Guide
How to Release Music
A release is a plan, not a moment. Finish the song, pick your distributor, set the date, and promote it. Here is the whole plan.
The short version
- Finish the music first. Mastered audio, artwork, and the release details.
- Pick a distributor by how it charges and what it does after delivery.
- Set your release date at least two weeks out, and pitch playlists before it.
- Promote before, during, and after release day.
- Read your listener map after release. Your top cities are your next shows.
The release plan
- Finish the song. Mastered audio, finished artwork, and the details: title, artist name, songwriter credits, and lyrics.
- Pick a distributor. Flat-fee, commission, or per-release. Pick the model that fits how you earn.
- Set the date. At least two weeks out. Use the time to pitch playlists, line up content, and tell your listeners.
- Upload and check everything. Audio, artwork, titles, credits. A mistake on release day is a mistake on every platform.
Release day and after
- Release day is the start, not the end. Post, share, and push the playlist pitches.
- Keep promoting for weeks. One release is one moment. Clips, live versions, and stories keep it alive.
- Watch your listener map. Your streaming data shows which cities are listening.
- Book the cities that are listening. Nice Set turns your listener geography into ranked venue picks. You pitch the venue from the site and track every pitch.
Questions artists ask
How do I release music as an independent artist?
Finish the song, pick a distributor, set a release date at least two weeks out, upload, pitch playlists, and promote before, during, and after release day.
How much does it cost to release music?
It depends on the distributor. Flat-fee distributors charge a yearly subscription. Commission distributors take a share. Nice Set charges no setup fee. You pay 10% of master revenue.
Do I need a label to release music?
No. A distributor releases your music to 250+ platforms without a label deal. You keep your masters.
How early should I submit my music?
At least two weeks before your release date. That leaves time for review and playlist pitching.
Apply for distribution
Your next release should end in a show.