for clothing designers, bands, Services: Screen printing, embroidery, jewelry makers, crafters, and other artists. rush t-shirt delivery PAARTI Web: paarti.live SHOPIFY Services: Provides a venue-like CUSTOM INK 800-293-4232 Web: shopify.com experience for users, merging Services: Shopify is a commerce platform livestreaming and social networking. Web: customink.com Services: American-based online retail that allows anyone to easily sell online, company that makes custom apparel such at a retail location and everywhere in PERISCOPE as T-shirts and sweatshirts. between. Shopify offers a professional Web: pscp.tv online storefront, a payment solution to Services: Offers live broadcasts with a DISC MAKERS accept credit cards, and the Shopify POS twist—the ability to replay them at any Email: [email protected] application to power retail sales. time. Every video comes to life with a Web: discmakers.com Fee: Basic Shopify - $29/mo., Shopify - league of integrated social features: while Services: Disc Makers is the world’s $79 /mo., Advanced Shopify - $299/mo.
42 April 2021 musicconnection.com SPREADSHOP CD BABY Services: A simple music rights search 800-381-0815 800-289-6923 engine designed with music licensing & Email: [email protected] Web: cdbaby.com synchronization professionals in mind. Web: spreadshop.com Services: Digital distribution, YouTube Services: Create and sell custom mercha- monetization, sync licensing, publishing SONGTRADR ndise on your own online shop for free. administration, CD & vinyl sales 424-744-8190 Email: [email protected] SQUARE DISTROKID Web: songtradr.com Web: squareup.com/us/en Email: [email protected] Services: Free sign-up, online music Services: Financial services, merchant Web: distrokid.com licensing, free submission to music services aggregator, and mobile payment Services: Distribute cover songs legally, licensing opportunities, unlimited music company get paid when other people use your music storage, non-exclusive licensing. 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Record Services: Video distribution, Services: The world’s largest marketplace label services including PR, social media publishing administration, neighboring for independent creators to sell their work and playlist pitching to independent artists. rights, marketing, video marketing, on the highest-quality merchandise sync licensing, web and graphic LANDR design, YouTube “website monetization” and SoundCloud monetization. VISTAPRINT Email: [email protected] 866-614-8002 Web: landr.com Web: vistaprint.com Services: AL mastering, collaboration SYNC SONGWRITER Services: Design and order custom workflows, artist-friendly distribution, Web: syncsongwriter.com printed marketing materials, signage, promotion tools, free samples, stats. Services: Selectively licenses music with t-shirts, hats, pens Fee: $48/yr/$108/yr$299yr licensing agent. The goal of the site is to teach you how to get your songs into TV YETI PRINTSHOP + DESIGN OCTIIVE & film. 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