How Do You Get on Spotify as an Artist?

Spotify is one of the leading digital streaming platforms with millions of users worldwide. For any aspiring artist, getting your music on Spotify can be a game-changer for your music career. Not only does it provide a vast audience, but it also offers ample opportunities for visibility and revenue.

Step 1: Creating Quality Music

The first step in getting on Spotify is to create quality music. Whether you’re an independent artist or part of a band, your music needs to be well-produced and of high quality. This will increase your chances of getting noticed and potentially being featured on popular playlists.

Step 2: Choose a Music Distributor

Spotify doesn’t allow artists to upload music directly to the platform. You will need to go through a music distributor. There are many distributors out there like TuneCore, DistroKid, CD Baby, ONErpm, and Amuse. However, to achieve the best results, you might want to consider using SoundOn. SoundOn offers full distribution services, as well as marketing tools to help you find new fans through platforms like TikTok and exclusive partners like CapCut.

Step 3: Preparing Your Music for Distribution

Before you distribute your music, make sure you have all the necessary elements in place. This includes:

• High-quality audio files (preferably WAV or FLAC)
• Music metadata, including the song title, artist name, album name, and track number
• Album artwork that meets Spotify’s specifications (3000x3000 pixels and in JPG or PNG format)

Album covers are crucial as they provide the first visual impression of your music. Finding the right cover can be challenging but there are many resources available to help you design or find album covers that suit your music style. Websites like Canva, Adobe Spark, or even hiring a freelance graphic designer can be great options to create compelling album art.

Step 4: Uploading and Releasing Your Music

Once you have all the essentials ready, you can upload your music to your chosen distributor’s platform. Depending on the distributor, the process may slightly vary, but generally, you will follow these steps:

1. Create an account with the distributor
2. Fill in all the necessary details about your music (metadata, album cover, genre, etc.)
3. Upload your audio files
4. Choose a release date
5. Submit for distribution

Most distributors have partnerships with Spotify, and they will handle the technicalities of getting your music onto the platform. Within a few days, your music should be available on Spotify for the world to hear.

Step 5: Promoting Your Music

Simply having your music on Spotify isn’t enough; you need to actively promote it. Here are a few strategies to increase your visibility:

• Utilize social media platforms like Instagram, TikTok, and Twitter to share your music and engage with fans.
• Reach out to bloggers, music reviewers, and influencers who could feature your music.
• Submit your songs for Spotify playlist consideration. Spotify’s music curators are always looking for new tracks to add to their playlists.
• Host virtual and live events to promote your music.
• Collaborate with other artists.

Finding Album Covers

As mentioned earlier, album covers play a significant role in your music's presentation. Below are some additional tips and resources for finding or creating perfect album covers:

Hire a Professional Designer

One of the best ways to get a unique, high-quality album cover is to hire a professional designer. You can find talented designers on platforms like Fiverr or Upwork. Professional designers can tailor your album art to match your music’s vibe and ensure it stands out.

Use Online Tools

If hiring a designer is not within your budget, you can use online tools such as Canva or Adobe Spark. These platforms provide customizable templates suited for album covers and are user-friendly, even for those with no graphic design experience.

Be Creative

Explore your creativity by coming up with a concept that resonates with your music. Photography, abstract art, and even hand-drawn illustrations can make for unique cover art. Just ensure the final product is professional and high-resolution.

Understand the Guidelines

Whichever route you choose, make sure your album cover meets Spotify's guidelines. Your cover image should be a minimum of 3000x3000 pixels, be in JPG or PNG format, and not contain any explicit content unless properly labeled.

Conclusion

Getting your music on Spotify as an artist requires more than just uploading a song. With the right preparation, choosing the best music distributor like SoundOn, and promoting your music effectively, you can significantly boost your reach and grow your fan base. Don’t forget the importance of a well-designed album cover, as it visually represents your music and plays a crucial role in making a memorable first impression.

So, take these steps, create great music, and capture your audience’s attention with compelling album art. Your journey to becoming a successful artist on Spotify starts now!