How Do Tidal and Shazam Benefit Artists?

In today's digital age, music distribution and promotion have become more accessible than ever. With platforms like Tidal and Shazam, artists can reach a global audience and gain valuable insights into their music’s performance. This article delves into how these platforms work and the benefits they offer to artists. Whether you're an emerging artist or an established name in the industry, understanding these tools is essential for maximizing your music's potential.

What is Tidal?

Tidal is a subscription-based music streaming service that offers high-fidelity sound quality, high-definition music videos, and curated editorial content. Launched in 2014, Tidal has positioned itself as a premium streaming service, aiming to provide a unique and rich audio experience to its users. It boasts a vast library of over 80 million tracks and 250,000 videos, making it a valuable platform for music lovers and artists alike.

Benefits of Tidal for Artists

Tidal offers several benefits to artists, making it an attractive platform for music distribution:

• High-Fidelity Audio: Tidal provides lossless audio quality, which ensures that the music is heard as the artist intended, preserving the nuances and richness of the sound.
• Artist-Owned: As part of a collective owned by artists, Tidal places a significant emphasis on fair compensation and transparency, ensuring that artists receive a higher percentage of royalties.
• Exclusive Content: Tidal often features exclusive content, such as early releases, special editions, and artist interviews, providing unique promotional opportunities for artists.
• Curated Playlists: The platform’s curated playlists, created by experts, help artists get discovered by new listeners and enhance their visibility.

Understanding Shazam

Shazam is a music recognition app that allows users to identify songs by listening to a short sample. Founded in 1999, Shazam has become an essential tool for music discovery, with millions of users worldwide. The app provides details about the identified song, including the title, artist, album, and links to streaming services where the song can be played.

Benefits of Shazam for Artists

Shazam offers various advantages to artists looking to expand their reach and understand their audience:

• Music Discovery: Being identified on Shazam can lead to increased recognition and discoverability, as users often look for new music through the app.
• Analytics: Shazam provides detailed analytics that help artists understand where and how their music is being discovered, offering insights into listener demographics and trends.
• Integration with Streaming Services: Shazam links directly to popular streaming services like Apple Music and Spotify, allowing users to easily listen to the full track, driving more streams and potential fans.
• Promotion: Featuring prominently on Shazam's charts can significantly boost an artist’s visibility, leading to higher engagement and streaming numbers.

Combining Tidal and Shazam for Maximum Impact

While Tidal and Shazam serve different primary functions, using them together can amplify an artist’s promotional strategy. Artists can leverage the high-fidelity streaming and exclusive content features of Tidal to create a premium listening experience, while using Shazam’s robust discovery and analytics tools to reach new audiences and gain valuable insights.

Here are some strategies for using Tidal and Shazam together:

• Cross-Promotion: Promote your Shazam presence on Tidal by including links or mentions in your artist bio, playlists, or exclusive content. Conversely, promote your Tidal tracks within your Shazam profile.
• Exclusive Releases: Utilize Tidal’s platform for exclusive releases and early access to new music. Encourage your fans to Shazam these tracks to boost visibility and discoverability.
• Data-Driven Decisions: Use Shazam’s analytics to identify which of your tracks are gaining traction and tailor your Tidal promotions accordingly, ensuring that you’re investing in the songs already resonating with listeners.

Enhancing Your Music Career with SoundOn

Beyond just Tidal and Shazam, SoundOn offers an all-in-one platform for marketing and distribution, helping artists build a career and find new fans through TikTok, SoundOn, and other digital streaming platforms. Artists can benefit from SoundOn’s global distribution service, which extends their reach across multiple channels and increases the chances of getting playlisted on popular DSPs.

To fully leverage the opportunities offered by digital streaming and music discovery, consider registering as a SoundOn artist. Sign up here for a comprehensive solution that supports your music career every step of the way.

Conclusion

Both Tidal and Shazam offer unique and valuable tools for artists in the digital age. By understanding how to use these platforms effectively, musicians can enhance their discoverability, engage with new audiences, and ultimately, grow their music careers. Leveraging these platforms alongside SoundOn’s comprehensive services can provide a holistic approach to music distribution and promotion, ensuring that artists have the best chance at success in a competitive industry.