How to Put Music on Apple Music: A Step-by-Step Guide

Apple Music is one of the largest and most popular streaming platforms available today. With millions of subscribers worldwide, it's an essential platform for artists and bands to have their music on. In this step-by-step guide, you'll learn how to put your music on Apple Music to share with fans and grow your audience. From understanding distribution to monitoring your success, we got you covered.

Understanding Apple Music Distribution

Before you can dive into getting your music onto Apple Music, it's crucial to understand how the platform works and how your music distribution process will look like. This section covers the basics of what Apple Music is and how its distribution works.

What is Apple Music?

Apple Music is a subscription-based music streaming service that allows users to access a vast library of songs, albums, and playlists. Launched in 2015, it quickly became a leading competitor in the music streaming scene. With over 72 million subscribers worldwide, Apple Music has become a powerful tool for artists to reach a global audience.

One of the most significant benefits of Apple Music is its integration with other Apple products. Subscribers can access the platform on various devices, including iOS, macOS, watchOS, and Apple TV. This integration allows for a seamless listening experience across multiple devices, making it easier for fans to enjoy your music wherever they are.

How does Apple Music distribution work?

Unlike some platforms like SoundCloud, Apple Music doesn't let artists upload their music directly. Instead, artists need to work with a music distributor, like Releese, DistroKid or TuneCore, to get their music on Apple Music. Distribution on Apple Music is done through these specialized services that handle licensing, royalty collection, and metadata management for the artists. In return, these distributors typically charge a fee for their services. However, this method ensures your music is distributed professionally and reaches a broader audience.

It's essential to note that Apple Music has strict guidelines for the content it allows on its platform. To ensure your music is accepted, it's crucial to follow their guidelines carefully. Your distributor, such as Releese, will typically handle this process for you, but it's still essential to be aware of what is required to avoid any potential issues.

Once your music is on Apple Music, you'll have access to valuable data and analytics that can help you understand your audience better. You'll be able to see how many plays your songs are getting, where your listeners are located, and even which devices they're using to listen to your music. This data can help you make informed decisions about your music career and marketing strategy.

In conclusion, Apple Music is an excellent platform for artists looking to expand their reach and grow their fanbase. While the distribution process may seem daunting at first, working with a reputable distributor like Releese can make the process much smoother. By following Apple Music's guidelines and utilizing the platform's data and analytics, you can take your music career to the next level.

Preparing Your Music for Apple Music

To ensure smooth uploading of your music to Apple Music, you need to prepare your tracks correctly. This section covers meeting Apple Music's requirements, formatting your files, and creating high-quality cover art.

Meeting Apple Music's requirements

Before you can upload your music to a distributor for Apple Music placement, you must meet all necessary criteria. Apple Music has specific requirements for the audio files and cover art. Make sure your music is in lossless format, with a minimum 16-bit, 44.1 kHz sample rate or higher. The most common formats used are WAV, AIFF, or FLAC. Compressed formats like MP3 are not accepted.

Your music should also be free of any technical issues such as clipping, distortion, or irregular volumes. Ensure that your tracks are well-mastered and ready for streaming quality.

Formatting your music files

When preparing your music for distribution, organizing your files is essential. Ensure that your track filenames match the track titles precisely, and avoid any special characters, extra spaces, or unnecessary information. Proper file management makes the distribution process more manageable and reduces the risk of errors or delays in the release process.

Creating high-quality cover art

Cover art is the visual representation of your music and plays a vital role in capturing the attention of potential listeners. Apple Music requires cover art to be at least 3000x3000 pixels in size, in either JPEG or PNG format. The cover art should be free of copyright issues and must not use any Apple-branded content. The image should not contain any explicit content, URLs, or contact information.

Ensure that your cover art is eye-catching, professional, and representative of your music's style and genre. High-quality cover art can make a significant difference in attracting listeners and giving your music the recognition it deserves.

Choosing a Music Distributor

The next step in getting your music onto Apple Music is selecting a music distributor. Explore the importance of using a distributor, compare popular options, and evaluate fees and features in this section.

Why you need a music distributor

As mentioned earlier, Apple Music requires artists to use a music distributor to get their songs on the platform. Distributors provide an essential service, ensuring that your music is appropriately formatted, licensed, and accessible to Apple Music subscribers. They also handle royalty collection and ensure that your earnings are accurately reported and distributed. Using a music distributor saves you time and resources, making it the most efficient way to get your music on Apple Music.

