Guide
How to Distribute Music
Distribution is how your music gets from your hard drive to Spotify, Apple Music, and 250+ platforms. Here is how it works, and how to pick the distributor that fits your career.
The short version
- A distributor delivers your music to streaming platforms and collects your royalties.
- You do not need a record label to distribute music.
- You keep your masters with most independent distributors. Read the agreement before you sign it.
- Prepare your release at least two weeks before your release date.
- Pick your distributor by how it charges and what it does after delivery.
The steps
- Finish the music. Mastered audio, artwork, and the release details: title, artist name, release date, and songwriter credits.
- Pick a distributor. Flat-fee distributors charge a yearly subscription and let you keep 100%. Commission distributors take a share instead of a fee. Per-release distributors charge once and take a cut.
- Upload and set your date. Give yourself at least two weeks before release. That leaves time for review and for pitching playlists.
- Release and watch where your listeners are. Your streaming numbers show which cities are already listening. That is where you aim your next show.
What to check before you sign
- Who owns the masters. You should keep them. If a deal takes ownership, that is a label deal, not distribution.
- How long the term runs. Nice Set agreements are non-exclusive, with a one-year term per release before it can be moved.
- What happens when you leave. Some distributors take your music down when you stop paying. Some keep it up and take a commission.
- What the distributor does after delivery. Most stop at delivery. Nice Set turns your streaming data into ranked venue picks, and you pitch the venue from the site, find local artists to collab with, and find musicians for your band.
Questions artists ask
Do I need a record label to distribute music?
No. A distributor puts your music on Spotify, Apple Music, and 250+ platforms without a label deal. You keep your masters.
How much does music distribution cost?
It depends on the model. Flat-fee distributors charge a yearly subscription. Commission distributors take a share of your royalties. Nice Set charges no setup fee. You pay 10% of master revenue.
How early should I submit my music?
At least two weeks before your release date. That leaves time for review and playlist pitching.
Can I move my music to another distributor?
Yes, if your agreement allows it. Nice Set accepts catalog transfers and lets you keep your ISRCs and UPCs where appropriate.
Apply for distribution
Your listeners are already telling you where to play.