The Ultimate Guide How To Publish Music On Spotify And Reach Millions Of Ears

Hello and welcome, music lovers! Do you aspire to make a living out of your own music by sharing it with the world? If you’re struggling with finding the right platforms to publish your work, you’re not alone. Many talented artists find it challenging to explore the vastness of the music industry to find their place. Today, we aim to help you tackle one of the biggest hurdles for any musician: publishing music on Spotify.

By reading this article, you will learn everything you need to know about publishing your music on Spotify. From creating the perfect cover art to choosing the right distribution services, we’ve got you covered. The ultimate goal is to reach as many listeners as possible, and Spotify is an excellent platform for doing just that. Once you know how to put your music on Spotify, your art can reach millions of people across the globe. Imagine the possibilities!

Don’t believe me? Well, we’ve done the research and worked with professional musicians to provide you with a step-by-step guide on how to publish your music on Spotify successfully. By following our tips and hacks, you can make sure your music gets the exposure it deserves. So, leave the frustration and self-doubt behind and get ready to unleash your full musical potential on one of the world’s most popular music streaming platforms.

Setting up your Spotify artist account

If you’re an independent artist or a band looking to reach a wider audience, Spotify is a great platform to get your music out there. It has over 356 million active users in 178 markets, making it one of the most popular streaming services in the world. The platform provides artists with a global reach and a chance to grow their fan base while receiving royalties for streams. In this section, we’ll be discussing the step-by-step process of setting up a Spotify artist account.

Step 1: Signing up on Spotify

The first step to getting your music on Spotify is to sign up for a Spotify account. You can either create a free account or choose a paid subscription. If your goal is to distribute your music, you should consider signing up for a paid subscription, as it will give you access to Spotify’s artist tools and analytics. Here’s how to sign up for a Spotify account:

1. Head over to Spotify’s website and click on “Sign Up.”
2. Select the option “Get Spotify” and choose either the free or paid version.
3. Create an account using your email address or Facebook account.
4. Follow the prompts to finish setting up your account.

Step 2: Verifying your identity

To set up a Spotify artist account, you need to verify your identity as an artist. You can do this by providing:

• Your legal name
• Your artist or band name
• The URL of your website or social media page
• Your tax information (if required)

Once you’ve provided this information, Spotify will verify your identity and confirm that you’re a real artist. This process can take up to 24 hours.

Step 3: Claiming your artist profile

Once your identity has been verified, you can claim your artist profile on Spotify. Claiming your profile will give you access to Spotify for Artists, a dashboard that lets you control your artist profile and track your streams and royalties. Here’s how to claim your artist profile:

1. Log in to Spotify for Artists using the email address and password you used to sign up for your account.
2. Search for your artist name and select your profile.
3. Follow the prompts to claim your profile by providing additional information, such as your image and bio.

Step 4: Uploading your music

The final step in setting up your Spotify artist account is to upload your music. You can do this through a digital distribution service or by working directly with a record label. Here’s how to upload your music using a digital distribution service:

1. Choose a digital distribution service, such as DistroKid, TuneCore, or CD Baby.
2. Sign up for an account and follow the prompts to upload your music.
3. Select Spotify as a distribution channel.
4. Follow the prompts to distribute your music to Spotify.

If you’re working with a record label, they will handle the distribution process for you.

The pros and cons of using Spotify as an artist

Pros	Cons
Access to a huge audience of users	Low per-stream royalty rates
Free and paid subscription options	Difficult to stand out in a crowded market
Easy to use and set up	Doesn’t provide full control over your music
Opportunities to grow your fan base and reach new listeners	Can be difficult to get noticed without promotion or marketing

Conclusion:

Setting up a Spotify artist account is a great way to get your music heard by a wide audience. By following the steps above, you can create a profile that represents your music and attract fans from around the world. Make sure to choose the option that best suits your needs and budget as an artist. While Spotify provides an accessible platform for independent artists, it’s important to keep in mind the pros and cons of using the service. With the right promotion and marketing efforts, however, Spotify can be a valuable tool for growing your fan base and reaching new listeners.

