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November 3, 2024 • 6 mins read
Getting your music on major platforms like Spotify, Apple Music, Tidal, and others is a critical step for any emerging artist. These Digital Streaming Platforms (DSPs) offer you the chance to reach global audiences, build a fanbase, and generate income from your music. But how exactly do you get your music distributed across these platforms? In this blog, we’ll break down everything you need to know about music distribution, the steps involved, and the services you can use to get your tracks out there.
Music distribution is the process of getting your music from you (the artist) to digital platforms where it can be streamed, downloaded, or purchased. In the past, distribution meant getting physical copies of your music into record stores. Now, it’s all about getting your music on DSPs like Spotify, Apple Music, Amazon Music, YouTube Music, and others.
You need a music distributor or an aggregator to act as the middleman between you and the DSPs. These distributors help ensure your music is available worldwide on as many platforms as possible, all while collecting royalties for streams and downloads.
Prepare Your Music for Distribution Before you even think about distribution, your music needs to be ready for the world. This means having high-quality, professionally produced tracks. The better your music sounds, the more likely it is to resonate with listeners on DSPs. Here are some key things to do:
Choose the Right Music Distributor Once your music is ready, the next step is selecting a music distributor. Distributors work with major DSPs and will upload your music for you, ensuring it appears on platforms like Spotify, Apple Music, and others. Here are some of the most popular distributors, including an option you might already be familiar with:
Upload Your Music and Metadata Once you’ve chosen a distributor, it’s time to upload your music. This process varies slightly between distributors, but generally, you’ll need to:
Set Your Release Date Planning your release date is crucial. Most DSPs allow artists to choose a release date in advance, which is important for building anticipation. If you’re planning a big promotional push around your release, or if you’re pitching to Spotify editorial playlists, having a future release date can give you time to promote and gather pre-saves.
Choose Your Monetization Options When distributing your music, you’ll also be able to choose how to monetize it. This includes:
Promote Your Release Your music is distributed – now what? Promotion is key to driving streams and gaining visibility on DSPs. Here’s how to make the most of your release:
Track Your Performance with Analytics Most major DSPs provide analytics tools for artists. These tools allow you to track your streams, listener demographics, and more. Pay attention to these metrics to gauge what’s working and what isn’t.
Navigating music distribution may seem complicated at first, but once you understand the process, it becomes a vital part of getting your music in front of the right people. By preparing your tracks properly, choosing the right distributor, and promoting your release strategically, you can maximize your chances of success on DSPs. The key is to stay consistent and proactive—keep releasing music, engaging with your audience, and using the tools available to grow your music career.
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