How to Publish Your Music: A Guide to Distribution and Songwriting Royalties
- David Poznansky
- Jun 30
- 14 min read
So, you've poured your heart and soul into creating your music. The tracks are mixed, mastered, and ready for the world. But what’s the next step? How do you get your songs from your hard drive onto platforms like Spotify and Apple Music, and—just as importantly—how do you make sure you get paid for it?
This is where things can get a little confusing. To publish your music correctly, you need to understand two key concepts: music distribution and music publishing. They sound similar, but they are completely different processes that manage different parts of your music and generate separate streams of income. Getting a handle on both is the real secret to turning your art into a sustainable career.
Your Path from Creation to Global Release
Let's clear up the biggest point of confusion right away: getting your music on Spotify is distribution, while collecting royalties for your songwriting is music publishing. They are not the same thing. They represent two separate income streams and need to be handled differently. Honestly, understanding this distinction is the first major hurdle for most independent artists. Once you get this, everything else starts to click into place.
Music distribution is purely about logistics. It’s the process of getting your actual sound recording—the master track—and your artwork to all the digital stores and streaming services (DSPs) like Spotify, Apple Music, Amazon Music, and hundreds of others.
Think of your distributor as a digital trucking service. They pick up your finished product (the master recording) and deliver it to the virtual shelves of every important online music store worldwide.
Music publishing, on the other hand, is all about the business side of your song's composition. This deals with the underlying melody and lyrics you wrote. Every single time that composition is streamed, sold, performed live, played on the radio, or used in a TikTok video, it generates publishing royalties for the songwriter.
Distribution vs. Publishing at a Glance
To make it even clearer, let's break down the core differences. Think of it as one system handling the recording you made and another handling the song you wrote.
Aspect | Music Distribution | Music Publishing |
|---|---|---|
What it Manages | Your master sound recordings (the actual audio files). | Your musical compositions (the lyrics and melody). |
Main Goal | Getting your tracks onto streaming platforms and digital stores. | Collecting royalties generated by the use of your song's composition. |
Royalties Collected | Streaming and download revenue from the master recording. | Performance royalties, mechanical royalties, and sync fees. |
Key Partners |
Essentially, distribution gets your song heard, while publishing gets you, the songwriter, paid. You absolutely need both running in parallel to collect all the money you're owed.
The Key Players on Your Team
To do this right, you’ll need to partner with a few key players. Each has a specific job in getting your music out there and your money back to you.
Distributor: This is your logistical partner. Companies like DistroKid, TuneCore, or CD Baby take your master recording and send it to all the stores. They then collect the royalties generated from the recording itself and pay them out to you.
Performing Rights Organization (PRO): If you're a songwriter, joining a PRO like ASCAP or BMI is non-negotiable. They track and collect performance royalties whenever your song is played publicly—whether that’s on the radio, in a coffee shop, or streamed on Spotify.
Publishing Administrator: This is the partner many artists miss. A publishing administrator, like Songtrust, goes out and registers your songs all over the world to collect the royalties your PRO can't. This includes mechanical royalties from streams and sales, which are a huge piece of the puzzle.
The bottom line is simple: Distribution gets your recording on Spotify. A PRO and a Publishing Administrator make sure the songwriter gets paid when it's played. You need all three to maximize your earnings.
There's never been a better time to be an independent artist. The global digital music publishing market is projected to be worth around $2.75 billion by 2025, and streaming is the engine driving that growth. This shift gives you the power to bypass the old gatekeepers and build a direct line to your audience—and your earnings. To learn more, you can explore the market dynamics and what they mean for creators.
Preparing Your Music for Professional Release
Trust me, skipping this part is a recipe for disaster. It can get your music flat-out rejected or, worse, released sounding quiet, thin, and completely amateur.
Getting the Sound Right
The absolute first thing you need to handle is professional mastering. Think of it as the final polish and quality control for your audio. It’s not just about cranking up the volume. A great mastering job brings balance, punch, and clarity, making sure your track sits perfectly in a playlist next to chart-toppers. This is what creates a seamless, professional experience for anyone who hits play.
Once the sound is dialed in, you need to export it in the right format. Your distributor won't even look at a low-quality MP3.
File Format: Always, and I mean always, export your final master as a lossless file. WAV is the undisputed industry standard, but some distributors will also take FLAC.
Bit Depth: Your audio should be either 16-bit or 24-bit. I’d recommend going with 24-bit if you can, as it holds more dynamic detail.