Tips for Optimizing Your Spotify Profile

For independent artists, Spotify has become a crucial platform for releasing and promoting their music to a wider audience. With nearly 320 million active users, there is an extremely high chance that your target audience is already on the platform. However, just being on the platform is not enough, as there are over 2.2 million total artists and 180 million total tracks on Spotify. Therefore, it is crucial that you optimize your Spotify profile to stand out from the crowd. In this section, we will provide you with a list of tips for optimizing your Spotify profile.

1. Add a Profile Picture and Cover Art

Like any social media platform, Spotify also requires a profile picture and cover art for your profile page. Make sure that your profile picture and cover art are eye-catching and showcase your brand or your music. Your profile picture should be a high-resolution image of your band or yourself, and it should look professional. Similarly, your cover art should be striking and capture the attention of your audience.

1. Use a high-resolution image for your profile picture to avoid looking blurry or pixelated on different devices.

Spotify recommends that the profile picture should be at least 640 x 640 pixels, but you should aim for an image with a higher resolution for better image quality. Moreover, since your profile picture will be displayed in a circular shape, make sure that the important parts of your image are not cut out. You can also use your album cover or promotional artwork as your profile picture, as long as it fits the recommended size.

2. Design a custom cover art that represents your music and brand.

Your cover art should be visually striking and relevant to your music. Avoid using generic images or stock photos, as they do not accurately represent your music or brand. You can hire a graphic designer or create your own cover art using Photoshop, Canva, or other design tools. Make sure that your cover art meets Spotify’s guidelines, such as not using copyrighted content, avoiding explicit content, and having a minimum size of 640 x 640 pixels.

2. Write a Compelling Bio

Your Spotify bio is your chance to introduce yourself and your music to your potential listeners. It is important to write a bio that is intriguing and informative, as it can be the deciding factor for someone to follow your profile or not. Your bio should be short and sweet, highlighting your unique story or journey as an artist.

1. Start with a hook that grabs the listener’s attention.

Begin with a sentence or question that piques the listener’s interest and encourages them to read more. This could be something about your background, your genre, or your story. Don’t be afraid to inject a little personality and humor into your bio, as long as it is appropriate for your brand.

2. Include your music genre and major achievements.

Your bio should include your genre of music and any major achievements or accolades you may have received. This will help your potential listeners understand your musical style and why they should listen to your music. However, don’t go overboard with the achievements, as it can come off as boastful or overwhelming. A few highlights are enough to showcase your accomplishments.

3. Add personal details and influences.

Share some personal details about yourself or your band, such as your hometown, your musical influences, or your creative process. Adding these details can make your bio more personal and relatable to your listeners. It can also help them understand your music better and create a deeper connection with your brand.

3. Create and Curate Playlists

Playlists are a great way to showcase your music to a new audience and to show your musical taste to your listeners. You can create your own playlist to showcase your music, curate playlists around a specific theme or mood, or participate in collaborative playlists with other artists or curators. Here are some tips to create and curate engaging playlists:

1. Create a theme or mood for your playlist.

Your playlist should have a clear theme or mood, such as “Sunday morning chill”, “Summer road trip”, or “Hardcore workout”. This will help your listeners understand the purpose of the playlist and set expectations for the kind of music they will hear. Be creative and think outside the box, but also make sure that your theme or mood is relevant to your brand or your music.

2. Include your own music and other artists.

Don’t be afraid to include your own music in your playlist, but also add other artists that fit the theme or mood of your playlist. This will help your playlist feel fresh and diverse, and will also expose your listeners to new and exciting music. You can also use this opportunity to collaborate with other artists, curators, or influencers on Spotify.

3. Keep your playlist updated and fresh.

Don’t let your playlist stagnate or become irrelevant. Keep updating your playlist with new and exciting music that fits the theme or mood of your playlist. Your followers will appreciate your effort to keep the playlist fresh and engaging, and it will also increase your chances of being discovered by new listeners.

4. Utilize Social Media and Promotion

Finally, don’t forget to utilize social media and promotion to drive traffic and engagement to your Spotify profile. Share your Spotify link on your social media profiles, website, or email signature, and encourage your followers to check out your music. Engage with your listeners on social media, respond to their comments and messages, and thank them for their support.

