Music distribution is how your songs get onto Spotify, Apple Music, TikTok, YouTube Music, and 100+ other platforms worldwide. As an independent artist you don’t need a label for this — distributors like DistroKid, TuneCore, CD Baby, and UnitedMasters put your music everywhere for a flat fee or annual subscription while you keep your rights.
Pick your distributor based on what matters to you: DistroKid is fast and cheap for high-volume releasers; TuneCore charges per release but has strong publishing admin; CD Baby takes a cut but offers sync licensing pitches. Always opt into YouTube Content ID and TikTok distribution — user-generated content is free promotion that also pays. Upload with proper metadata, ISRC codes, and high-quality artwork.
Release Strategy That Works
Plan releases 3–4 weeks out so you can pitch to Spotify editorial playlists. Release singles consistently instead of sitting on an album for a year — the algorithm rewards momentum. Pre-save campaigns, short-form video teasers, and emailing your list on release day drive the first-week numbers that trigger algorithmic playlists like Release Radar and Discover Weekly.
Don’t sleep on direct-to-fan either. Bandcamp lets you sell music and merch with far better margins than streaming, and your email list is the only audience you truly own — algorithms change, inboxes don’t. Set a release cadence you can sustain: one single every 4–6 weeks beats one album a year for algorithmic momentum. Each release is a reason to contact your fans, pitch playlists, and create content. Consistency compounds, and the distributor you chose in step one handles the global plumbing while you focus on the music.
About the Author – Ruben Burgos: Ruben Burgos brings over 25 years of music expertise and more than 15 years of model guidance to the table. He is the indie major pinnacle to retaining credits for musicians and helping them navigate this wicked industry without the fuckery.