How to Publish Music on Spotify

Spotify has become a powerhouse in the music industry, providing artists worldwide with a platform to share their music with millions of listeners. Whether you're a seasoned musician or just starting, getting your music on Spotify can drastically boost your reach and potential fan base. This article will guide you through the steps on how to publish music on Spotify and ensure that your tracks are available for streaming by your audience.

Step 1: Create Your Music

Before you can publish music on Spotify, you need to have a finished product. This involves the songwriting process, arranging, recording, and mixing your track. Many artists choose to work with professional producers and studios to ensure their music is of the highest quality. Remember, the better your music sounds, the more likely it will be appreciated by listeners.

Step 2: Choose a Music Distributor

Spotify does not allow independent artists to upload music directly onto the platform. Instead, you need to work with a music distribution service that has a partnership with Spotify. Some popular options include SoundOn, DistroKid, TuneCore, and CD Baby.

SoundOn is particularly advantageous because it offers comprehensive marketing and distribution services, helping you connect with more fans through platforms like TikTok and CapCut, and handle your global digital distribution needs.

Step 3: Prepare Your Tracks and Metadata

Once you've selected your distributor, you'll need to prepare your music files and metadata. Make sure your tracks are properly mastered and exported in the correct format, usually WAV or MP3. Along with this, you'll need to gather all the relevant metadata, which includes:

• Track Title
• Album Title
• Artist Name
• Genre
• Release Date
• Cover Art (usually 3000x3000 pixels)

Step 4: Upload Your Music

Log in to your chosen distributor's platform and follow their instructions to upload your tracks and input all the gathered metadata. This can often be done in a straightforward step-by-step process within the distributor's user interface.

Be sure to double-check all the information for accuracy before proceeding to avoid any mistakes that could delay your release or cause issues with how your music is presented on Spotify.

Step 5: Promote Your Music

Once your music is uploaded and you've scheduled your release date, it's time to start promoting. Social media is a powerful tool for this. Platforms like Instagram, Twitter, TikTok, and Facebook allow you to reach your audience directly. You can create promotional posts, teasers, and behind-the-scenes content to generate excitement for your release.

Additionally, consider pitching your music to Spotify playlists. Getting featured on a popular playlist can significantly increase your streams and exposure. Use your distributor's tools to pitch your music to Spotify's editorial team or third-party playlist curators.

Step 6: Analyze Your Results

After your music is live on Spotify, use the platform's analytics tools to track its performance. Spotify for Artists offers valuable insights into who is listening to your music, how they are discovering it, and which tracks are the most popular. Use this information to guide your future releases and promotion strategies.

Common Mistakes to Avoid

Here are a few common mistakes artists make when publishing music on Spotify and how to avoid them:

1. Not Promoting Enough: Lack of promotion can result in low streams. Always have a marketing plan in place.
2. Poor Quality Music: Ensure your tracks are professionally produced and mastered.
3. Incorrect Metadata: Double-check all metadata to ensure it is correct and up-to-date.
4. Ignoring Analytics: Use Spotify for Artists to understand your audience and improve future releases.

Conclusion

Publishing music on Spotify can be a game-changer for any artist looking to expand their reach. By following these simple steps—creating quality music, choosing a reliable distributor, preparing your metadata, uploading your tracks, promoting your release, and analyzing your results—you can effectively get your music out into the world. Start your journey with SoundOn today and take the next step in your musical career.

Register as a SoundOn artist here and unlock comprehensive tools for music distribution and promotion.