1. Use social media platforms to promote your music.

Share your Spotify link or embed your Spotify player on your social media profiles, such as Instagram, Twitter, Facebook, or TikTok. You can also create visual content, such as music videos, lyric videos, or promotional images, to showcase your music on social media. Don’t forget to use relevant hashtags and tags to increase your reach and engagement.

2. Reach out to influencers and blogs for promotion.

Identify influencers, bloggers, or curators in your genre or niche, and reach out to them for potential collaboration or promotion. You can offer them a free download or early access to your music, or invite them to an exclusive event or interview. Make sure to personalize your outreach and focus on creating a relationship, rather than just asking for a favor.

3. Collaborate with other artists for mutual promotion.

Collaborate with other artists or bands in your local scene or genre for cross-promotion. You can create a playlist together, perform at a joint concert, or record a cover version of each other’s songs. This will help you reach a new and engaged audience and also build a supportive community of artists.

Tips for Optimizing Your Spotify Profile	Pros	Cons
Add a Profile Picture and Cover Art	Creates a professional and visually appealing appearance; Attracts potential listeners who are interested in your brand or your music	No significant disadvantages, as long as the images meet Spotify guidelines and accurately represent your brand and music.
Write a Compelling Bio	Introduces yourself and your music to potential listeners; Provides context and a deeper connection to your music; Can set you apart from other artists with similar genre or style; Helps your search ranking on Spotify	May be time-consuming and reqiuire some writing or storytelling skills; Can be challenging to balance between informative and interesting; May be difficult to fit everything in a short bio
Create and Curate Playlists	Showcases your music to a new audience; Creates a deeper connection and engagement with your listeners; Increases your search ranking and plays on Spotify; Provides opportunities for collaboration with other artists or curators	May require some knowledge and experience in music curation and playlisting; Can be time-consuming to update and maintain the playlist; Some listeners may prefer listening to individual tracks instead of playlists
Utilize Social Media and Promotion	Increases your visibility and engagement on social media and other platforms; Encourages your followers to check out your music on Spotify; Exposes your music to a wider audience through collaboration and influencers; Helps you build a strong and supportive community of fans and artists	May require some effort and strategy to effectively promote your music; Can be challenging to stand out from other artists and noise on social media; May not result in immediate or predictable results

Preparing Your Music for Spotify Release

When preparing your music for release on Spotify, it is essential to ensure that everything is in order. You want your music to sound its best, and you want potential listeners to be able to find it easily. Here are the steps you need to follow before you can release your music on Spotify.

1. Master Your Music

Mastering is the process of optimizing the final mix of your music to sound its absolute best. You should hire a dedicated mastering engineer to ensure that your music is polished and ready for streaming. Some of the things that a professional mastering engineer will do for your music include:

• Adjusting volume levels to ensure a consistent sound across all tracks
• Equalizing frequencies to balance different instruments and vocals
• Reducing noise and distortion
• Adding finishing touches to make your music sound its best
• Creating separate masters for different streaming platforms

It is essential to have your music professionally mastered because this is what will determine the sound quality listeners will hear on Spotify. A well-mastered track will sound more balanced and louder than an un-mastered track, and it can also stand out more on streaming platforms.

2. Choose Your Digital Distributor

Once your music is mastered, you will need to choose a digital distributor for getting your music on Spotify. A music distributor acts as a middleman between you and streaming platforms like Spotify. It will take care of the actual uploading and distribution of your music and ensure that you get paid for streams.

When choosing a digital distributor, you want to look for one that provides the following:

• Easy-to-use platform for uploading and managing your music
• Competitive pricing and fair royalty rates
• Comprehensive analytics and reporting tools
• Distribution to a wide range of streaming platforms and services, including Spotify, Apple Music, and Amazon Music

Some of the most popular digital distributors for independent musicians are DistroKid, TuneCore, and CD Baby.

3. Prepare Your Metadata

Metadata refers to the information that accompanies your music on streaming platforms like Spotify. This includes things like the song title, artist name, album name, genre, release date, and album art. Having accurate and comprehensive metadata is crucial for making your music discoverable on Spotify and other streaming platforms.

