How to Distribute Your Music as an Independent Artist

Music distribution has been revolutionized in recent years. Today, any independent musician can place their music on Spotify, Apple Music, Deezer and hundreds of other platforms without going through a record label.

In this comprehensive guide, we'll cover all the steps to distribute your music professionally.

What is Digital Music Distribution?

Digital music distribution consists of making your music available on streaming platforms (Spotify, Apple Music, Deezer, Amazon Music, YouTube Music, etc.) and download stores (iTunes, Amazon, etc.).

Why It's Essential in 2026

• 90% of music revenue comes from streaming
• Over 600 million users on streaming platforms
• No label required to access these platforms
• Recurring revenue with every stream

Prerequisites Before Distributing

Before submitting your music, make sure you have:

1. High-Quality Audio Files

• Format: WAV 16-bit/44.1kHz minimum (24-bit recommended)
• Mastering: Normalized to -14 LUFS (Spotify standard)
• No clipping: Peaks below -1 dB

💡 Timbry Tip: Our free AI mastering tool automatically normalizes your tracks to Spotify standards.

2. Professional Artwork

• Dimensions: 3000x3000 pixels minimum
• Format: JPG or PNG, RGB
• Resolution: 300 DPI
• Content: No platform logos, no URLs

3. Complete Metadata

• Exact artist name
• Track/album title
• Music genre
• Desired release date
• Lyrics (optional but recommended)

Distribution Steps

Step 1: Choose a Distributor

Several options are available:

Step 2: Prepare Your Release

1. Upload your audio files (WAV preferred)
2. Add your artwork
3. Fill in the metadata
4. Choose a release date (minimum 2 weeks in advance)

Step 3: Get Your ISRC Codes

The ISRC (International Standard Recording Code) is the unique identifier for each recording. It's mandatory for distribution.

On Timbry, ISRC codes are generated for free for each track.

Step 4: Submit to Platforms

Your distributor automatically sends your music to:

• Spotify
• Apple Music
• Deezer
• Amazon Music
• YouTube Music
• Tidal
• And 50+ other platforms

Step 5: Wait for Approval

Timeframes vary by platform:

• Spotify: 3-5 business days
• Apple Music: 1-3 days
• Deezer: 1-2 days

Maximizing Your Chances of Success

Pitch to Spotify Playlists

Submit your track to editorial teams at least 7 days before release via Spotify for Artists.

Create Your Pre-save

Allow your fans to save your track before release to boost first-day streams.

Prepare Your Promotion

• Social media teasers
• Newsletter to your fan base
• Press release if relevant

Mistakes to Avoid

1. Releasing without a scheduled date: Plan at least 2 weeks ahead
2. Neglecting metadata: It impacts your discoverability
3. Forgetting mastering: Unmastered sound will get fewer plays
4. Ignoring ISRC codes: Required for royalties

Conclusion

Music distribution is now accessible to all independent musicians. With the right tools and proper preparation, you can place your music alongside the biggest artists on all platforms.

Ready to distribute your music? Create your free Timbry account and get started today.

Have questions about distribution? Contact our team