Your best promoters are already in your audience. A street team gives them a name, a role, and a plan. Here is how to recruit, run, and reward one in 2026.
Learn how to recruit, manage, and incentivize a street team to promote your music at the grassroots level. Covers digital and physical tactics, task ideas, management tools, and how to measure results in 2026.
A fan contest is not a bribe. It is a reason for people to make something with your music in it. Here is how to plan and run one that actually builds your fanbase.
No streams, no email list, no social proof. Here is how to build a real music fanbase from scratch in 2026, starting with 100 true fans and a 90-day action plan.
AWAL is a UK-based digital music distributor founded in 1997, owned by Sony Music Entertainment since 2021. Charges 15% commission at its Core tier with no upfront fee. Application-based and selective (accepts approximately 10% of applicants). Offers label-level services including marketing, sync licensing, radio, and funding. Best for established artists with demonstrated traction, not day-one releases.
Believe is a French music distribution company founded in 2005 by Denis Ladegaillerie, headquartered in Paris. Publicly traded on Euronext Paris. One of the world's largest music distribution companies with offices in 50+ countries and distribution to 100+ streaming platforms worldwide. Holds #1 position in Apple and Spotify Preferred Partner Program. Three divisions: Believe Label and Artist Solutions (for labels), Believe Artist Services (bespoke for top artists), and TuneCore (DIY self-service). Offers audio and video distribution, audience development, music publishing, sync licensing, financial support and royalty advances, marketing strategies, and A&R. Custom deals with no public pricing for Believe services. Not open-signup for Believe services (use TuneCore for DIY). Acquired TuneCore. Best for established labels and artists who need full-service distribution and marketing support.
Downtown Artist & Label Services is a US-based full-service music distribution and marketing company, part of Downtown Music Holdings. Now part of Virgin Music Group alongside FUGA, CD Baby, Ingrooves, and Songtrust after Universal Music Group acquired Downtown Music Holdings for $775M in February 2026. Offers distribution, bespoke marketing solutions, project management, and funding for entrepreneurial artists, labels, and their partners. Artists retain ownership of masters and full creative control. Provides white-glove distribution, DSP promotion, account management, hands-on A&R support, enhanced analytics, split pay, and complete audio and video asset management. Preferred partner status at all key DSPs. Not open-signup. Curated roster with application required. No public pricing. Downtown Music Holdings serves 1.7 million clients in 145+ countries with 23 million music assets in catalog. Best for established artists and labels seeking white-glove service with global reach.
