How to Put Music on Spotify: Steps, Cost & Distributors

Gone are the days of music being “sold” on vinyl, cassettes, and compact disks. The digital revolution has ensured that the physical sale of records is ever-diminishing. Technology has progressed and so have the modes of disseminating music. Unlike the crude downloads in the early internet age, in the digital era, music is shared on streaming platforms. With smartphones becoming ubiquitous, streaming platforms have become crucial for propagating music to the masses. A wide range of musical artists and genres are available at the palm of the hand. Being the largest music streaming platform all over the world, Spotify can influence the listening behavior of millions of people.

The only way for underrated and up-and-coming artists to attain musical success is to promote their music. Spotify helps people do that by allowing them to upload their music and content online. With a reach of over 365 million users, artists can market their music/podcasts through Spotify.

All about Spotify

Spotify is a leading music streaming platform that offers a vast library of songs, albums, and podcasts. Users can access a wide range of music genres, create personalized playlists, and discover new artists. With both free and premium subscription options, Spotify provides on-demand streaming, allowing users to enjoy their favorite music anytime and anywhere. The platform also has features such as curated playlists, radio stations, and collaborative playlists, making it a popular choice for music enthusiasts.

Popularity of Spotify

Spotify is one of the most popular and widely used music streaming platforms globally and has become a go-to destination for music fans, with millions of songs and podcasts available to users. The platform’s popularity stems from its user-friendly interface, personalized playlists, and diverse content. Spotify has a large user base that includes both free and premium subscribers, and it remains a major player in the music streaming industry.

Why publish songs on Spotify?

Publishing songs on Spotify allows artists and musicians to reach a large and diverse audience worldwide. Millions of people use Spotify to discover new music, create playlists, and follow their favorite artists. Making your music available on Spotify increases the likelihood of it being discovered and shared. Furthermore, Spotify provides tools such as Spotify for Artists, which allow users to manage artist profiles, gain insights into listener demographics, and effectively promote your music. This exposure can lead to increased fan engagement, potential collaborations, and even live performance opportunities, assisting the artist in establishing a significant presence in the music industry.

Preparing your music for spotify

Choose the right format

When choosing your music for Spotify, choose an audio format such as MP3 or WAV. These formats preserve audio quality while keeping file sizes sufficiently small to allow seamless streaming. Most music distribution services accept these standard formats, making it simpler to upload your music.

Ensure quality standard

Spotify maintains high audio quality standards. Make sure your music is well-mixed and mastered before uploading. Aim for a clear, balanced sound that is free of distortion. Spotify suggests a minimum bit rate of 160 kbps for stereo streaming and 320 kbps for high-quality streaming. Meeting these requirements ensures that your music sounds great on the platform.

Create album artwork and metadata

Create visually appealing album artwork for your music. Before listening to the music, users notice album artwork. Thus, appealing graphics representative of your personality is critical. Provide accurate metadata such as track titles, artist names, album titles, and release dates. Clear and correct metadata assists Spotify in accurately organizing and displaying music, making it easier for listeners to find and engage with your work.

How to put music on Spotify

Choose a music distributor

Start by deciding on a music distribution service. These services act as middlemen, transferring your music to various streaming platforms such as Spotify. Compare features, pricing, and user reviews to find the best distributor for you.

Prepare your music for distribution

Ascertain that your music is in the proper format (typically MP3 or WAV) and satisfies Spotify’s quality standards. For clear, distortion-free sound, proper mixing and mastering are necessary. Make sure your album artwork is of high quality and organize metadata such as track names, artist information, and release date.

Set up your artist profile

Take control of your artist profile on Spotify for Artists. This gives you access to your page, allowing you to add a brief biography, update images, and see information about your listeners. It’s an important step towards personalizing your Spotify presence and connecting with your audience.

Steps to upload music on Spotify

Upload your music from desktop

Uploading music on Spotify from a desktop involves a series of steps. Here is a concise and simple guide to upload your music:

• Step 1: Choose a music distributor

  Select a music distribution service such as TuneCore, DistroKid, or CD Baby. Create an account and follow their instructions to upload your music.

• Step 2: Prepare your music files

  Ensure your music is in the correct format (MP3 or WAV) and satisfies Spotify’s quality standards. Make sure you have high-quality album artwork and organized metadata.

• Step 3: Upload your music through the distributor

  Log in to your chosen distribution service and follow their upload process. This typically involves providing details about your release, uploading music files, and setting a release date.

• Step 4: Set up your spotify for artists account

  Claim your artist profile on Spotify for Artists if you haven’t already. This allows you to manage your artist page, track performance, and access promotional tools.

• Step 5: Wait for distribution approval

  Your distributor will review your submission. Once approved, they will distribute your music to various platforms, including Spotify.

• Step 6: Verify your release on Spotify

  Check your Spotify for Artists account to ensure your release appears correctly. It may take a few days for your music to be available on Spotify.

If you follow these, your music should be successfully uploaded and available on Spotify for listeners to discover and enjoy.

Upload your music from mobile

Uploading music to Spotify from a mobile device involves a series of steps, typically facilitated through a music distribution service. Here’s a concise and simple guide for uploading music using a mobile phone:

• Step 1: Choose a music distribution app

  Download and install a music distribution app such as DistroKid, CD Baby, or TuneCore on your mobile device.

• Step 2: Create an account

  Open the app, create an account, and follow the instructions given to you on the screen to set up your profile.

• Step 3: Prepare your music files

  Ensure your music files are in the required format (MP3 or WAV) and satisfy Spotify’s quality standards. Keep your album artwork and metadata ready.

