But here’s the hard truth professionals learn quickly: You just pay with something other than money.
This post is written from the perspective of an independent musician or music blogger, balancing the pros and cons of the "free" route versus traditional paid distribution. So you want to publish your music online without spending a dime? read the profession of publishing music online free
Start with a free distributor for your first 3 singles. Learn the workflow. Build an audience. Then, before your first EP, invest in a paid distributor. Read every term sheet. And never, ever publish without registering with your local PRO (BMI, ASCAP, PRS) first—that part is always free. Have you gone the free route? What was your experience with hidden fees or royalty delays? Drop your story below—let’s learn from each other’s fine print. But here’s the hard truth professionals learn quickly: