Sarah Jacobson Spotify has been the go-to music streaming service for decades. With over 40 million active users, it’s not hard to see why. However, the company is facing a problem – its listeners are getting sick of paying for mediocre content.
Distrokid is a service that allows users to upload their music to Spotify. It’s an easy and affordable way for artists to get their music on Spotify.
It has never been simpler to become an independent music artist than it is in the year 2021. The music industry has evolved dramatically as a result of technological advances and the internet. This is why it’s critical for a developing artist to have their music available on streaming services like Spotify and Apple Music. Here’s the simplest way for any prospective independent musician to submit songs to Spotify and Apple Music.
I use a distribution service called “DistroKid” for all of my music uploading requirements.
To receive 7% off your first year, click the picture below to be taken to the DistroKid website.
Why a Music Distribution Service Is Necessary:
Before we get into DistroKid and its wonderful features, let’s talk about why you’ll need such a service in the first place. You’ll need a distributor to submit your music to Spotify, Apple Music, online radios, and shops, unlike free streaming sites like SoundCloud and YouTube (iTunes, Amazon, Google Play.) Keep in mind that you’ll have to pay for one of these music distribution services, so be prepared to put money down if you want to take the next step in your career as an independent musician.
However, keep in mind that this does enable you to get your music on these streaming services and allows you to be paid for all of your plays.
You may make money from your music on Soundcloud and YouTube if you qualify for their monetization schemes (SoundCloud Premier/YouTube Partner Program). These programs need you to meet specific requirements, which we’ll go over in more detail in a later post. Let’s speak about DistroKid now.
What exactly is DistroKid?
To put it another way, DistroKid serves as a mediator between you and online music shops. They’ll distribute your music and take care of any licensing issues. You can’t simply create a Spotify Artist account and start uploading your songs, as we stated before. It’ll look somewhat like this:
This frees you up to concentrate on creating music while DistroKid takes care of the technical aspects of music distribution. As an artist, you may maintain your independence while also keeping a larger portion of your profits.
The Benefits of Using DistroKid Instead of Other Music Distribution Services
The Price
Other music distribution platforms, such as Tunecore, Ditto, and CD Baby, are accessible; nevertheless, the reason we chose DistroKid above others is the value for money. Distribution providers, such as the ones we mentioned, are considerably more expensive since you frequently have to pay each song or album upload.
On the other side, DistroKid’s most inexpensive option is a $20 yearly subscription for unlimited single/album uploads for the whole year. Remember that this price is just for one artist. Other providers charge about $10 for a single upload and up to $30 for a full album. If you’re just starting out in the music industry, that money may go a long way.
Interface that is easy to use
Another reason I choose DistroKid is its user-friendly UI. The user interface is straightforward and easy to use, making it suitable for all users. To get started, just create an account and begin uploading.
I was blown away by how simple it was to browse around DistroKid when I first joined up. You simply press the upload button, enter your song’s details, submit your audio file and album cover image, and you’re done!
It will take some time to disseminate your music to all platforms and online stores; however, Spotify and Apple Music will get your songs reasonably quickly. This is ideal for us since those platforms are where we want to distribute our songs.
Tabs for navigation
The navigation tabs on DistroKid are extremely simple to use. You may start sharing your music at any moment using the “Upload tab.” To keep track of all of your uploaded songs and albums, go to the “My Music Tab.” Following that is the “Teams tab,” which allows you to set up automatic payments when working with other artists, musicians, and producers. The “Stats” page provides useful information about your songs’ performance. Then there’s the “Bank tab,” which allows you to keep track of all your profits.
There’s also a “More tab” with even more excellent features, which we’ll go over in the following part.
Growth-Inducing Features
DistroKid offers a number of useful tools that aid the growth of independent musicians. They’re something I personally utilize everytime I release a new song. What I like most about them is how simple they are to use and how effective they are in promoting your music. Let’s have a look at them.
Landing Pages using HyperFollow
The option to create landing pages for your music is probably one of my favorite DistroKid features. This makes it simple to create a page with a link to pre-save your new music on Spotify, as well as connections to your other social media and streaming sites. Users may also follow your artist page on Spotify as a result of this. You may utilize landing pages to advertise your songs before they are released and to create excitement among your fans.
When tracks are pre-saved, they will immediately add your music to their playlist on the day of release. This helps offer you a bump in streams right away, giving the system more chances to pick up your new music.
