Making your music available to the world is now easier than ever. Thanks to digital music distribution, you can share your track with millions of listeners on platforms like Spotify, Apple Music, Amazon Music, and more. This guide will walk you through the entire process of submitting your track to all streaming platforms step-by-step. Whether you’re an independent artist or just starting, you’ll find this guide helpful and easy to follow.
Why Should You Submit Your Track to Streaming Platforms?
Before diving into the step-by-step process, let’s quickly discuss why submitting your track to streaming platforms is essential. Streaming is the primary way people consume music today. It allows your music to reach a global audience, gain fans, and even earn revenue. Platforms like Spotify and Apple Music are visited by millions of music lovers daily, so getting your music on these platforms can significantly boost your exposure.
Additionally, streaming platforms provide analytics to help you understand your audience better. You can see where your listeners are located, their age group, and which tracks they love the most. This data can help you plan your next moves as an artist.
Step 1: Prepare Your Track
Before submitting your song, make sure it’s ready for distribution. Here are some key things to check:
- High-Quality Audio: Ensure your track is mixed and mastered professionally. Most distributors require a WAV or FLAC file format.
- Metadata: This includes your song’s title, artist name, album name, genre, and release date. Double-check for typos or errors.
- Album Art: Design an eye-catching cover that meets platform requirements. Most streaming services require a 3000×3000 pixel image in JPEG or PNG format.
- Rights and Ownership: Make sure you own the rights to your music. If you used samples, ensure they are cleared legally.
Step 2: Choose a Music Distributor
To submit your track to all streaming platforms, you’ll need a music distributor. Distributors act as the middlemen between you and the streaming platforms, ensuring your music gets uploaded correctly and reaches the widest audience possible. Some popular distributors include:
- Deliver My Tune: Perfect for independent artists looking for affordable, comprehensive distribution.
- TuneCore: Known for its user-friendly platform and wide reach.
- DistroKid: Offers quick uploads and affordable pricing for multiple releases.
- CD Baby: A well-established distributor that also handles publishing.
Each distributor has its own pricing structure and features, so choose one that aligns with your goals and budget.
Step 3: Create an Account With Your Distributor
Once you’ve selected a distributor, create an account on their platform. Most distributors will ask for basic information like your name, email address, and payment details. After signing up, familiarize yourself with their dashboard and features.
Step 4: Upload Your Track and Metadata
This is where the magic begins! Log in to your distributor’s platform and start the upload process:
- Upload Audio Files: Choose the file format specified by your distributor (usually WAV or FLAC).
- Add Metadata: Fill in details like the track title, artist name, album name, and genre. Double-check everything to avoid errors.
- Set the Release Date: Choose a release date that gives you enough time to promote your track before it goes live. A two-week buffer is ideal.
- Upload Album Art: Make sure your album art meets the platform’s specifications.
Step 5: Choose Streaming Platforms
Most distributors allow you to select which streaming platforms you want your track to appear on. To maximize your reach, select all available platforms, including:
- Spotify
- Apple Music
- Amazon Music
- YouTube Music
- Tidal
- Deezer
- Pandora (where available)
Some distributors also offer optional add-ons like TikTok and Instagram Music, which are great for increasing your social media presence.
Step 6: Set Pricing and Monetization Options
If your distributor offers monetization options, take advantage of them. This could include setting your track’s price on platforms like iTunes or enabling ad revenue on YouTube. Pricing options vary by distributor, so read the fine print carefully.
Step 7: Submit for Review
Once you’ve filled out all the required fields, it’s time to submit your track for review. The distributor will check your submission to ensure it meets all platform requirements. If there are any issues, they’ll notify you so you can make the necessary adjustments.
Step 8: Promote Your Track
While your track is being processed, start working on your promotion strategy. Here are some ideas:
- Social Media: Announce your release date and create engaging posts to generate excitement.
- Pre-Saves: Encourage fans to pre-save your track on Spotify. Many distributors offer this feature.
- Email List: Send an email blast to your subscribers with details about your upcoming release.
- Collaborations: Work with influencers or fellow artists to expand your reach.
Step 9: Track Your Performance
Once your track goes live, monitor its performance using analytics tools provided by the streaming platforms or your distributor. Pay attention to metrics like streams, listener demographics, and playlist placements. This data can help you refine your marketing efforts and plan future releases.
Common Mistakes to Avoid
- Rushing the Process: Take your time to ensure everything is perfect before submitting.
- Ignoring Metadata: Incomplete or incorrect metadata can delay your release.
- Skipping Promotion: Don’t rely solely on the streaming platforms to promote your music. Actively market your track to reach more listeners.
Why Choose Deliver My Tune?
Deliver My Tune is an excellent choice for independent artists. It offers affordable pricing, a user-friendly platform, and wide distribution. Plus, it provides tools to help you track your performance and grow your audience. If you’re looking for a reliable distributor, Deliver My Tune is worth considering.
Conclusion
Submitting your track to all streaming platforms may seem daunting, but by following this step-by-step guide, you’ll find it’s a straightforward process. Remember, the key is preparation and attention to detail. From high-quality audio to effective promotion, every step matters. Start today and share your music with the world!
Related Articles:
For further reading, explore these related articles:
- Why Should You Submit Your Track on All Streaming Platforms?
- How to Submit Your Track on iTunes to Get Paid
For additional resources on music marketing and distribution, visit DMT RECORDS PRIVATE LIMITED.
