What are the main methods and resources a band can utilize to independently distribute their music online, and what are the pros and cons of each method?

Independent bands have a wide range of options for distributing their music online, each with its own set of advantages and disadvantages. These methods can broadly be categorized into streaming platforms, digital music stores, direct-to-fan platforms, and social media distribution. Each approach requires a different amount of effort, offers a different reach, and provides different financial outcomes. Streaming platforms like Spotify, Apple Music, Amazon Music, and YouTube Music are essential for reaching a broad audience. These services operate on a subscription model, paying artists based on the number of streams they receive. The main advantage of using these platforms is their vast user base, offering a considerable potential reach for any artist. They are very user-friendly for listeners, and provide a seamless way to discover new music, which can help bands get their music out to a new audience. The cons of streaming platforms is that they pay artists very little per stream, making it very hard to make a substantial amount of money. To get your music onto these platforms, a band usually has to go through a third-party distributor, like Distrokid or CD Baby, which usually costs money. These platforms also have no guarantee of visibility, and the user has very little control over the way that their music is promoted within the platform. It can be extremely difficu....