How to Distribute Your Own Music: A Guide for Independent Artists

Releasing your music into the world is easier today than ever before. Thanks to digital distribution, independent artists no longer need a major record label to reach global audiences. With the right tools and strategy, you can put your music on Spotify, Apple Music, YouTube, and dozens of other platforms—all while keeping control of your career.

1. Understand What Music Distribution Is

Music distribution is the process of getting your songs from your studio (or laptop) to the listening platforms your audience uses. In the past, distribution meant physical CDs or vinyl. Today, digital distributors handle the process of sending your tracks to streaming services like Spotify, Deezer, Tidal, and online stores like iTunes or Amazon Music.

2. Choose the Right Distributor

• DistroKid – Fast uploads, affordable yearly fee, unlimited releases.
• CD Baby – One-time fee per release, strong publishing and sync options.
• TuneCore – Annual fees, widely recognized, useful for more advanced artists.
• Amuse – Free tier available, with optional premium upgrades.
• LANDR – Distribution plus mastering services.

👉 When choosing a distributor, compare fees, royalty splits, speed of distribution, and extra features (like YouTube Content ID or publishing admin).

3. Prepare Your Music Properly

• Final mix and master – Ensure your song is polished and balanced.
• Correct audio format – Usually WAV, 16-bit/44.1 kHz.
• High-quality cover art – At least 3000×3000 pixels, JPG or PNG.
• Metadata – Title, artist name, release date, songwriter/producer credits.

4. Upload and Set Your Release Date

Once your assets are ready, log into your distributor’s dashboard and:

1. Upload your audio files.
2. Upload cover art.
3. Enter metadata (title, credits, genre, etc.).
4. Choose the release date. (Pro tip: Schedule at least 2–3 weeks ahead so you have time to pitch your track to playlists.)

5. Collect Royalties

Your distributor will collect royalties from streams, downloads, and sometimes YouTube Content ID or TikTok usage. Make sure your payment details are correct (PayPal, bank transfer, or other methods).

To maximize your income, also consider registering with:

• PROs (Performance Rights Organizations) like BMI, ASCAP, or your local society.
• The MLC or SoundExchange for digital performance royalties.

6. Promote Your Release

Distribution gets your music onto platforms, but promotion gets listeners to press play. Some proven strategies include:

• Share your release link across all social media.
• Create a pre-save campaign before launch.
• Submit to Spotify editorial and independent playlist curators.
• Upload a lyric video or music video to YouTube.
• Send your press release to music blogs and local media.

Final Thoughts

Distributing your own music puts you in charge of your career. You control when and how your songs are released, and you keep more of your royalties. Start small, learn as you go, and remember: consistent releases and smart promotion are the keys to building a loyal audience.

With the right distributor and a clear plan, your music can reach the world—without waiting for a record label to give you permission.