Comparing popular music distributors

Several music distributors specialize in getting music on Apple Music and other streaming platforms. Some popular options include Releese, DistroKid, TuneCore, CD Baby, and AWAL. Each distributor uniquely serves independent artists, offering different pricing structures, features, and support.

When comparing distributors, consider their reputation, track record of success, and client reviews. You'll also want to review their royalties and payout processes, customer support, and any extra services they offer, such as playlist pitching or promotional tools.

Evaluating distributor fees and features

Music distribution services charge various fees depending on their pricing models. Some charge a flat yearly fee per release, while others may take a percentage of your royalties. Consider your budget and financial goals when choosing a distributor. While some artists may prefer a higher upfront fee and retaining 100% of their royalties, others may choose a distributor that takes a percentage cut but offers better support or promotional services.

Consider the features offered by each distributor, as well. Services like analytics, promotional tools, and playlist pitching can have a significant impact on your music's success on Apple Music.

Setting Up Your Artist Profile

With your music properly formatted and your distributor selected, now it's time to focus on your artist profile on Apple Music. Claim your account, customize your profile, and verify your information using the steps in this section.

Claiming your Apple Music for Artists account

Apple Music for Artists is a platform where artists can access analytics, customize their profiles, and manage their presence on Apple Music. Visit the Apple Music for Artists website and sign up using the required information. You'll need an Apple ID and password to complete the sign-up process. You may be asked to provide proof of your identity and your connection to the music you've submitted through your distributor.

Customizing your artist profile

Once your account is set up, customize your Apple Music artist profile by adding a profile picture, updating your bio, and arranging your discography. A well-crafted artist profile can help make a lasting impression on fans and the Apple Music community, so take the time to perfect your bio, photos, and other profile elements.

Verifying your account

Verification is the final step in setting up your Apple Music for Artists account. Once your profile and music have been reviewed and approved by Apple, your account will receive a blue verified checkmark, indicating that it's the official profile of you or your band. Verification adds legitimacy and trust to your artist profile and helps fans recognize your official presence on Apple Music.

Uploading Your Music to the Distributor

With your music correctly formatted, your artist profile set up, and your distributor chosen, it's finally time to upload your music to the distributor. Follow these steps to ensure a smooth and successful release on Apple Music.

Organizing your music files

Before uploading your music files to the distributor, organize everything in a clear and concise manner. Create folders for each album or release and include the appropriate files, like lossless audio files and cover art, in their respective folders. Proper organization helps prevent confusion during the submission process and ensures your music is uploaded accurately.

Entering metadata and album information

Your selected distributor will prompt you to enter metadata and album information during the upload process. This information includes the artist name, track titles, album title, genre, release date, and more. Be thorough and precise when entering this information, as any errors or inconsistencies may cause delays or issues with your release.

Selecting release dates and pricing

During the upload process, you'll also need to select a release date for your music on Apple Music. While some artists opt for immediate release, scheduling your release ahead of time allows for better promotion and planning. Your distributor may also ask you to set pricing for your music. Research pricing trends for similar artists or albums and choose a price that reflects your music's value and your audience's expectations.

Monitoring Your Music on Apple Music

Once your music is live on Apple Music, it's crucial to monitor its performance, engage with your audience, and promote your music on the platform. Here's how to make the most of your music on Apple Music.

Tracking your music's performance

Apple Music for Artists provides detailed analytics on your music's performance, including plays, listeners, sales, and more. Use this information to track your music's success, identify trends, and understand your audience. Monitoring your analytics can help you make informed decisions about your music promotion and future releases.

Engaging with your audience

Apple Music allows artists to engage with their fans through playlists, comments, and shares. Use these features to interact with your audience, answer questions, and gather feedback. Engaging with your fans can help establish a more profound connection, ultimately leading to increased loyalty and support.

Promoting your music on Apple Music

Actively promote your music on Apple Music by sharing your tracks on social media, collaborating with other artists, and submitting your music to playlists. Consider running promotional campaigns or contests that encourage fans to stream your music, share it with friends, or leave feedback. Promoting your music on Apple Music effectively can help you reach a larger audience, grow your fan base, and increase your music's revenue potential.

Now that you're equipped with these crucial steps, it's your turn to put your music on Apple Music and share your art with the world. Focus on creating quality content and engaging with fans, and you'll be well on your way to building a successful presence on Apple Music.