Sample Rate: The magic number here is 44.1 kHz. This is standard CD quality and exactly what the streaming services use.
Submitting a track with the wrong specs is one of the most common rookie mistakes. It’s a surefire way to get your release kicked back by your distributor, leading to some seriously frustrating delays.
Crafting Your Visual Identity
Your cover art is the visual handshake for your music. In a crowded feed of new releases, a striking image can be the single thing that makes someone stop scrolling and give your track a listen. It’s that important.
Most distributors and platforms have very specific rules for artwork. The standard is a perfect square, usually 3000 x 3000 pixels, which guarantees it looks sharp on everything from a phone screen to a TV. Your image also needs to be in the RGB color profile—that's the standard for all digital screens. Keep it clean and simple; avoid cramming in a bunch of text or your social media handles, as that can also lead to a rejection.
Organizing Your Essential Data
Finally, it's time to get your data in order. This is your release's metadata, and it's basically the digital DNA of your music. This information is how you get credited, how you get paid, and how your music gets found. Don't rush this part.
Before you even think about uploading, have this information ready to go:
Track Title(s): The exact, correctly capitalized name of every song.
Artist Name(s): Your primary artist name and any featured artists, spelled perfectly.
Genre & Subgenre: Be as specific as you can. This helps platforms put your music in front of the right listeners.
Songwriter & Producer Credits: Make sure everyone who worked on the track is properly acknowledged.
ISRC & UPC Codes: These are the unique fingerprints for your music. An ISRC (International Standard Recording Code) is for an individual track, while a UPC (Universal Product Code) is for the whole release (an album or EP).
A quick tip: Many distributors like TuneCore or DistroKid can generate ISRC and UPC codes for you, often for free or a small fee. Having these codes is absolutely non-negotiable for tracking streams and making sure royalties make their way back to you.
Choosing Your Music Distributor
Picking a music distributor is easily one of the most critical decisions you'll make for your music career. Think of them as your bridge to the world—the partner that gets your tracks onto Spotify, Apple Music, and hundreds of other digital storefronts. It’s easy to get lost in the sea of names like DistroKid, TuneCore, and CD Baby, but the truth is, the "best" one is completely dependent on your goals and how often you plan to release music.
Don't just look at the flashy homepages. You need to get under the hood and understand their business models. Some distributors will charge you a yearly fee to keep your music live, while others take a one-time payment for each single or album. Then there are those that work on commission, taking a small slice of your royalties. There's no right or wrong answer here; it's all about what aligns with your budget and release schedule.
Comparing Distributor Business Models
If you're prolific and plan on dropping a steady stream of singles, an EP, and maybe even an album within a year, a subscription service like DistroKid often makes the most sense financially. You pay a single annual fee for unlimited uploads.
On the flip side, if you're an artist who releases music more sporadically—maybe one big project every couple of years—a per-release model like CD Baby's might be more cost-effective. You pay once, and your music is on the platforms forever without any recurring charges.
It's absolutely essential to read the fine print. This image breaks down what you should be looking for in a hypothetical comparison.
As you can see, a super low upfront cost might hide a less-than-ideal royalty split. If your track suddenly blows up, that could end up costing you a lot more in the long run.
Before you commit, it's a good idea to lay out all the options side-by-side. A simple comparison table can make the differences crystal clear.
Comparing Top Music Distributors
Distributor | Pricing Model | Royalty Split | Key Features |
|---|---|---|---|
DistroKid | Annual Subscription (unlimited uploads) | 100% to artist | Fast delivery, lyric sync, automatic splits |
TuneCore | Annual Fee per Release | 100% to artist | Publishing administration, detailed analytics |
CD Baby | One-Time Fee per Release | 91% to artist | Physical distribution, sync licensing, no recurring fees |
Amuse | Free & Subscription Tiers | 100% on paid plans | Mobile-first, royalty splits, fast lane support |
This is just a starting point, of course. Each service has its own quirks and extra features, so be sure to dig into what matters most to you. Ultimately, the best choice balances cost with the features you'll actually use.
Beyond The Price Tag: What Really Matters
While cost is always a consideration, don't let it be the only one. A cheap distributor with terrible customer service can turn into a genuine nightmare when something goes wrong. And trust me, things can go wrong.
Here are the features you should really be investigating:
Store Network: Do they get your music everywhere you want it to be? This includes the big players, but also international stores and social media libraries for TikTok and Instagram.
