{"id":224200,"date":"2025-06-24T15:07:35","date_gmt":"2025-06-24T19:07:35","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/thegeorgiasun.com\/?p=224200"},"modified":"2025-06-24T17:34:40","modified_gmt":"2025-06-24T21:34:40","slug":"how-to-release-music-on-spotify-and-other-streaming-platforms","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/thegeorgiasun.com\/?p=224200","title":{"rendered":"How To Release Music on Spotify and Other Streaming Platforms"},"content":{"rendered":"\n<p>So, you want to release music, but don&#8217;t know how to get your tunes out there?<br><br>Well, releasing music today isn\u2019t just about hitting an upload button, it\u2019s about presenting your sound professionally, getting it on all the major platforms, and setting yourself up for long-term growth as an artist. <br><br>Whether you\u2019re dropping your first track or your 10th, this step-by-step guide will walk you through everything you need to release your music on Spotify and other digital stores the right way.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">1. Prepare your music<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>Record and mix your music to your liking. This can be done through paid or free mixing platforms. <\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Here are some free mixing softwares:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.cakewalk.com\/\">Cakewalk<\/a> by Bandlab &#8211; Supported by Windows; Professional-level DAW, multitrack mixing, VST support<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.tracktion.com\/\">Tracktion<\/a> &#8211; Supported by Win\/Mac\/Linux; Full-featured free DAW, unlimited tracks, pro tools<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.audacityteam.org\/\">Audacity<\/a> &#8211; Supported by Win\/Mac\/Linux; Good for audio editing and basic mixing; free, open-source<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/lmms.io\/\">LMMS<\/a> &#8211; Supported by Win\/Mac\/Linux; Great for beat making and synth-based production<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.apple.com\/mac\/garageband\/\">GarageBand<\/a> &#8211; Supported by macOS\/iOS; Easy to use, ideal for Apple users; great built-in instruments and loops<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p>If you&#8217;ve got no storage space or downloading isn&#8217;t your thing here are so free web browser options:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.soundtrap.com\/musicmakers\">Soundtrap<\/a> (by spotify) &#8211; Online DAW, multitrack mixing, loops, real-time collaboration<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.bandlab.com\/\">BandLab<\/a> &#8211; Cloud-based studio, MIDI, effects, auto-mastering, collab tools<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.audiotool.com\/\">Audiotool<\/a> &#8211;  Browser-based with virtual synths, effects, and community sharing<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/soundation.com\/\">Soundation<\/a> &#8211; Great for beginners, has templates, real-time collab<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/ampedstudio.com\/\">Amped Studio<\/a> &#8211; Combines audio + MIDI, browser-based with VST support (some limitations)<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p>If you\u2019re new to mixing:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>Try BandLab or Soundtrap for online mixing\u2014they&#8217;re very user-friendly and don\u2019t require powerful computers.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>If you&#8217;re on Mac, GarageBand is your best bet.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>For Windows, Cakewalk is one of the most powerful free DAWs available.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p>Create high resolution cover art for your upcoming release. <\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Gather the metadata, you&#8217;ll need the title(s), genre, release date, songwriter credits, etc,.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">2. Choose a digital distributor<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>Unfortunately, most music platforms, other than SoundCloud, Audiomack, and Bandcamp, require third party involvement to upload music. So here are your top options:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/distrokid.com\/\">DistroKid<\/a> &#8211; For an annual fee of $24.99, you&#8217;ll be able to have unlimited released, retain 100% of the royalties, fast, reliable, and a Spotify-listing partner.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.tunecore.com\/\">TuneCore<\/a> &#8211; With a low annual price of $22.99, easy split pay for all contributors with no commission fee, keep 100% of ownership of your own music, and the ability to distribute your music to +150 additional digital store and streaming services.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/cdbaby.com\/cd-baby-cost\/\">CD Baby<\/a> &#8211; No subscription fees, release an album or a single for $9.99, distribution to +150 global platforms, monetization with YouTube Content ID, and fast pass verification on major streaming services. <\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.landr.com\/?srsltid=AfmBOorGgsKcOZqVXwzct-_avaoz2co83Fo67C2noD0By_te6uPlpS9n\">LANDR<\/a> &#8211; Starts at $8.25 a month, Unlimited AI mastering, up to 2400 roylaty free samples per year, 40+ effects adn instrument plugins, and 200+ online music courses.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p>\ud83d\udca1 <strong>Tip:<\/strong> Submit your release 2\u20134 weeks ahead of your desired launch date to allow for distribution and editorial playlist consideration.