5 Steps to Create a Greatest Hits Album on CD Baby

The music industry is constantly evolving, and the way people listen to music has changed dramatically in recent years. In the past, people would typically buy albums, which contained a collection of songs by a single artist. However, with the advent of digital music, people are now more likely to buy individual songs or create their own playlists. This has led to a decline in album sales, and many artists are now turning to greatest hits albums as a way to reach new fans and boost their sales. A greatest hits album is a collection of an artist’s most popular songs, and it can be a great way for new fans to get acquainted with an artist’s work. If you’re thinking about releasing a greatest hits album, there are a few things you need to keep in mind.

First, you need to decide which songs to include on the album. This can be a difficult decision, as you want to include your most popular songs, but you also want to include a variety of songs that represent your different musical styles. Once you have selected the songs, you need to decide how to sequence them. The order of the songs can make a big difference in the overall flow of the album. You want to start with a strong song that will grab the listener’s attention, and then you want to follow it up with a variety of songs that will keep the listener engaged. Finally, you need to decide on the packaging for the album. The packaging should be attractive and informative, and it should reflect the overall tone of the album.

Once you have completed these steps, you can start promoting your greatest hits album. There are a variety of ways to promote your album, including online advertising, social media, and public relations. You can also partner with other artists or businesses to cross-promote your album. With a little planning and effort, you can release a greatest hits album that will reach a wide audience and boost your sales.

Selecting the Perfect Tracks

Selecting the perfect tracks for a greatest hits album is a crucial step that requires careful consideration. Here are some key factors to keep in mind:

Chronological Order or Fan Favorites?

Decide whether you want to arrange the tracks chronologically to showcase your musical journey or focus on fan favorites that are guaranteed to resonate with your audience. Consider the narrative you want to tell with your album.

Length and Pacing

Aim for a total album length of around 60-80 minutes, allowing enough space for a diverse selection of songs. Consider the pacing of the album, alternating between upbeat and mellow tracks to keep listeners engaged.

Variety and Balance

Strive for a mix of popular singles, album cuts that showcase your range, and perhaps even a new song or two. Ensure a balance of styles and moods, representing the spectrum of your musical identity.

Fan Input

Consider soliciting input from your fans through social media or online polls. This can provide valuable insights into which songs would make the cut for a truly fan-centric greatest hits album.

Chronological	Fan Favorites
Tells a story of your musical journey	Guaranteed to resonate with the audience
May include less popular tracks	May miss out on some older classics

Curating a Cohesive Collection

The key to a successful greatest hits album is to create a cohesive collection that flows well and tells a story. This means carefully selecting the songs that will be included, as well as the order in which they will be placed. Here are some tips for curating a cohesive greatest hits album:

Consider the album’s theme and concept.

What is the overall message or theme that you want to convey with your greatest hits album? Is it a retrospective of your career, a celebration of your most popular songs, or something else? Once you have a clear idea of the album’s theme, you can start to select songs that fit within that concept.

Think about the flow of the album.

The order of the songs on your greatest hits album is important. You want to create a flow that is both engaging and satisfying. Consider the tempo, key, and mood of each song, and how they will transition from one to the next. You may also want to consider using segues or interludes to help create a smooth listening experience.

Make sure the album has a good balance of songs.

Your greatest hits album should include a mix of your most popular songs, as well as some lesser-known gems. This will help to create an album that is both familiar and fresh. You may also want to consider including a few new songs or re-recordings of old favorites.

Tip	Description
Consider the album’s theme and concept.	What is the overall message or theme that you want to convey with your greatest hits album?
Think about the flow of the album.	The order of the songs on your greatest hits album is important. You want to create a flow that is both engaging and satisfying.
Make sure the album has a good balance of songs.	Your greatest hits album should include a mix of your most popular songs, as well as some lesser-known gems.
Include a few new songs or re-recordings of old favorites.	This will help to create an album that is both familiar and fresh.