Royalty Split: Do you keep 100% of your earnings, or is the distributor taking a percentage? Be crystal clear on this.
Payouts: How easy is it to actually get your hands on your money? Check for minimum payout thresholds and payment methods.
Customer Support: When you hit a snag, how fast can you get a real human to help you? This is more important than most artists realize.
Value-Added Services: Many distributors now offer powerful extras. Look for things like detailed analytics, sync licensing opportunities, and marketing tools.
One of the most critical add-ons to look for is a publishing administration service. This is totally separate from distribution. A pub admin helps you collect your songwriting royalties (mechanicals and performance) from all over the globe—money you'd almost certainly be leaving on the table otherwise.
The global music publishing market was valued at an incredible $7.24 billion in 2024 and is only expected to climb. This shows just how much money is tied up in songwriting copyrights, making a publishing admin an essential partner for any serious artist.
In the end, getting your music distributed is just the first step. The real work begins once it's live. If you're ready to think about promotion, you should check out our deep dive on [how to submit music to Spotify playlists](https://www.artist.tools/post/how-to-submit-music-to-spotify-playlists). A great distributor gets you in the door, but a smart marketing plan is what gets you heard.
Navigating the World of Music Publishing
So, you’ve got your master recordings ready for distribution. But that's only half the battle. While distribution gets your recording onto Spotify, music publishing is the engine that ensures you, the songwriter, get paid for your actual song—the melody and lyrics.
This is a critical distinction. Publishing deals with the copyright of your composition, not the audio file itself. Honestly, overlooking this is like leaving a huge chunk of your money on the table. It's where your long-term earnings are made.
A lot of independent artists I talk to think that just joining a Performing Rights Organization (PRO) like ASCAP or BMI is enough. It's a vital first step, for sure, but it's only one piece of a much larger puzzle.
Your PRO vs. a Publishing Administrator
Let's break this down. Your PRO—whether it's ASCAP, BMI, SESAC in the US, or another society elsewhere—is fantastic at one specific job: collecting performance royalties. They track when your music gets played in public. Think radio, TV, bars, restaurants, and yes, online streams. For any songwriter, signing up is non-negotiable.
But here’s what they don't do: they don’t collect every type of royalty you're owed. This is where a publishing administrator becomes your best friend.
Think of a publishing admin as the business manager for your songs. They pick up where your PRO leaves off and do so much more.
A publishing administrator will typically:
Collect Royalties Globally: They register your songs with collection societies all over the world. This means you get paid when your track is streamed in Germany or played on the radio in Japan.
Chase Down Mechanical Royalties: This is a big one. They go after the mechanical royalties generated every time your song is streamed or downloaded. This is a completely separate (and significant) income stream that PROs just don't touch.
Handle Sync Licensing: They actively pitch your music to music supervisors for use in TV shows, movies, ads, and video games, opening doors to some seriously lucrative opportunities.
Without a publishing administrator, you are almost certainly leaving money on the table. Services like Songtrust or the publishing arms of distributors like TuneCore can fill this gap, taking a commission to hunt down your earnings from every corner of the globe.
The Different Buckets of Publishing Royalties
It’s crucial to know where your money is coming from. Publishing royalties are generally split into three main categories:
Performance Royalties: These come from any public "performance" of your song. This includes streams on Spotify, traditional radio play, when your songs are performed live, and background music on TV.
Mechanical Royalties: These are generated from the reproduction of your song. Every single stream on Spotify or Apple Music generates a tiny mechanical royalty. It also includes physical sales (like vinyl and CDs) and digital downloads.
Synchronization (Sync) Royalties: This is the fee paid to license your song to be "synced" with visual media. Think of a huge Netflix placement, a movie trailer, or a national ad campaign.
The music publishing world isn't just a side hustle; it's a massive, growing industry. The global market is projected to jump from $23.97 billion in 2024 to $34.5 billion by 2032. That's a nearly 44% increase, highlighting just how important it is for artists to get their copyrights in order and collect everything they’re owed in this new digital-first era. You can dive deeper into these trends and market insights.
Getting your publishing set up correctly is probably the single most important thing you can do to build a sustainable career. For a full breakdown, check out our guide on [music publishing and how to create your complete revenue blueprint](https://www.artist.tools/post/music-publishing-how-to-your-complete-revenue-blueprint). If you write your own stuff, it’s an essential read.
After You Hit Publish What Comes Next
So, you did it. Your music is officially out in the world. Hitting that publish button is an incredible feeling, but in a lot of ways, this is where the real work begins. What you do next—the promotion, the data analysis, the fan engagement—is what separates a track that fades away from one that finds its audience. Your journey has shifted from creation to promotion.