Here are the steps to prepare your metadata:

1. Title and Artist Name: Use the official title and artist name for your music. Avoid using special characters, all caps, or misspellings.
2. Album Name: Give your album a unique and descriptive name that accurately represents the content of the album.
3. Genre: Choose a genre that accurately reflects the style of your music. You can choose up to three genres for each release.
4. Release Date: Choose a release date that gives you enough time to promote your music before it goes live on Spotify. You can choose a future release date to schedule a release ahead of time.
5. Album Art: Choose an eye-catching and unique album cover that represents your music visually. The album art should be at least 3000 x 3000 pixels, in JPEG or PNG format.

Pros and Cons of Digital Distribution

Here are some of the advantages and disadvantages of using a digital distribution service to get your music on Spotify:

Pros	Cons
-Saves time and effort	-May take a percentage of royalties
-Provides access to streaming platforms like Spotify, Apple Music, and Amazon Music	-May not provide individualized attention or support
-Positive reputation and established relationship with streaming services	-May have a learning curve with platform usage
-Provides powerful analytics and reporting tools	-May have a long wait for submissions to be evaluated and approved

In conclusion, preparing your music for release on Spotify takes patience, professionalism, and careful planning. By following these steps, you can ensure that your music is optimized for streaming and that it can reach the ears of potential fans.

Submitting your Music to Spotify for Distribution

Spotify is a leading music streaming platform that allows musicians and artists to distribute their music to millions of people around the world. The platform has a massive audience of over 356 million active users across 178 countries. By uploading your music, you can get your work out there to a larger audience and, ultimately, earn more revenue. Here’s what you need to know about submitting music to Spotify for distribution.

How to Submit Your Music on Spotify

Submitting music on Spotify is a relatively easy process, but there are a few things you need to do before uploading your music:

• Have your music prepared in a high-quality format
• Create a Spotify account or use an existing one
• Sign up for a distribution service or aggregator
• Include metadata in your music files

Once you’ve completed this, you can now proceed to upload your music:

1. Log in to your distribution service
2. Create a new release or select an existing one you want to add songs to
3. Add the metadata for your songs, including details like the artist, release date, and genre
4. Upload your songs, ensuring they meet Spotify’s file requirements
5. Select Spotify as one of your distribution platforms
6. Submit your release for review and distribution

Choosing the Right Distribution Service

There are many distribution services available for musicians to choose from, each with their own pros and cons. Here are some factors to consider when choosing a service:

• Price: Some services charge a flat fee, while others take a commission on your earnings. Consider which pricing model suits your budget.
• Features: Different services offer different features. For example, some may include marketing tools, while others may have better analytics.
• Platform Support: Ensure the service supports platforms you want your music to be distributed on. For example, not all services distribute to YouTube music.
• Customer Support: Consider a service’s customer support options and their response time.

It’s important to do your research and choose a distribution service that best matches your needs.

The Pros and Cons of Uploading Music to Spotify

While there are many benefits to uploading your music to Spotify, there are also some drawbacks that you should be aware of. Here are some pros and cons to consider:

Pros	Cons
A larger audience reach: Spotify has over 356 million active users, providing musicians with an opportunity to reach a bigger audience. Increased Revenue: Spotify pays royalties to artists, which can lead to increased revenue streams. User-Friendly Platform: Spotify is a user-friendly platform which makes it easier for artists to upload their music and engage with listeners.	Low Royalty Rates: While Spotify pays royalties, artists may not make as much as they would through traditional record deals. Competition: With millions of songs available on Spotify, competition for attention can be tough. Revenue Share: Third-party aggregators take a commission on artists’ revenue earned on the platform.

Real-World Examples of Uploading Music to Spotify

Spotify has helped many artists from around the world get their music out there to a larger audience. For example, SAINT JHN is a Brooklyn-based rapper who became a success on Spotify after the release of his 2018 album Collection One. The album gained over 10 million streams in its first week, establishing SAINT JHN as an up-and-coming artist.

Another example is the Norwegian DJ Kygo, who found fame on Spotify after releasing his remix of Ed Sheeran’s “I See Fire” in 2013. The remix gained millions of streams and led to a record deal with Sony Music.

