As an independent artist, distributing your music is an important step to getting it heard by a wider audience. Here is a step-by-step guide on how to distribute your music:
Step 1: Record and produce your music
The first step in distributing your music as an independent artist is to actually make the music. This can be done in a variety of ways, depending on your budget and resources. You can record and produce your music in a home studio, or you can work with a professional studio or producer. Once your music is recorded and produced to your satisfaction, it's time to move on to the next step.
Step 2: Create metadata for your tracks
Before you can distribute your music, you'll need to create metadata for each of your tracks. This includes information like the song title, artist name, album title, and artwork. This information will be used to identify and promote your music on various platforms and services.
Step 3: Choose a digital distribution service
There are a number of digital distribution services that you can use to get your music out to the world. Some popular options include DistroKid, TuneCore, and CD Baby. These services will handle the task of getting your music onto platforms like Spotify, Apple Music, and Tidal. Some services even include YouTube monetization and some will help you get on to other platforms like Amazon and Google Play as well.
Step 4: Upload your music and metadata
Once you've chosen a digital distribution service, you'll need to upload your music and metadata to the service's website. The process of uploading your music will vary depending on the service you're using, but generally, you'll need to create an account, sign in, and then follow the prompts to upload your tracks.
Step 5: Promote your music
Now that your music is out in the world, it's time to promote it. This can include creating a website through Wix or social media pages for your artist or band, reaching out to bloggers and music reviewers, and performing live. Additionally, you can use platforms like Instagram, TikTok, Twitter and Facebook to connect with your audience, and promote your music.
Step 6: Track your streams and royalties
Finally, it's important to keep track of your streams and royalties, so you can see how your music is performing. The digital distribution service should provide you with this information, and you can also check the analytics provided by streaming platforms like Spotify and Apple Music. With this information, you can see what's working and what isn't, and make adjustments to your promotion and distribution strategies as needed.
*Please note that there can be variation among services and platforms, so it's important to read their policies and agreements, you can also always reach out to the customer service.*
These are the general steps you should take as an independent artist to distribute your music. By recording and producing high-quality music, creating metadata, choosing the right distribution service, promoting your music, and tracking your streams and royalties, you can increase your chances of success in the music industry.