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">3. Set up Spotify for artists<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>Once your music is in Spotify\u2019s system via a distributor:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ol class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>Go to <a href=\"https:\/\/artists.spotify.com\">Spotify for Artists<\/a>.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Claim your profile by verifying via your distributor or by searching your artist name.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Customize your profile\u2014add picture, bio, and tour or merch links.<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">4. Upload and schedule your release<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>Through your chosen distributor, upload WAV files, artwork, metadata, and set your release date. Enable pre-save campaigns to grow followers and boost algorithmic performance.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">5. Submit to Spotify editorial playlists<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>In Spotify for Artists, under the \u201cMusic \u2192 Upcoming\u201d tab, submit your track for editorial consideration at least 1\u20132 weeks before the release. Editorial playlists are Spotify playlists which are hand picked by Spotify staff and are a great way to get exposure. Think<em> RapCaviar<\/em>, <em>New Music Friday<\/em>, <em>Fresh Finds<\/em>, and<em> Viva Latino<\/em>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">6. Promote your music!<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>Pre release:<\/strong> share teasers, behind-the-scenes clips, countdowns, and pre-saves links online. Consider reaching out to other artists for collaborations for a wider audience reach. <\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>On release:<\/strong> Use Spotify&#8217;s campaign kit tools- canvas videos, marquee ads, promo cards- to enhance visibility. Post across all social medias, go live, share links and thank the early listeners.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>Post release:<\/strong> monitor your performance and continue to promote your music through social media content, remixes, merch, live gigs, and targeted ads. <\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Quick Launch Checklist<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<table width=\"100%\" cellpadding=\"0\" cellspacing=\"0\" class=\"wp-block-newsletterglue-list ng-block\" style=\"color:#333333\"><tbody><tr><td class=\"ng-block-td\" style=\"font-size:19px;font-family:Arial;line-height:1.6;font-weight:normal;padding-top:15px;padding-bottom:15px;padding-left:40px;padding-right:20px;color:#333333\"><ol class=\"wp-block-newsletterglue-list\">\n<li class=\"ng-block\" style=\"padding-bottom:0px\">Finalize music (mix and master)<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li class=\"ng-block\" style=\"padding-bottom:0px\">Design artwork (3000&#215;3000 px)<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li class=\"ng-block\" style=\"padding-bottom:0px\">Choose a distributor and upload<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li class=\"ng-block\" style=\"padding-bottom:0px\">Claim Spotify for artists<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li class=\"ng-block\" style=\"padding-bottom:0px\">Enable pre-saves, schedule and submit tracks<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li class=\"ng-block\" style=\"padding-bottom:0px\">Promote your music<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li class=\"ng-block\" style=\"padding-bottom:0px\">Track performance and plan your next release<\/li>\n<\/ol><\/td><\/tr><\/tbody><\/table>\n\n\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>So, you want to release music, but don&#8217;t know how to get your tunes out there? Well, releasing music today isn\u2019t just about hitting an upload button, it\u2019s about presenting your sound professionally, getting it on all the major platforms, and setting yourself up for long-term growth as an artist. Whether you\u2019re dropping your first [&hellip;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":947,"featured_media":224283,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"newspack_featured_image_position":"behind","newspack_post_subtitle":"","newspack_article_summary_title":"Overview:","newspack_article_summary":"","newspack_hide_updated_date":false,"newspack_show_updated_date":false,"footnotes":""},"categories":[3513],"tags":[9262,16835],"class_list":["post-224200","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-tips-and-knowledge","tag-music","tag-spotify","entry"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/thegeorgiasun.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/224200","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/thegeorgiasun.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/thegeorgiasun.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/thegeorgiasun.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/users\/947"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/thegeorgiasun.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcomments&post=224200"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/thegeorgiasun.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/224200\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/thegeorgiasun.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/224283"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/thegeorgiasun.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fmedia&parent=224200"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/thegeorgiasun.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcategories&post=224200"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/thegeorgiasun.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Ftags&post=224200"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}