Conclusion

Submitting your music to Spotify for distribution is a relatively easy process, but there are some important factors to consider. Choosing the right distribution service, weighing the pros and cons, and studying real-world examples can be helpful in making an informed decision. By using Spotify, you can reach millions of people around the world and earn revenue from your musical creations.

Promoting Your Music on Spotify and Beyond

As an up-and-coming artist, publishing your music on Spotify is an essential step towards getting discovered by millions of users. But with over 70 million tracks on the platform, it can be hard to stand out in this sea of music. That’s why it’s crucial to take it a step further and promote your music on and beyond Spotify.

1. Develop a Strong Social Media Presence

With over 3.6 billion people using social media worldwide, it is an essential tool to market your music to a global audience. A strong social media presence can help you build a community of loyal fans and create buzz around your music. Here’s how to do it:

• Create engaging content that showcases your music and personality.
• Post regularly on various social media platforms, such as Instagram, Twitter, and Facebook.
• Collaborate with other artists and influencers in your niche to expand your reach.
• Use targeted ads to promote your music to specific demographics.

A great example of an artist who has leveraged social media to promote their music is Billie Eilish. At just 19, Eilish has amassed a massive following of over 82 million on Instagram, Twitter, and TikTok.

2. Build a Professional Website

A website is the digital hub of your music career. It showcases your music, merchandise, tour dates, and more. Not only does a website legitimize your brand, but it also gives fans a centralized place to learn about your music. Here’s what you should include:

• Music samples, videos, and lyrics
• A merch store to sell physical and digital products
• A blog to update fans on your music journey
• Contact information for booking and collaborations

A great example of an artist with a strong website is Taylor Swift. Her website includes tour dates, a merch store, blogs, and playlists curated by the singer herself.

3. Collaborate with Influencers

Influencer marketing has become a powerful tool for artists to promote their music to a wider audience. Collaborating with influencers in your niche can help expose your music to new fans and generate buzz around your brand. Here are some tips:

• Research influencers in your genre who have a following similar to your target audience.
• Reach out to them with a personalized pitch that showcases your music and brand.
• Offer them exclusive content or experiences in exchange for promoting your music to their followers.
• Track the results and use them to improve your future collaborations.

A great example of an artist who has successfully collaborated with influencers is Ed Sheeran. In 2019, Sheeran teamed up with YouTuber-turned-pop-star, Ali-A, to promote his song “Beautiful People” to Ali-A’s 16+ million subscribers.

4. Utilize Music Blogs and Playlists

Music blogs and playlists are a great way to get your music in front of new listeners. Pitching your music to curators, creating your own playlists, and staying up to date with music blogs are all effective strategies for promoting your music. Here’s how to do it:

• Research popular music blogs that feature artists in your genre and submit your music for review.
• Create your own playlists on Spotify and share them on social media.
• Submit your music to independent playlist curators on Spotify.
• Follow music blogs and engage with their posts to build relationships with their editors.

A great example of an artist who has leveraged music blogs and playlists is Lizzo. The singer’s breakthrough hit, “Truth Hurts,” was originally released in 2017 but gained massive attention after it was featured on a TikTok video and subsequently on multiple Spotify playlists.

5. Tour and Do Live Shows

Touring and playing live shows are essential to building a fanbase and promoting your music. Not only do live shows give fans an opportunity to experience your music in person, they also offer opportunities to network with other artists and industry professionals. Here are some tips:

• Plan your tours strategically to target cities where you have the most fans.
• Research live music venues and festivals in your target cities and reach out to book gigs.
• Utilize resources like Booking Agent Info to find booking agents and managers in your genre.
• Prepare strong live performances that showcase your unique style and musicianship.

A great example of an artist who has built a loyal fanbase through touring is Chance the Rapper. The Grammy-winning rapper started his career performing at open mic nights in Chicago and has since gone on to headline major music festivals and tours.

In conclusion, promoting your music on and beyond Spotify takes hard work and persistence. By leveraging social media, building a professional website, collaborating with influencers, utilizing music blogs and playlists, and touring and playing live shows, you can build a loyal fanbase and gain widespread recognition as an artist. Remember, it’s not enough to just publish your music on Spotify – you need to actively promote your brand to achieve success in today’s competitive music industry.

