How to Distribute Music to Apple Music and Shopify?

As a musician, getting your music out to the world is crucial. Two popular platforms that can help you reach a wide audience are Apple Music and Shopify.

How to Put Your Music on Apple Music

Apple Music is one of the largest music streaming services globally, offering artists a massive platform to share their music. To get your music on Apple Music, follow these steps:

1. Choose a Music Distribution Service

To distribute your music on Apple Music, you'll need to work with a music distribution service. These services do the heavy lifting of getting your tracks onto multiple platforms, including Apple Music. Some popular distribution services include SoundOn, Tunecore, and DistroKid.

2. Create an Account

Start by creating an account with your chosen distribution service. For example, with SoundOn, you can quickly register as a SoundOn artist and follow their straightforward sign-up process.

3. Prepare Your Music

Ensure your music files are high-quality and properly tagged. This includes making sure all metadata (like artist name, song title, album art) is correctly filled out. High-quality artwork is also crucial as it's the first thing listeners see.

4. Upload Your Tracks

Log in to your distribution service account and upload your tracks. You'll need to provide relevant information, such as the release date, genre, and other metadata.

5. Wait for Approval

After submitting your music, the distribution service will review it and submit it to Apple Music. This process can take a few days, so be patient. Once approved, your music will be live on Apple Music!

Selling Music on Shopify

Next, let's explore how you can sell your music on Shopify, an excellent platform for artists who want to sell physical or digital products directly to their fans.

1. Set Up a Shopify Store

Start by setting up your Shopify store. Go to Shopify's website and sign up for an account. You'll need to provide some details about your store and choose a pricing plan that fits your needs.

2. Customize Your Store

Use Shopify's customization tools to design your store. Choose a theme that reflects your brand, customize the layout, and add your logo and artwork. You can also add pages with information about you and your music.

3. Add Products

Whether you're selling physical CDs, vinyl, or digital downloads, you can add your music products to Shopify. Go to the "Products" section and click "Add product." Fill in the details such as the product name, description, price, and upload your music files if you're selling digital products.

4. Set Up Payment Methods

To get paid, you need to set up payment methods. Shopify supports various payment gateways, including Shopify Payments, PayPal, and credit card payments. Choose the ones that work best for you and your customers.

5. Promote Your Store

With your store set up, it's time to promote it. Leverage social media, email marketing, and any other channels you have to drive traffic to your store. Consider running ads on platforms like Facebook and Instagram to reach a larger audience.

6. Manage Orders and Shipping

When you start receiving orders, you'll need to manage them efficiently. Shopify provides tools to help you manage orders, process payments, and handle shipping. Ensure you have a system in place to ship physical products promptly or deliver digital music files automatically.

7. Engage with Your Customers

Finally, engage with your customers to build a loyal fan base. Send thank you emails, ask for reviews, and provide excellent customer service to keep your audience coming back.

Selling music on Shopify and distributing your tracks on Apple Music are effective ways to expand your reach and grow your music career. Using these platforms strategically can help you connect with more fans and increase your income.

For efficient and seamless music distribution, consider registering as a SoundOn artist. With SoundOn's global distribution service, you can easily get your music on Apple Music and many other digital streaming platforms. Additionally, leverage exclusive partners like TikTok and CapCut to further enhance your music promotion.