First things first, and this is non-negotiable: go claim your artist profiles. Head straight over to Spotify for Artists and Apple Music for Artists. Getting verified on these platforms is free and unlocks a whole suite of powerful tools. Think of it as your new command center for managing your digital footprint.
Your verified artist profiles are way more than just a vanity checkmark. They are your direct line to editorial playlist curators and your primary source for listener data. Neglecting them is like trying to drive a car without a steering wheel.
Once you’re in, your profile becomes a living, breathing space. You can swap out your artist photo, write a bio that actually connects with people, and—most importantly—pitch your upcoming tracks directly to Spotify's editorial team for playlist consideration.
Activating Your Promotional Engine
With your profiles looking sharp, it's time to make some noise. Just dropping a link and hoping for the best is a recipe for disappointment. You need to come at this from multiple angles. After all, nobody will hear your music if you don't tell them it exists.
A solid promotional push should include a few key moves:
Social Media Blitz: Get the word out on all your channels. Use smart links that automatically send fans to their favorite streaming service.
Email Newsletter: Your email list is gold. These are your core supporters, so treat them like insiders with a personal announcement before anyone else.
Blogger and Curator Outreach: Start digging for independent music blogs and playlist curators in your genre. Getting your track on a respected blog like A&R Factory or a single influential playlist can expose your music to thousands of new ears.
Beyond just getting the music out there, optimizing your digital presence is crucial. For instance, using a YouTube Bio Generator can help you craft descriptions that grab attention and pull new listeners into your world. And a quick pro-tip: always personalize your outreach emails. A generic, copy-paste message is a fast track to the trash folder.
Monitoring Performance and Getting Paid
The final piece of this post-release puzzle is tracking what’s working and understanding how you make money. Your distributor’s dashboard is your window into this world. This is where you can watch your streaming numbers, see which playlists are actually driving plays, and pinpoint where your listeners are tuning in from.
This data is invaluable. It tells you who your audience is, shows you what promo efforts are paying off, and helps you make smarter decisions for your next release.
Next to your stream counts, you'll find your royalty statements. It's so important to get a handle on what these numbers actually mean, from mechanicals to performance payouts. To get up to speed, you should check out our insider guide on **what music royalties are and how they work**. This knowledge empowers you to make sure you’re collecting every single cent you’ve earned.
Still Have Questions? Let's Clear Things Up
Diving into music distribution and publishing for the first time? You're going to have questions. It's totally normal. Getting the right answers is what separates a smooth release from a frustrating one, and it's how you make sure you're not leaving your hard-earned money on the table.
Let’s break down some of the most common things artists ask when they’re figuring all this out.
What’s This Going to Cost Me?
The total investment really comes down to the path you choose. For digital distribution, you're usually looking at one of two models: an annual subscription, which might run you $20 to $50 for unlimited uploads, or a simple one-time fee for each single or album you release.
Then there's the publishing side. To collect performance royalties, you'll need to join a Performing Rights Organization (PRO) like BMI or ASCAP, which typically involves a one-time signup fee. If you bring a publishing administrator on board to chase down your global songwriting royalties, they usually work on commission, taking about a 15-20% cut of what they collect for you.
How Long Until My Music Hits Spotify?
This is where planning pays off. Once you hit "submit" in your distributor's dashboard, your music doesn't just instantly appear. It has to go through a review process to make sure all the files and artwork meet the required specs.
Pro Tip: Give yourself a runway. Most distributors will tell you to upload your music at least three to four weeks before your release date. This isn't just a random number. That buffer gives you time for processing and—most importantly—lets you pitch your song to Spotify's official playlists through your Spotify for Artists account.
Honestly, nailing this lead time is one of the most critical parts of any successful release strategy. Don't rush it.
Do I Really Need a Record Label?
Absolutely not. If there’s one game-changing shift in the modern music industry, this is it. The power is back in your hands.
Thanks to a whole world of digital distributors and publishing administrators, independent artists have every tool they need to release their music worldwide. You get to call the shots, maintain 100% creative control, and keep a much, much bigger slice of your royalties. You're the CEO of your own music career now.
Ready to take the driver's seat? artist.tools gives you the data and insights to actually understand your audience, find the playlists that matter, and build momentum on Spotify. Ditch the guesswork and start making moves based on real data at https://artist.tools.
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