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 difficult for an unknown artist to stand out in a platform with millions of other artists.

Digital music stores such as iTunes, Bandcamp, and Amazon Music offer another avenue for online distribution. These platforms allow users to buy and download tracks, or entire albums. iTunes and Amazon pay the artist per download, while Bandcamp offers a unique platform where the artist can set their prices, and where the user has greater control over their artist page, as well as the options of selling physical goods in addition to digital tracks. One of the main advantages of these platforms is the higher payout per download than what is offered in streaming services. Bandcamp is very popular among independent musicians as it allows them to control their brand and to communicate directly with their fanbase. These platforms also offer ways for fans to support a band directly. However, digital music stores often require upfront fees or commissions, and they do not offer as much exposure as streaming platforms. Also, fewer listeners are buying music online than using streaming services, which can limit the audience reach. Digital stores are still a good option, as they tend to give artists more control.

Direct-to-fan platforms, such as Patreon and Ko-fi, allow bands to connect with their fans and offer exclusive content for a monthly fee or a one-off payment. Patreon allows artists to create tiers of subscriptions for exclusive content, while Ko-fi offers more of a tipping system. These platforms are great for building and sustaining a loyal fanbase, as they allow the user to engage directly with their most enthusiastic listeners. They also offer a reliable income stream, providing more stability than what streaming platforms offer. However, these platforms rely on a strong social media presence and a strong engagement with the fanbase, which can require significant time and effort. Also, these platforms tend to work best for bands that already have a dedicated fan base, and usually are not as effective in gaining new listeners. It can also be time consuming and requires some skill to engage properly with a community.

Finally, social media platforms such as Instagram, TikTok, and YouTube can be used to distribute music and to connect with audiences. Bands can use these platforms to share snippets of their music, promote new releases, and interact with their fans. Social media is also a very important tool for growing your fanbase. The advantage of social media is that it's usually free to use, and has a very wide reach. However, it often requires constant engagement, and algorithm changes can drastically affect how well a post will do. While social media is important for reaching new audiences, it is also often hard to convert followers into fans that will listen to or purchase music. Also, the market for independent musicians on these platforms is incredibly saturated.

In summary, each method of online music distribution offers different benefits and drawbacks. A well rounded approach is to utilize all of these tools by distributing music in streaming platforms, while also selling tracks in digital music stores like Bandcamp, while also maintaining a strong direct-to-fan platform and social media presence.