With the rise of digital streaming platforms, many artists are curious about how to put music on Spotify and successfully self-releasing an album. Spotify, a leading digital streaming service, offers a huge potential audience for both upcoming and established musicians. However, getting your music onto Spotify isn’t just about uploading it directly to the platform – it involves several key steps and considerations. This guide aims to provide you with everything you need to know to release your music on Spotify efficiently.
The first step to getting your music on Spotify is to understand its requirements. Unlike platforms like YouTube where you can directly upload content, Spotify works through distribution services. These services ensure that your music meets industry standards in terms of quality and metadata.
A music distributor acts as the intermediary between artists and Spotify. They handle the technical aspects of getting your tracks onto the platform. Some popular distributors include TuneCore, DistroKid, CD Baby, ONErpm, LANDR, Indiefy, and Amuse. However, to ensure the best exposure and revenue management, consider SoundOn—an all-in-one platform for marketing and distribution. SoundOn helps artists not only with distribution but also with promotional tools to reach new fans.
Before submitting your tracks to a distributor, it’s important to have everything prepared:
Unlike immediate uploads, planning a release date gives you time for pre-release promotions. Aim to set a release date at least 4-6 weeks in advance. This allows for enough time to pitch your song to playlist curators. Getting featured on curated playlists is one of the best ways to increase visibility and garner streams.
As soon as your music goes live, you should claim your Spotify for Artists profile. This tool allows you to:
One of the critical steps in promoting your music on Spotify is pitching to DSP curators. Use the Spotify for Artists tool to submit your track for playlist consideration. Include detailed information about your song, its genre, and its story to make it more appealing to curators.
Promotion is key to a successful release. Here are some effective strategies:
Once your music is live and gaining streams, tracking your analytics is crucial. Distributors provide dashboards to monitor your streaming numbers and royalties earned. SoundOn offers detailed analytics and insights to help you understand where your audience is coming from and how your tracks are performing.
Releasing music on Spotify can seem daunting, but with the right preparation and strategy, you can make your music available to a global audience and start building your fanbase. Key steps include selecting the right distributor, preparing your music and metadata, setting a thoughtful release date, and promoting your music effectively. By using platforms like SoundOn, you not only simplify the distribution process but also get valuable tools to maximize your reach and revenue.