You're in the recording studio. Lights are low, the mood is right and you’re immersed in the vibe of the track. You’re flowing effortlessly–this might be your best work yet. 

You feel in your bones you’re making a hit. You think of the buzz, the streams, the viral moments that could come next.

At the same time, you’re wondering: how do I make it happen? 

How do I go from the recording booth to getting streams and royalties? 

Music distribution is the key and where most artists get stuck. The process can be overwhelming and confusing, especially when you’re new to it. So here's a guide to getting your music out there, earning streams, and making sure you get paid for your work.

Find the Best Distributor

Before you can start getting streams, you need to enter the gateway that puts your music into the world. This is where music distribution services come in. 

Platforms like DistroKid are designed to help you upload and distribute your tracks to major streaming platforms. They handle the behind-the-scenes work so you can focus on creating.

Signing up for DistroKid is a great first step. Once you’re set up, you can upload your music and choose where it’s available for streaming.

Upload Music to Streaming Platforms

Once you’ve signed up with a distributor, the next step is to upload your music to popular streaming platforms. Select which streaming platforms (like Spotify, Apple Music, YouTube Music, Amazon Music) to share your music. This is how millions of potential listeners will discover you. Uploading to streaming platforms is not just about getting your tracks out there, but ensuring they reach the right people.

Services like Spotify for Artists and Apple Music for Artists let you manage your tracks and optimize your artist profile. Make sure your bio is engaging, images are high-quality, and tracks are categorized accurately.

A polished, professional profile can make a huge difference in getting noticed by listeners. On Spotify, for example, your music can be found through personalized playlists, which increases the chance of your tracks going viral.

Earn Royalties and Track Your Streaming Income

After your music is live on streaming platforms, every time someone hits play, you earn royalties. While you may not become a millionaire overnight, streaming revenue adds up over time. For example, Spotify pays between $0.003 and $0.005 per stream on average.

Keep track of where your music is played and how much you're earning. Services like DistroKid will give detailed analytics so you can see exactly how your music is performing. It also doesn’t hurt to have a personal record (like a spreadsheet) of your streaming data, for keeps.

Get More Streams

Getting your music on streaming platforms is just the beginning. To boost streams (and earn more royalties), you need to promote your music and connect with your audience.

Leverage social media. Sites like Instagram, TikTok and Threads are powerful tools to connect with your audience. Post snippets of your music, share behind-the-scenes moments, and engage with fans in the comments. User-generated content, like TikToks featuring your tracks, can be a huge catalyst for going viral. Encourage fans to make content with your music. 

For indie artists, organic promotion on social media is a great way to grow your audience without spending any money. But if you are ready to invest, paid advertising on social platforms can help you reach even more people. 

How you approach it is up to you, but remember that promotion is key to getting the number of streams you want.

Stay Consistent to Build Momentum

To grow in the music industry, you need to create and release music consistently. The more often you release new songs, the more opportunities you have to grow your fanbase and increase your earnings. By releasing music frequently, you keep your audience engaged and will more likely show up in search results on streaming platforms.

Monetize Your Music Beyond Streaming

Don’t rely solely on streaming revenue. While streaming can be a significant source of income over time, explore other ways to monetize your music. Consider offering merchandise, doing live performances, or crowdfunding to supplement your income. Platforms like Patreon also allow you to connect with fans and get paid to offer exclusive content.

Music distribution isn’t just about getting your songs out into the world; it’s about making opportunities to grow your audience and make money. By choosing the right distribution service, promoting yourself well and releasing new music regularly, you can build a sustainable career in the music industry.

For indie artists and emerging musicians, music distribution is the first step toward success. Keep creating, keep promoting, and watch your music career flourish.