• Step 4: Upload your music

  Use this application’s interface to upload your music files. This involves selecting the songs, adding details such as track names and album information and setting a release date.

• Step 5: Pay distribution fee

  Many distribution services charge a fee for their services. Follow the payment process within the application to cover these distribution fees.

• Step 6: Verify your release

  After uploading, the distribution service will review your submission. Once approved, your music will be distributed to various platforms, including Spotify.

• Step 7: Claim your artist profile on Spotify

  If you haven’t already, download the Spotify for Artists application, claim your artist profile, and follow the prompts to manage your music on Spotify.

• Step 8: Verify all details when uploaded

  It may take a few days for your music to be available on Spotify. Once uploaded, check your Spotify for Artists account to ensure everything is correctly displayed.

Promoting your music on Spotify

Creating playlists and promoting on social media

Create playlists that include songs that are not only similar to your music but also fit your style and genre. Share these playlists on platforms such as Instagram, Twitter, and Facebook. Engage your followers by encouraging them to follow and share your playlists. This not only promotes your music but also establishes you as a curator with distinct musical tastes. Make sure to give your playlist an interesting name and description that attracts people.

Collaborating with other artist and musicians

Collaborate with other artists by including each other’s music in playlists or even creating joint projects. This type of cross-promotion exposes your music to a new audience. Use social media to announce collaborations, tag each other, and encourage both fan bases to explore the collaborative work, fostering a sense of community in the music industry.

Using Spotify’s promotional tools

• Spotify for artists: Use Spotify for Artists to manage your profile, learn about your listeners, and gain access to promotional features. Update your artist bio, add images, and showcase your latest releases using the app. Use the “Artist’s Pick” feature on your profile to highlight a favorite track or playlist.
• Spotify ad studio: Consider using Spotify Ad Studio to run targeted ads. This feature allows you to target specific demographics based on their location, age, and listening preferences. Customizing your ads ensures that they reach the most relevant audience, potentially increasing visibility and followers.
• Release radar and discover weekly: Spotify curates playlists recommending music to users based on their listening history. Regularly releasing new music increases your chances of appearing on these playlists, exposing your work to a larger audience.

Incorporating these strategies into your music promotion plan can enhance your visibility on Spotify, attract new listeners and strengthen your presence within the music community.

How much does it cost to put a song on Spotify?

The cost of putting your song on spotify can vary depending on the music distribution service you choose. The following are some general points to consider:

• Distribution service fees : To get their music on Spotify, most artists use a music distribution service. For example, DistroKid, TuneCore, and CD Baby typically charge an annual or one-time fee to distribute your music across multiple platforms, including Spotify. These fees can range between $20 and $50 per release, depending on the service and features you select.
• Subscription plans : Some distribution services provide various subscription plans with numerous features. Higher-tier plans may include extra services such as faster release times, unlimited uploads, or more comprehensive analytics. The cost of these plans can have an impact on your overall expenses.
• Spotify for artists : It’s free to claim and manage your artist profile on Spotify for Artists, but it’s an important step in promoting your music. Spotify for artists offers useful insights, promotional tools, and the ability to personalize your artist page.

How long does it take for the music to be available on Spotify after uploading?

Your music or content will take some time to be available on Spotify after uploading it to a distribution service and completing the submission process. The distribution service requires time to review and process your submission, which can take anywhere from a few days to a few weeks depending on the service and their workload. If you specify a release date, your music will not be available on Spotify until that date. Once your music has been sent to Spotify by your distribution service, Spotify performs additional processing, which typically takes a few days. The entire process, from submission to Spotify availability, can take anywhere from a week to a few weeks. It’s best to plan your release ahead of time, considering any specific launch dates or promotional activities you have in mind. For accurate information, always refer to timelines provided by your chosen distribution service.

Best music distributors to get your music on Spotify

DistroKid

DistroKid is well-known for its ease of use and low cost. The distribution site provides unlimited uploads for a yearly fee, making it an excellent option for artists who release frequently. DistroKid offers features such as Spotify for Artists verification and quick distribution to major platforms such as Spotify. Its strength lies in its user-friendly interface and affordability.

Stem

Stem distinguishes itself through a novel revenue-sharing model, making it especially appealing for collaborations. It allows musicians to distribute their music while directly splitting profits with collaborations. This feature is useful for project teams with multiple contributors. Stem also offers insightful analytics to assist artists in better understanding their streaming performance.

CD Baby

CD Baby is a music distribution veteran that provides comprehensive services in addition to digital distribution. CD Baby provides physical CD distribution, sync licensing opportunities, and access to promotional tools to artists. CD Baby’s extensive industry experience is reflected in its commitment to assisting independent musicians at various stages of their careers.

TuneCore

TuneCore is well-known for its extensive distribution network, which includes Spotify, iTunes, Amazon, and others. While it operates on a pay-per-release model, TuneCore Social provides valuable analytics and promotional tools. This service is appropriate for artists looking for broad exposure and a comprehensive set of distribution-related features.

LANDR

LANDR combines distribution services with AI-based music mastering. Artists can use LANDR for both mastering their tracks and distributing them to platforms such as Spotify. This all-in-one solution can be appealing to people looking for efficiency and quality. LANDR also emphasizes its commitment to helping artists navigate the music industry effectively.

Ditto Music

Ditto Music distinguishes itself through its global distribution network and artist-friendly approach. Beyond distribution, Ditto Music provides a variety of services such as chart eligibility, sync licensing opportunities, and playlist pitching. Artists seeking clarity in their financial transactions appreciate Ditto Music’s transparent pricing model.