As an artist/band, we understand how vital it is for you to get your music out into the world. Music distribution helps to grow your fan base and following, and gives you the confidence to keep making music.
Pandora Radio is a great option for you, as it has quickly become a go-to place to discover new music. It boasts an incredible amount of active users (there are over 81 million!) Pandora Radio allows you to personalise your music experience by customising your own station based on your favourite artists and preferred musical genres.
As you can see, it is extremely worthwhile to have your music played on this service, as there are a huge number of listeners just waiting for new music! In this article, we will explain everything you need to know about how to get your music on Pandora, as it can be extremely beneficial to furthering your music career.
What Is Pandora Radio?
So, what actually is Pandora Radio?
Well, it is a leading podcast and discovery platform in the US, and is also the largest streaming music provider in the U.S. The service allows users to give feedback on the songs that they have heard. They can give a thumbs up or down depending on how they felt about the music.
This is how playlists become personalised for the users. It removes the need for relentlessly searching the web, different radio clips and YouTube to discover new music. This is why it is so popular with users, as it is practical and easy to use.
This, in turn, is a positive for you artists and bands out there, as users are hungry for new music content from the genres that they enjoy listening to. Pandora Radio is accessible through a mobile app or web browser, meaning that people can access it on the go, as well as from the comfort of their own homes.
Pandora Music site utilises a programme called the Music Genome Project that organises 450 attributes assigned to each song, combined with a human-curated database of music.
What Services Does Pandora Music Offer?
So what kind of services does Pandora Music online offer artists and bands? Well, it offers three separate listening services, and it is really important that you understand the differences between them.
Pandora Radio
First up is Pandora Radio – a non-interactive streaming radio service. Therefore, users are not able to choose exactly the music they want to listen to, but they can alter their experience with the service by setting their preferences through the genre, their tastes or similar bands.
Pandora Premium
Next up, we have Pandora Premium – a subscription-based service. Pandora Premium is classed as an interactive streaming service, and if you are familiar with streaming services like Apple Music, iTunes or Spotify (and you likely are if you are here), then you will be able to notice the similarities.
Pandora Plus
Finally, we come to a service called Pandora Plus. As you have probably already guessed from the name, it is an enhanced version of the service. Users will have to pay about $4.99 per month to gain access to this.
The Pandora Plus has no adverts to interrupt the musical flow, and users can skip songs they don’t like an unlimited amount of times as well as replay the music that they love. What’s more, the audio is of higher quality, and there is also an option to listen to radio stations when they are offline.
Now, this is why it’s important for artists to know the difference between these services because they all pay different types of royalty payments. Pandora also differs in how they pay artists according to how your music has been added to Pandora Radio’s music catalogue.
How To Get Your Music On Pandora Radio
There are two different ways you can submit music to Pandora. You can either use a distributor, or choose not to.
The team at the station is always searching for independent artists/bands self-released music in a variety of ways. They monitor charts, data, blogs, release schedules, and the listening preferences of Pandora Radio users.
Pandora Music online actually has their own open online submission system that lets artists submit both their singles and albums. Pandora staff ensure they listen to every single submission, and if it is what they are looking for, they will approve your submission.
The online submission process is super simple, and a great way of putting your music out there. Even if you are using a distributor, such as CD Baby, your music can still be part of the Pandora Premium section.
If You Are Using A Distributor
- If your music is accepted, it will be available on all of Pandora Radio’s music channels and services.
- Your share of royalties that you make from Pandora Radio will be paid to you through SoundExchange. However, all other royalty payments will be given to you through your chosen distributor.
- Using the online submission form will hopefully increase your visibility to the musicologists at Pandora Radio, and in turn increase your chances of your music being chosen to be used on their service.
If You Are Not Using A Distributor
- The online submission method is the best way to submit music to Pandora, and increases your chances of being selected to appear on their services.
- If your music gets accepted, remember that your music will just be available via Pandora’s Radio service. Also, all of the royalties you earn will be paid through SoundExchange.
A Step-By-Step Guide
Here is our quick step-by-step guide to how to get your music on Pandora.
Our first tip is to check that you own all of the rights to your work. If you wrote the song and own the composition, you have the right to publish and collect royalties from it.
Next, you should ensure your music is available on platforms such as Spotify, Amazon Music, and iTunes. That way, you are telling Pandora that your music is already on legitimate streaming sites.
Then, all you need to do is create a Pandora account and head to the ‘Submit Your Music’ page. Here, you can type in all of the details surrounding your submission.
These include your band/artist name, links to your bio and website, and links to your songs on streaming sites (as well as the release information).
Then, all you need to do is verify your submission and wait patiently for their decision! Your wait time can vary. Some artists/bands have had their music approved the same day, whereas for others it can take weeks or months. Just try and be patient!
So, what happens next? Pandora Music site will buy your submission from the sites you have your music published on, if you are successful. Your music will also be added to the Pandora Radio library straight away if you have gone through CD Baby.
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Final Thoughts
So, there we have it, a guide on how to get your music on Pandora Radio. As you have seen, it is super easy to do!
There are many benefits to submitting your music and having it played on Pandora Radio, such as getting your music listened to by a whole new crowd who enjoy your genre.
This then gives you the opportunity to grow your fan base. These new fans may want to buy your CD’s, or come to your next concert or livestream. Plus, they will hopefully recommend your music to their friends and family!
The other obvious benefit is the money that you can make from your royalties. These royalties can then be put to good use for your career by making things such as flyers, posters and T-shirts or maybe paying for a photoshoot.
For independent bands/artists being played on Pandora Radio, it means that you don’t have to spend a ton on radio promotion and music promotion.
Just remember – if you want your music to be played on Pandora Premium and Pandora Plus, then you will need to submit your music via a distributor. If your music does not get accepted, don’t be disheartened!
Just keep creating your music and doing what you love, and eventually, you will be successful. So, what are you waiting for? Submit your music to Pandora Radio today and make the most of the fantastic exposure!
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