Getting a song onto Spotify, Apple Music, TikTok and hundreds of other platforms no longer needs a record label. Independent artists use a music distributor to deliver their releases, collect royalties and keep ownership of their work. This guide explains how that process works from the first upload to the first payout.

What a music distributor does

Streaming services do not accept uploads directly from most artists. A distributor sits between you and the stores. It checks your audio, artwork and metadata, packages the release in the format each platform expects, delivers it, and then collects the sales and streaming reports that come back. With SpaceMedia you manage all of that from one account and can deliver to 250+ platforms, including streaming stores, social platforms and regional services.

What independent distribution means for your rights

Independent distribution is not a record deal. You keep ownership of your recordings and compositions, and you decide when and where your music is released. The distributor works on your behalf to deliver the music and pass on the royalties the platforms report. Always read how a distributor handles royalties and fees before you sign up; SpaceMedia lists its plans and what each one includes on the pricing page.

What you need before you upload

• A finished master. A stereo WAV file is the safest choice. FLAC and other common formats are also accepted.
• Cover art. A square image without logos, URLs, social handles or store names. Read our cover art requirements guide before you design it.
• Accurate metadata. Artist name, track titles, featured artists, songwriter credits with first and last names, genre and language.
• Identifiers. Each track needs an ISRC and each release needs a UPC. If you do not have them, SpaceMedia can assign them for you. See ISRC and UPC codes explained.
• Rights to everything in the song. Licences for any beats, samples or cover songs you used.

How a release moves from upload to stores

1. Create your account. Register for free and set up your artist profile.
2. Build the release. Upload your audio and artwork, add credits and choose a release date.
3. Quality review. SpaceMedia reviews every release for audio, artwork, metadata and rights issues. Review times depend on your plan.
4. Delivery. Once approved, the release is sent to the platforms you selected. Each store then runs its own processing, so publication dates can vary by platform.
5. Reporting and payouts. Platforms report streams and sales after the activity happens. Earnings appear in your account as reports arrive.

Choosing a release date

Give yourself time. Submitting several weeks ahead leaves room for review, store processing, playlist pitching and pre-save campaigns. If you submit very close to your preferred date, some platforms may publish later than planned. Our six-week release timeline shows how to use that time well.

Common mistakes to avoid

• Putting featured artists in the track title instead of the credits.
• Using a different spelling of your artist name from one release to the next, which can split your catalogue across several profiles.
• Uploading artwork with text like "Out now" or a streaming logo.
• Releasing songs that use samples or beats you have not licensed.

Start releasing

Distribution is the foundation of an independent career: once your releases are live and correctly credited, every stream, playlist add and fan follow builds on it. Create your free SpaceMedia account and get your next release ready for the platforms your listeners use.