getting a distribition deal?

**DJ D-rek** · 12-25-2005

Can anyone tell me what is the best way to get a distribition deal?

**DS781** · 12-25-2005

The best way is to take the indie route and let the majors come to you. They pay attention to sound scan numbers.

**DJ D-rek** · 12-26-2005

that dont make sence.. if they never herd of you, how will they come to you? i doubt they gonna go online lookin for indie labels that need distribution deals and just hand em out... anyone else know how? do i need to send them a business plan and show them that my music sales or soemthing? someone please give me more info thanks

**DS781** · 12-26-2005

Originally posted by DJ D-rek
that dont make sence.. if they never herd of you, how will they come to you? i doubt they gonna go online lookin for indie labels that need distribution deals and just hand em out... anyone else know how? do i need to send them a business plan and show them that my music sales or soemthing? someone please give me more info thanks

What!!!!!!!!!!
How in the Hell does that not make since?
Take the indie route. Sell the cds in stores yourself just make sure that the stores report your numbers to soundscan. Major pay attention to who is moving units. The don't give a damn about a business plan you can get one of those printed up with the right software. Proving that you already are moving units, already have a fan base is how indie labels get Distribution deals. How do you think Cash Money got $30 million out of Universal? It damn sure wasn't a business plan. You must be new not to know what I was talking about. do a search on labels like that. Not unless you got some strong ties to the majors it will be an uphill battle.

**kid848** · 12-26-2005

Originally posted by DS781

What!!!!!!!!!!
How in the Hell does that not make since?
Take the indie route. Sell the cds in stores yourself just make sure that the stores report your numbers to soundscan. Major pay attention to who is moving units. The don't give a damn about a business plan you can get one of those printed up with the right software. Proving that you already are moving units, already have a fan base is how indie labels get Distribution deals. How do you think Cash Money got $30 million out of Universal? It damn sure wasn't a business plan. You must be new not to know what I was talking about. do a search on labels like that. Not unless you got some strong ties to the majors it will be an uphill battle.

Co-sign...

But, there are plenty of indie distributors that can get your music out, not really on such a grand scale, but it'll beat hand to hand sales.

With that said, Distibution deals are kinda funny. All a distribution deal will do is get your music to the people, but unless your pour thousands and thousands of dollars into marketing... there's no point in having a distribution deal, period.

**DJ D-rek** · 12-26-2005

Originally posted by kid848

Co-sign...

But, there are plenty of indie distributors that can get your music out, not really on such a grand scale, but it'll beat hand to hand sales.

With that said, Distibution deals are kinda funny. All a distribution deal will do is get your music to the people, but unless your pour thousands and thousands of dollars into marketing... there's no point in having a distribution deal, period.

But arent there distributing and marketing deals too? i htought i herd somewhere that someone got or soemthin.. i dont know.. so basically it all takes time, so im going to have to be patient. Thank all of you guys for the help! www.TrackillaRecords.com check it out if you want.

**kid848** · 12-26-2005

Originally posted by DJ D-rek

But arent there distributing and marketing deals too? i htought i herd somewhere that someone got or soemthin.. i dont know.. so basically it all takes time, so im going to have to be patient. Thank all of you guys for the help! www.TrackillaRecords.com check it out if you want.

... There are joint ventures deals, but those are hard to come by and even then you have to pour thousands into marketing...

**DeeBlaze33** · 12-27-2005

You're thinking of what they call a P&D deal, Promotion and Distribution. In this situation, the parent label (major) handles all distribution AND promotion for the indie label. The indie label handles all music related issues, album schedules, recording, they are probably required to finish a certain number of albums per year. This is the most coveted of all deals that an indie label can get. It gives them the power of the major label, without having to give up creative control. These are the type of deals that were signed by Cash Money, No Limit etc. A distribution deal by itself is not much help to most indies, because if you look around, you can get an independent distributor to pick up your CD and get you in stores (RED, Select-O-Hits, there are plenty others.) So just getting a distro deal from a major is not that great. Most indie labels don't have problems with distribution, they have problems with the proper funds to market and promote their albums, and this is where a P&D becomes so lucrative.

**kid848** · 12-27-2005

Originally posted by DeeBlaze33
You're thinking of what they call a P&D deal, Promotion and Distribution. In this situation, the parent label (major) handles all distribution AND promotion for the indie label. The indie label handles all music related issues, album schedules, recording, they are probably required to finish a certain number of albums per year. This is the most coveted of all deals that an indie label can get. It gives them the power of the major label, without having to give up creative control. These are the type of deals that were signed by Cash Money, No Limit etc. A distribution deal by itself is not much help to most indies, because if you look around, you can get an independent distributor to pick up your CD and get you in stores (RED, Select-O-Hits, there are plenty others.) So just getting a distro deal from a major is not that great. Most indie labels don't have problems with distribution, they have problems with the proper funds to market and promote their albums, and this is where a P&D becomes so lucrative.

I believe you're mistaken... P & D deals are Pressing and Distribution deals, not Promotion and Distribution. I believe Cash Money received a Joint Venture deal where income and expenses are split right down the middle. JV's are the hardest deal to receive, but nowadays it seems like everyone is getting some kind of JV... though I'm not sure the exact breakdown of the numbers...