Why going for a bigger share isn't always the best move

In the music industry, the pursuit of a bigger share of the pie has often been the driving force behind artists and labels. While it's natural to aim for more significant rewards for your hard work, it's crucial to remember that blindly chasing a larger piece of the pie isn't always the best move. In this article, we'll explore why striving for a bigger share should be accompanied by careful consideration of factors like partner equality, shared interests, fair splits, and the importance of music distribution platforms as communication hubs.

Equality among partners

One fundamental aspect of a successful music career is the relationships you build along the way. Whether you're an artist collaborating with a producer or a label partnering with a musician, it's essential to put partners on equal footing. When one side tries to dominate the partnership, it can lead to conflicts, lack of trust, and ultimately harm the project's success. True collaboration requires mutual respect and shared decision-making power.

Shared interests

In the music industry, having shared interests and goals is vital for long-term success. It's not just about extracting the maximum profit from every project but about aligning your interests with those of your collaborators. When both parties genuinely care about the music's quality, its impact, and the audience's experience, it can lead to more fruitful and enduring partnerships.

Fair splits

The division of revenue and royalties is often a contentious issue in the music industry. Artists, producers, and labels may be tempted to demand a more significant share for themselves, but this approach can backfire. Fair splits ensure that all parties involved are motivated and invested in the project's success. It also builds trust and goodwill among collaborators, which can lead to future opportunities and a better industry reputation.

Reputation and relationships

In the music industry, reputation and relationships are often as valuable as financial success. Artists and labels known for fair dealings and collaboration are more likely to attract top talent and exciting projects. Burning bridges by relentlessly pursuing a bigger share can have long-lasting negative consequences.

The role of music distribution

Music distributors are like key players in today's music scene. They provide artists and labels with the essential tools to release their music effectively. While most of them take a cut of the earnings, it's important to realize that they offer vital services like getting your music out worldwide, analyzing data, and serving as go-betweens with streaming and download platforms.
It's worth emphasizing that assessing the quality of a distribution platform should encompass more than just their financial terms. Equally vital is the principle of an equal treatment among partners and a keen recognition of the substantial value they bring to an artist's or label's music career. That’s also why we at dig dis! have always relied on solely participating on the revenue share of our labels, meaning that we only make money when our partners make money. This also ensures that we, as a distributor, actually are prioritizing our label's catalog when distributing and communicating to platforms in order to generate revenue.

While aiming for a bigger share in the music industry is understandable, it's crucial to do so with a balanced approach. Equal partnerships, shared interests, fair splits, and recognizing the value of music distribution platforms should always be at the forefront of decision-making. By prioritizing healthy collaborations, sustainable growth, and acknowledging the vital role of distribution, you can achieve success in the music industry that goes beyond financial gains, leaving a positive impact and fostering enduring relationships along the way.