Promotional Cards
Another tool I like utilizing to promote my music is the free Promo Cards. DistroKid makes it simple to generate promotional cards for use on various social media sites. All you have to do is choose from a number of design choices, and DistroKid will take care of the rest. In a matter of seconds, you’ll have a nice-looking promo card to utilize. Take a peek at some of the examples below!
Licenses for Cover Songs
It doesn’t have to be tough to get a cover license. This procedure is made much simpler with DistroKid, which allows you to post cover songs to any streaming platform and online music shop. Although purchasing a cover license via DistroKid is costly, I like not having to worry about all of the technical details.
Uploading a cover song with all of the necessary licenses costs $12 per year. It’s essential to bear in mind that getting your cover music disseminated takes a bit longer. Plan ahead of time and upload early if you want to set a release date for your cover.
On DistroKid, you keep 100% of your earnings.
As previously said, every stream you get on your music earns you money. You retain 100% of your profits with DistroKid, unlike many other music distribution platforms. Just bear in mind that being paid for your music may take up to three months. Simply connect your banking account to your DistroKid profile and you’re ready to go!
Plan that is suggested (Musician Plus)
While the “Musician Plan,” which costs $20 per year, is the most inexpensive, we prefer DistroKid’s Musician Plus plan. It will cost you approximately $36 each year, but the advantages and features you will get are well worth the additional $16 you will have to pay yearly.
This package covers two artists, but if you’re a single performer, this won’t be an issue. The ability to specify a customized release date/preorder date for your song’s release is a feature you’ll certainly notice. If you want to market your songs so that they have a greater chance of becoming successful, being able to choose the release date is crucial.
You’ll have more time to develop and execute your marketing strategy, providing you the chance to put your song on the road to success. There’s also the option of customizing the label name for your song.
Instead of “DistroKid,” your label name will appear in the song information on the sites where you post. A great personal touch that gives your uploads more personality.
Important Points to Remember
Prepare ahead of time and upload your music as soon as possible.
DistroKid is a fantastic tool for getting your music into streaming services, but make sure you prepare ahead. Try to submit your music at least one week ahead of your scheduled release date, but I suggest allowing yourself a month. This guarantees that you can deal with any uploading problems that may occur. Delays with retailers and streaming platforms, as well as cover licensing delays, are the major problems that I would be worried about.
It’s also a good idea to allow yourself extra time to promote your song’s release, as we stated before. The more time you allow yourself, the more likely you are to have a good discharge.
Expectations that are realistic
Set reasonable goals for yourself, particularly in terms of revenue from your streams. Unless you acquire a lot of streams, you won’t be able to make a lot of money from them alone. For any emerging artist, just being able to have their music available on Spotify, Apple Music, and other streaming services is crucial.
Almost everyone nowadays listens to music through internet streaming services. The first step in being a successful independent musician is to get your music out there. After that, you may use social media sites like TikTok, YouTube, and Instagram to expand your following. When it comes to expanding your fan base, be innovative and constantly be willing to try new things.
Consider purchasing a song’s “Legacy License.”
When you use DistroKid to upload a new music, you have the option of purchasing a Legacy License. This is a one-time payment of $30 per single, which allows you to keep your music on streaming services FOREVER without having to pay any further costs. If your music is getting a lot of attention, this is a good choice. Consider doing so since it may be worthwhile in the long term.
Last Thoughts
When it comes to uploading my songs to streaming services like Spotify, Apple Music, and others, DistroKid has been very helpful! The convenience, constant upgrades and new features, and general simplicity of use are the reasons why I continue to use this music sharing service. I hope that this post has given you a better understanding of DistroKid and why you should use it.
Get 7% off your first year with DistroKid if you click this link.
Additional Articles
Spotify is a popular music streaming service that allows you to listen to your favorite songs from anywhere. The upload music to all platforms free is an affordable way for people who don’t have the money to pay the monthly fee.
Frequently Asked Questions
How do I upload songs to Spotify 2021?
To upload songs to Spotify 2021, you must first create a playlist and then add the songs in that playlist to your Spotify account.
How do I upload music to Spotify without paying?
Unfortunately, there is no way to upload music without paying for it on Spotify.
Can I upload music directly to Spotify?
Yes, you can upload your music to Spotify.
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