How to Upload Music on Spotify?

For music artists, having their tracks featured on Spotify is a significant milestone. The streaming giant not only provides a platform to showcase their music but also the potential to reach millions of listeners globally. But how exactly can you get your music onto Spotify? Let's dive into the process.

Step-by-Step: Uploading Your Music to Spotify

While it’s not possible to upload your music directly to Spotify as an independent artist, you can do so through a music distributor. Services like SoundOn, Tunecore, DistroKid, CD Baby, ONErpm, LANDR, Indiefy, and Amuse can help you get your tracks on Spotify and other streaming platforms. Here’s a step-by-step guide to distribute your music via SoundOn.

1. Register with a Distributor

The first step is to choose and register with a digital music distributor like SoundOn. Distributors take care of the heavy lifting by distributing your music to various digital streaming platforms, including Spotify.

2. Prepare Your Music

Before you upload your music, ensure it meets the necessary quality standards. This includes high-quality audio files, appropriate metadata (like song titles, album names, and artist names), and necessary album artwork.

3. Upload Your Music

Log into your distribution service account, and follow their upload instructions. Typically, you’ll need to upload audio files, album art, and input necessary metadata.

4. Set a Release Date

Choose when you want your music to be released on Spotify and other platforms. It’s usually a good idea to set a release date a few weeks in advance to give you time to promote and pitch your music to playlist curators.

5. Promote Your Music

After uploading, start promoting your music. Utilize social media platforms like TikTok and SoundOn’s promotional tools to maximize your reach. The more people who listen to your music, the higher the likelihood of getting playlisted and increasing your streams.

Which Music Streaming Service Pays Artists the Most?

Understanding which streaming service pays artists the most is vital for independent musicians looking to maximize their earnings. While Spotify is one of the largest and most influential platforms, it’s essential to compare it with others in terms of payouts.

Spotify

Spotify is known for its massive user base and playlist curation which can help artists gain significant exposure. However, the payment per stream tends to be on the lower side. On average, Spotify pays about $0.003 to $0.005 per stream.

Apple Music

Apple Music offers a slightly higher payout to artists compared to Spotify, with an average payment of about $0.007 to $0.01 per stream. Although it has a smaller user base compared to Spotify, it’s still a popular choice among artists for its better payout rates.

Tidal

Tidal is known for its high-quality audio and artist-friendly approach. It offers one of the highest payouts per stream, averaging around $0.0125. While it might not have the same user base size as Spotify or Apple Music, the higher payout rates can be appealing to independent artists.

Deezer

Deezer, similar to other platforms, pays on a per-stream basis but tends to offer a moderate payout, similar to Spotify, averaging about $0.0064 per stream.

Amazon Music

Amazon Music has been growing steadily, and it offers competitive payout rates. On average, artists can expect about $0.004 to $0.008 per stream.

Conclusion

Choosing the right platform to distribute your music involves balancing exposure and payouts. While Spotify offers excellent exposure due to its vast user base, services like Tidal and Apple Music might offer higher per-stream payouts.

No matter which platform you choose, it’s crucial to leverage the promotional tools available to increase your music’s reach. Consider registering with SoundOn to manage your music distribution effectively and ensure your tracks are available on all major platforms, maximizing your earning potential and fan base growth.