Entering Spotify can be a thrilling milestone for every musician or creator who aims to widen their audience and distribute their music globally. As a person who has experienced it firsthand, I acknowledge the significance of having your music available on this renowned streaming platform. This piece will walk you through the procedure of getting on Spotify and offer some of my own recommendations and observations throughout the journey.
1. Create Your Spotify for Artists Account
The first step to getting on Spotify is to create a Spotify for Artists account. This is a platform that allows artists to manage their music, profile, and track their performance on Spotify. You can sign up by visiting the Spotify for Artists website and clicking on the “Sign Up” button. Once you’ve created your account, you’ll need to verify your identity as an artist.
2. Distribute Your Music through a Digital Distributor
Now that you have your Spotify for Artists account, it’s time to distribute your music to Spotify. Spotify doesn’t directly accept submissions from artists, so you’ll need to work with a digital distributor. There are several digital distributors available, such as TuneCore, DistroKid, and CD Baby. These platforms will help you get your music on Spotify and other streaming platforms like Apple Music and Amazon Music.
Personal Tip:
I personally used DistroKid to distribute my music on Spotify. Their platform is user-friendly, and they offer affordable pricing plans. I found their customer support to be helpful and responsive whenever I had questions or needed assistance.
3. Prepare Your Music and Metadata
Before submitting your music to a digital distributor, make sure you have all the necessary files and information ready. This includes your music files in the required format (such as WAV or MP3), your album or single artwork, and metadata such as song titles, artist name, and album information. Take your time to carefully curate your metadata as it will impact how your music appears on Spotify and other platforms.
Personal Tip:
When preparing your metadata, pay attention to details like spelling, capitalization, and formatting. Consistency is key to ensure that your music is properly categorized and discoverable on Spotify.
4. Upload Your Music to the Digital Distributor
Once you have all your music and metadata ready, it’s time to upload your music to the digital distributor’s platform. Each distributor has its own process, but they generally provide an intuitive interface where you can easily upload your music files, add your metadata, and choose the release date for your music.
Personal Tip:
I suggest taking the time to double-check all your uploads to ensure that everything is correct. Mistakes or incorrect information can be frustrating to fix later on, so it’s better to be thorough from the beginning.
5. Submit Your Music for Distribution
After you’ve uploaded your music to the digital distributor, you will need to submit it for distribution. This process may involve selecting the streaming platforms you want your music to be available on, setting pricing and royalty options, and confirming your distribution details. Once you’ve reviewed and confirmed all the information, you can proceed with the distribution process.
Personal Tip:
Before finalizing your distribution, it’s a good idea to do some research and consider the right pricing and royalty options for your music. Think about your goals as an artist and what aligns best with your strategies.
6. Wait for Your Music to Go Live on Spotify
After submitting your music for distribution, you’ll need to wait for it to go live on Spotify. The time it takes for your music to be available can vary depending on the distributor and the platform’s review process. It’s important to be patient during this time and focus on promoting your upcoming release to build anticipation among your audience.
Personal Tip:
While waiting for your music to go live, use this time to create a marketing plan. Think about how you can effectively promote your music on social media, through email newsletters, or by collaborating with other artists. Building hype and excitement around your music can help boost its visibility once it’s available on Spotify.
Conclusion
Getting your music on Spotify is an important step in reaching a wider audience and growing your music career. By creating a Spotify for Artists account, working with a digital distributor, preparing your music and metadata, and promoting your music effectively, you can increase your chances of success on this popular streaming platform. Remember that patience and perseverance are key, and always stay true to your unique sound and artistic vision.