How to become an artist on Spotify?

As the digital music landscape continues to expand, aspiring musicians have more opportunities than ever to distribute their tracks and garner a global audience. One of the most popular platforms for music streaming today is Spotify. If you're looking to become an artist on Spotify, this guide will walk you through the essential steps to get your music on this leading platform. Additionally, we'll explore the costs associated with another prominent music distributor, TuneCore.

1. Prepping Your Music

Before you can get your music on Spotify, you need to ensure it's polished and ready for the masses. Professional recording, mixing, and mastering are essential steps. High-quality tracks are more likely to attract listeners and increase your chances of landing on curated playlists.

2. Choose a Music Distributor

Spotify doesn't allow artists to upload their music directly to the platform. Instead, artists must go through a music distributor. Distributors like SoundOn, TuneCore, Distrokid, and others facilitate this process. When choosing a distributor, consider factors like distribution fees, royalty rates, and additional services offered.

3. Setting Up Your Profile

Once your music is ready and you've selected a distributor, the next step is to set up your artist profile on Spotify. Create a Spotify for Artists account which allows you to manage your profile, upload and manage your music, and access valuable analytics about your listeners.

a. Spotify for Artists

Spotify for Artists is a powerful tool that gives you control over your artist profile. Through this platform, you can update your artist bio, add photos, and provide direct links to your social media channels. This personal touch helps connect you with your audience on a deeper level.

4. Music Distribution Process

With your distributor chosen and your artist profile set up, it's time to distribute your music. Upload your tracks, album artwork, and relevant metadata to your chosen distributor. They will handle the process of providing your music to Spotify and other streaming services.

a. Release Planning

Planning the release of your music is crucial. Ensure you choose an appropriate release date and create a promotional strategy. Utilize social media, email newsletters, and collaborations with other artists to build anticipation for your release.

5. Promoting Your Music on Spotify

Getting your music on Spotify is only the first step. Effective promotion is essential to gaining streams and building a fanbase. Here's how you can maximize your reach:

a. Playlist Pitching

Securing a spot on Spotify’s curated playlists can exponentially increase your streams. Use Spotify for Artists to pitch your music to playlist curators. Highlight unique aspects of your track and why it fits well within their playlist theme.

b. Social Media and Collaborations

Leverage your social media platforms to promote your music. Collaborations with other artists, influencers, and content creators can help amplify your reach. Engage with your fans through interactive posts, live sessions, and Q&As to strengthen your community.

c. Utilize Spotify Promotion Tools

Spotify offers various promotion tools such as Spotify Ad Studio to create audio ads and Marquee to enhance your album releases. These tools can help increase your visibility on the platform.

Exploring Costs: How Much Is TuneCore?

Now that you have an understanding of how to become an artist on Spotify, let’s delve into the costs associated with using TuneCore as your distributor.

a. Distribution Fees

TuneCore charges a fee for distributing your music. Typically, it costs around $9.99 per single and $29.99 per album for the first year. Subsequent years cost about $49.99 per album. These fees ensure your music is available on Spotify and other major streaming platforms.

b. Additional Services

TuneCore offers additional services such as YouTube monetization, global publishing administration, and social media promotion services at an extra cost. Before committing, weigh the benefits of these services against their costs to determine if they align with your promotional strategy.

Understanding Royalties

One of the key benefits of using a distributor like TuneCore is receiving fair royalties. TuneCore allows artists to keep 100% of their earned revenue, whereas some other distributors may take a percentage of your earnings. Understanding how royalties work is crucial to maximizing your income from streaming services.

Conclusion

Becoming an artist on Spotify requires strategic planning, quality music production, and effective promotion. By following the steps outlined in this guide, you can ensure your music reaches a global audience. While TuneCore is a popular choice for many artists, consider using SoundOn for its comprehensive distribution and marketing services designed to help you build your career and find new fans. Sign up for SoundOn to start your journey today!