AFEM and CI have joined forces to develop a comprehensive guide on "Meta Data Best Practices," which offers invaluable insights and guidance for musicians and creators.
Understanding the Significance of the Meta Data Best Practices Guide:
Though often overlooked by musicians, metadata plays a critical role in the music industry. It is essential for artists to grasp why accurately entering metadata before distribution matters so much.
In the context of Eclipse Distro, any information provided during album upload and registration is considered metadata. Put simply, metadata comprises data that describes and provides information about other data.
According to AFEM, grasping metadata is pivotal to gaining visibility among fans and getting compensated by broadcasters, streaming platforms, and stores. The newly introduced guide aims to ensure that every stream, play, and download is duly accounted for.
The Vital Importance of Metadata
Once you release your music into the world, it becomes a permanent presence. Whether it is accessed legally or unlawfully, through downloads or streams, it can traverse the globe in mere moments. Several countries, including the US, have regulations in place to govern the commercial use of music. However, without proper song identification and verification using metadata, this process can be quite inaccurate.
You might have noticed that when a sale occurs, your release information automatically appears in iTunes. Similarly, streams from Spotify and sales from Amazon are both reflected in your Symphonic account. Additionally, all registered songwriters receive compensation from a PRO (Performance Rights Organization) when their music is licensed. Metadata lies at the core of all these instances. Without metadata, none of these operations would be possible, which means you might miss out on rightful royalty payments for the commercial use of your music.
Releasing music without accurate metadata is akin to submitting a book report without signing your name. It not only deprives you of royalties, sales, and play counts but also denies you well-deserved recognition for your hard work.
Tomas Paliūnas from CI emphasizes their vast experience in the digital music market spanning over fifteen years. CI has accumulated extensive knowledge and expertise in the independent music market, particularly concerning digital music and metadata. They are delighted to collaborate with AFEM and share some of the most effective metadata management practices, with the ultimate goal of supporting the dance music community and ensuring its thriving presence in the digital landscape.
To download the guide, click here
