You have finished recording, mixing and mastering your musical composition, you go to Spotify and you are desperately looking for how to post your music on this streaming platform. But here you are, you can’t find how to do it or to which link you are going to reach your goal.
Yet, nothing surprising in this, it is simply not possible to directly pour your songs or albums directly into Spotify’s music library. After various unsuccessful tests, those responsible for the music application have opted for another solution which consists of asking artists who want to publish their songs on Spotify to go through a music distributor.
Registration with a music distributor, how does it work?
The first step for an artist wishing to make themselves known and build an audience on Spotify is to register with one of the many music distributors on the market.
The conditions of use, the services or even the royalty repayment policy differ from one platform to another.
The most reputable distribution services in the music industry are TuneCore, RouteNote, LANDR or even CD Baby and Distrokid, although you are spoiled for choice with the large number of professionals working in this sector.
The choice of your distributor is the point that requires the most thought. You should take the time to compare and even question online reviews or the quality of the experiences of people around you to get an idea of the music services that suit you best.
The registration process itself remains very simple, just let yourself be guided on the site of the music distribution platform.
How do you upload your music to a distributor’s platform?
Once you have registered, you must upload your musical pieces and download them to the music distributor, respecting the desired formats which are generally in high resolution MP3 or WAV.
You must associate this music upload to your distributor with a certain amount of information such as your artist name, the title of the song or the title of the album and of each of the tracks as well as their number, the musical genre or information relating to copyright, without this list being exhaustive as it depends on the mode of operation of each music distributor.
Also, if it’s a full album recording you want to appear on Spotify’s streaming service , you’ll also need to provide your cover art, photo of the artist(s), etc…
How long to listen to your music on Spotify?
As soon as your file is complete and you have filled in all the required information as well as paying for the subscription or creating your payment space according to the rules established by the chosen music distributor, your musical composition will have to go through the validation process which is responsible for checking the quality of the media provided as well as the musical works respect the distribution charter of Spotify as well as other music streaming platforms that you have selected.
Generally, you should expect a delay of between 3 and 5 days before your music joins the millions of tracks listened to by Spotify users.
Except for recording a very large number of streams on a daily basis, being present on Spotify is not an alternative that allows you to live from your music. However, as a world leader in streaming music, Spotify has millions of subscribers and therefore a real opportunity to build an audience by expanding the number of listeners, the platform making available to artists a whole range services that optimize the visibility of your songs by the public.
In Summary
To put your music on Spotify, you’ll need to follow these steps:
- Create Your Music: First, you need to have your music ready to upload. Make sure your songs are professionally mixed and mastered, and that you have high-quality audio files in the required formats (e.g., WAV or FLAC).
- Sign Up for a Spotify Account: If you don’t already have a Spotify account, sign up for a free or premium account.
- Distribute Your Music: You’ll need to work with a digital distributor to get your music onto Spotify. A distributor is a company that will help you get your music on various online platforms, including Spotify. Some popular digital distribution services include DistroKid, TuneCore, CD Baby, and many others. Research and choose a distributor that suits your needs and budget.
- Prepare Your Release: When you sign up with a distributor, you’ll need to provide information about your music, such as song titles, artist name, release date, album art, and more. Make sure you have all these details ready before you start the distribution process.
- Upload Your Music: Use the distributor’s platform to upload your music files, album art, and all the necessary information. Follow the instructions provided by the distributor to complete this step.
- Choose Your Release Date: You can typically choose a release date for your music. This is the date when your music will become available on Spotify and other platforms.
- Review and Submit: Double-check all the information you provided, including song titles, artist name, and release date. Once you’re sure everything is accurate, submit your release to the distributor.
- Wait for Approval: The distributor will review your submission to ensure it meets the requirements and guidelines. This process can take some time, so be patient.
- Release Day: On the chosen release date, your music will become available on Spotify and other streaming platforms. Your music will be searchable and accessible to listeners.
- Promote Your Music: Once your music is live on Spotify, it’s important to promote it to reach a wider audience. Share your music on social media, collaborate with influencers, create playlists, and consider other promotional activities to get more listeners.
Remember that this process might have variations and specific requirements depending on the distributor you choose. Make sure to read their guidelines and FAQs to ensure a smooth release. It’s also a good idea to research and plan your music promotion strategy to maximize the impact of your release on Spotify and other platforms.