Making Your Album Available on Streaming Platforms

Now that your album is mastered and uploaded to CD Baby, it’s time to make it available to the world! CD Baby distributes your music to all major streaming platforms, including Spotify, Apple Music, and Amazon Music.

Here’s how to make sure your album is available everywhere your fans listen:

Choose your release date wisely. Pick a date when your fans are most likely to be excited about new music. Consider major holidays and promotional events that could boost visibility.
Create a high-quality album cover. Your album cover is what people will see when they browse for music, so make it eye-catching and representative of your brand.
Write an engaging album description. Tell your fans what inspired the album and what they can expect to hear. Use keywords that people might search for.
Submit your album artwork and description to CD Baby at least 4 weeks before your release date. This gives them time to review your materials and distribute your music to streaming platforms.
Promote your album on social media and other channels. Let your fans know when your album is coming out and where they can find it.
Track your album’s performance on streaming platforms. CD Baby provides detailed analytics so you can see how your music is performing and make adjustments as needed.
Monitor your album’s metadata. Make sure all the information about your album, including your artist name, album title, and track names, is correct on all streaming platforms.
Reach out to streaming platform editorial teams. Curators and playlisters on streaming platforms are always looking for new music to feature. Contact them and pitch your album for consideration.

By following these steps, you can ensure that your album is available to the widest possible audience and has the best chance of success.

Distributing Your Album Worldwide

Once you’ve created your greatest hits album on CD Baby, you’re ready to distribute it worldwide. CD Baby offers a variety of distribution options to get your music into stores, streaming services, and online retailers around the globe.

Step 1: Choose Your Distribution Channels

The first step is to choose which distribution channels you want to use. CD Baby offers distribution to a wide range of channels, including:

Physical stores (e.g., Walmart, Target, Best Buy)
Streaming services (e.g., Spotify, Apple Music, Pandora)
Online retailers (e.g., Amazon, iTunes, Google Play)

Step 2: Set Up Your Distribution

Once you’ve chosen your distribution channels, you’ll need to set up your distribution account with CD Baby. This involves providing information about your album, such as the title, artist name, and track listing.

Step 3: Submit Your Album

Once your distribution account is set up, you can submit your album for distribution. CD Baby will review your album and make sure it meets their quality standards. Once your album is approved, it will be distributed to your chosen channels.

Step 4: Track Your Sales

CD Baby provides tools to track your sales and monitor the performance of your album. You can see how many copies of your album have been sold, where it’s being sold, and how much money you’re earning.

Step 5: Get Paid

CD Baby will pay you your royalties on a monthly basis. You can choose to receive your payments via PayPal, direct deposit, or check.

Step 6: Promote Your Album

Once your album is distributed, it’s important to promote it to get the word out. You can do this by:

Creating a website or social media page for your album
Submitting your album to music blogs and review sites
Playing live shows and selling your album at gigs

Step 7: Stay Updated

The music industry is constantly changing, so it’s important to stay updated on the latest trends. CD Baby provides a variety of resources to help you keep up with the latest news and trends in the music industry.

Step 8: Get Help

If you have any questions or need help with your distribution, CD Baby’s customer support team is available to help you. You can contact them by phone, email, or live chat.

Step 9: Advanced Distribution Options for Artists

For artists who want more control over their distribution, CD Baby offers a variety of advanced distribution options. These options include:

Option	Description
UPC codes	Get your own UPC codes for your album so you can sell it through your own channels.
Custom pricing	Set your own prices for your album on different platforms.
Pre-orders	Allow fans to pre-order your album before it’s released.
Digital downloads	Sell digital downloads of your album directly from your own website.

How To Make A Greatest Hits Album On Cd Baby

To make a greatest hits album on CD Baby, you will need to follow these steps:

Create a new release on CD Baby.
Select the “Greatest Hits” album type.
Add your songs to the album.
Enter the album information, including the title, artist name, and release date.
Upload your album art.
Submit your album for approval.

Once your album has been approved, it will be available for sale on CD Baby and other online retailers.