How to Put Music on Spotify Without Distributor: A Step-by-Step Guide

March 21, 2024

Many users ask an important question: how to get music on spotify without a distributor, which should be studied thoroughly. Thanks to cooperation, a young artist can license and distribute their work. Especially those who are just starting to write music and want to achieve success as quickly as possible.

This is why it is important to understand the role of a music distributor as soon as possible. This is a unique opportunity for an artist to connect with streaming platforms and start broadcasting their creativity to the masses commercially. We tell you all about the benefits and features of working with a distributor and what you need to know before you start distributing.

 

The Role of Music Distributors

In most cases, you will need the support and cooperation of a professional company that can publish mash-up music to streaming platforms. Through this, you can finally monetize your creativity and get clear statistics. Therefore, the role of a music distributor boils down to the following:

  • Licensing. These companies help you get licenses to distribute the music legally on all platforms;
  • Distribution. Most often, specialists on the distributor’s side are engaged in uploading tracks to services, managing their distribution;
  • Monetization. The distributor’s team also keeps a close eye on the tracks to ensure that the tracks bring in cash for the artist and passes the collected funds to the artist, except for their commission;
  • Analytics. Another important feature is providing the artist with listening and revenue data.

By understanding these collaboration features, you can decide to start working together or evaluate alternatives.

 

Publishing Music on Spotify With Distributors

This way of publishing will be the most simple for a young artist. It is enough just to follow the step-by-step instructions:

  1. The first step is to choose a distributor. Evaluate the companies according to all criteria and make sure that you can start cooperation. Pay attention to commissions and the availability of the collected data.
  2. Prepare your content for publication. Don’t forget to create artwork, metadata, and other parameters according to Spotify’s requirements.
  3. Artists can then upload their music directly through their distributor’s interface.
  4. Once published, you’ll be able to track the final stats for the track.

Thanks to cooperation, you can focus on your creativity and give the distributor all the organizational aspects of a commission.

 

Alternative Routes to Spotify Without a Distributor

It is also possible to work independently, refusing the additional services of a professional company. Such options for direct cooperation with young artists are less popular, as you need to spend time and study everything yourself. But still, there is such an opportunity:

  • direct placement. Through affiliate programs, you can get access to direct placement, but most often, this option is not available for independent artists;
  • specialized platforms. There are separate sites where you can place on Spotify for a nominal fee or for free. This opens up more opportunities for aspiring musicians;
  • self-distribution. It is also possible to network directly, but this will require significant industry connections.

All such options require a high focus on the artist’s part. You need to take the initiative, learn about all the terms and conditions, and be prepared to handle any problems. But you also get much more control over your popularity and music; you don’t have to pay additional fees.

 

Step-by-Step Guide to Uploading Music Without a Distributor

Here’s a little instruction:

  1. Prepare your music. Create covers, and make sure your music follows the platform’s rules.
  2. Register as an artist. This will give you access to tools and analytics capabilities.
  3. Find a way to upload. Use one of the destinations we listed earlier.
  4. Track your results.

This allows you to get a new audience and monetize your creativity.

 

Selecting a Distribution Service

You can also simply try to choose a distribution option that suits you in the form of a specialized service. You will need to consider a few basic criteria:

  • Cost. Find the right service with transparent pricing that will fit your budget;
  • Support services. Evaluate how quickly you can be helped and what recommendations the specialists can give you;
  • Ease of use. The interface should be clear and simple so you can upload tracks and control your releases;
  • Reviews. Additionally, look at user reviews to make sure the platform is honest.

By choosing the right platform, you can leave all the technicalities to the experts and concentrate on your creativity.

 

Preparing Your Music for Release

There are a few of the most important steps in preparing music for release. Here are a few of the basic steps:

  1. Mastering. To ensure sound quality on any platforms or devices, it’s best to trust the experts with professional mastering.
  2. Metadata. Prepare all the necessary data for your music so users can easily identify you. This includes the title, artist, genre, and ISRC codes.
  3. Cover art. An attractive, professional cover will be required to be your promotional face. Be sure to comply with Spotify’s requirements.
  4. Schedule a release date and wait until release to see the results.

Treat this task with the utmost care and responsibility so that the music is uploaded without technical errors. Your audience will appreciate this, as they want to get the finished material without any hassle.

 

The Verification and Promotion Process

The question of how to upload music to spotify without a distributor also involves looking into the topic of checking your performance. To do this, you will find it easiest to pay attention to a few important aspects:

  • verification. Ensure your music meets all the rules and is approved for publication. This most often takes a few days;
  • Promotion. Take advantage of various platforms and social networks to inform your audience about the release of the track;
  • playlists. Try to get on various playlists to increase the number of listens;
  • reviews. Analyze the data and feedback you receive to understand what development strategies are currently available to you.

Through all of this, you will be able to ensure that your track is effectively promoted and shared with your audience.

 

Advantages and Considerations

In general, when sending music to release, you need to realize that there are a large number of features that you should consider. Here are a few of the main benefits of self-release:

  • Control. You will be able to have full control over the distribution of your music, choose platforms, and set the price;
  • Revenue. You won’t have to pay distributors’ commissions, which means you’ll be able to make more money for yourself;
  • Flexibility. You can choose promotional strategies that are right for you and use marketing the way you want.

At the same time, it can be said that the platform itself should fulfill your requirements. You cannot forget about marketing and promotion and ignore administrative tasks. Only then will you be able to successfully release your track.

 

Conclusion

In conclusion, we can once again say that every artist has the opportunity to upload their music to Spotify independently, choosing an independent way. To do so, you must comply with all the points listed in the article and be responsible for all technical and organizational aspects.

An alternative is to work with a professional distributor like Music Alligator. This way, you can concentrate on your creativity and leave all administrative problems to the professionals.

The choice is yours, so we recommend weighing all the arguments and deciding!

Christopher

Christopher

Christopher is a seasoned music industry professional and the visionary behind Music Alligator, a platform dedicated to helping independent artists and labels navigate the complexities of music distribution in the digital age. With over 15 years of experience in music production, distribution, and marketing, Christopher has witnessed firsthand the evolution of the music industry and the rise of digital platforms that have transformed how music is shared and discovered.

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