Strategy	Pros	Cons
Social Media	Connect with a global audience Create a community of loyal fans Easily share content with a large reach	Can be time-consuming May require paid advertising to reach desired audience Algorithm changes may impact reach and engagement
Website	Centralized hub for all information and updates Professional and legitimize your brand Showcase music, merch, and tour information	May require technical skills to set up and maintain May be costly for website hosting and development Requires ongoing updates and maintenance
Influencer Marketing	Expose music to wider audience Generate buzz and credibility for brand Create organic growth and engagement	May require paid promotion or exclusive content to collaborate May not always result in intended outcome or ROI May be difficult or time-consuming to find appropriate influencers to collaborate with
Music Blogs and Playlists	Exposure to new fanbase and listeners Promote music through curated playlists Access to industry professionals and opportunities	May require repetitive pitching to multiple platforms to achieve desired result May face competition in crowded music blog and playlist market May be difficult to land high-profile blog or playlist features
Touring and Live Shows	Build loyal fanbase and connections with industry professionals Opportunity to showcase unique style and musicianship Generate revenue through ticket sales and merchandise	May be costly and time-consuming May be difficult to book gigs in target cities Requires strong live performance and musicianship ability

FAQs: How to Publish Music on Spotify

How do I get my music on Spotify?

The best way to get your music on Spotify is to sign up for a distribution service. There are many companies that offer this service, such as DistroKid, TuneCore, and CD Baby. These services will distribute your music to Spotify, Apple Music, and other streaming platforms for a fee. You can also choose to self-distribute, but it can be a more complicated process.

How much does it cost to publish music on Spotify?

The cost of publishing music on Spotify depends on which distribution service you choose. Prices can range from a one-time fee per release to a yearly subscription. DistroKid, for example, charges $19.99 per year for unlimited distribution. TuneCore charges a one-time fee of $9.99 per single or $29.99 per album, plus a yearly subscription. CD Baby charges a one-time fee per release and takes a percentage of your earnings.

Do I need a record label to publish music on Spotify?

No, you do not need a record label to publish music on Spotify. As long as you have the rights to your music, you can distribute it yourself or through a distribution service.

How long does it take for music to be published on Spotify?

It can take anywhere from a few days to several weeks for your music to be published on Spotify. This depends on the distribution service you use and how quickly they process your release. It is best to plan ahead and submit your release well in advance of your desired release date.

What format should my music be in to publish on Spotify?

Your music should be in high-quality digital format, such as WAV or FLAC. Spotify recommends a minimum bitrate of 96 kbps, but higher bitrates are preferred for optimal sound quality.

Do I need to copyright my music before publishing it on Spotify?

No, you do not need to copyright your music before publishing it on Spotify. Your music is automatically protected by copyright law as soon as you create it.

Can I edit my release after publishing it on Spotify?

Yes, you can edit certain aspects of your release after it has been published on Spotify. This includes the release metadata, such as the title and artist name, as well as the audio files themselves. However, any changes may take a few days to be reflected on Spotify.

How much money can I make from publishing music on Spotify?

Your earnings from publishing music on Spotify depend on several factors, such as the number of streams you receive, your royalty rate, and the distribution service you use. Spotify pays out approximately 70% of its revenue to artists and rights holders. However, this money is divided among all the rights holders for a given release, such as the record label, publisher, and any featured artists or producers.

Can I promote my music on Spotify?

Yes, you can promote your music on Spotify using various tools and features, such as playlists, social media, and paid advertising. You can also work with music promotion companies and PR firms to help increase your visibility on the platform.

What are some tips for getting the most out of publishing music on Spotify?

To get the most out of publishing music on Spotify, it is important to create high-quality music that resonates with your target audience. You should also optimize your release metadata, such as the title and artist name, to make it easy to find and discover. Use social media and other platforms to promote your music and engage with your fans. Consider collaborating with other artists and curators to increase your exposure.

Conclusion

Publishing your music on Spotify can be a rewarding and lucrative experience, but it takes effort and strategy to succeed. By using a distribution service, optimizing your release metadata, and promoting your music effectively, you can increase your chances of success. Don’t forget to engage with your fans and keep creating great music. Good luck!