Beginner’s Guide to Distributing Your Music (Step-by-Step)

Getting your music from your studio to the world can seem like tricky at first. But don’t worry, this is easy. Many artists have tons of questions about music distribution. Where to start, how to do it right, and how to get the most from their music. But don’t stress, this easy Beginner’s Guide to Distributing Your Music is here to take you step by step and will walk you through everything you need to know to distribute your songs like a pro.

From preparing your audio files and artwork to choosing the right distributor, uploading your music, setting a release date, and promoting your work, we cover it all.

At Gallery Vision, we make music distribution simple and affordable with free distribution, unlimited releases, and you keep 100% of your ownership. Plus, our artist support team is here to help whenever you need it.

Why Music Distribution Matters 

Are you an independent artist sharing stories, reels, and videos every day? That’s awesome and it sounds great, but let’s be honest, it’s not enough. Posting often doesn’t guarantee the recognition and worldwide fame you deserve, right? That’s exactly why music distribution matters. You need a music distributor who truly stands by your side. A good distributor does more than just upload your songs. They make sure your music reaches every major platform, gets promoted the right way, and helps you connect with fans everywhere. If you want your music to go beyond likes and views and build a real career, understanding why music distribution matters is key. Gallery Vision music distributor is here for you. We have a full, proven plan to distribute your music smoothly, break down barriers, and help your sound reach the world in weeks or months.

Some key benefits of music distribution include:

• Global reach – Share your music worldwide.
  
• Monetization – Earn royalties when fans stream or download your songs.
  
• Professional presence – Appear alongside major artists on top platforms.
  

Social media integration – Get your tracks on Instagram Reels, TikTok, and more.

Step 1: Prepare Your Music

Before your music goes live, make sure everything is ready to shine. Taking these simple steps will help your release go smoothly and sound amazing

Finish mixing & mastering your track so it sounds polished.

Export in a high-quality like WAV format.

Create cover artwork ( minimum 3000 × 3000 pixels).

Gather metadata: song title, artist name, composer/producer names, lyrics (if you want).

Having clean files and accurate info reduces rejections or delays.

Step 2: Choose the Right Distributor

Choosing the right distributor is one of the most important decisions you’ll make as an artist. Think of a distributor as the middleman who gets your music onto Spotify, Apple Music, and all the major platforms.

If you’re looking for free music distribution, you want to make sure there are no hidden fees. Because who wants surprise charges? Still worried about your ownership and royalty splits? Wondering if you can release as many songs as you want without extra costs? Or maybe you’re concerned about getting real help when you need it?

If that sounds like you, you’re in the right place. At Gallery Vision, we’ve designed our service to take all those worries away.

No hidden fees: Pay once or never — it’s truly free distribution.

Keep 100% of your ownership: Your music, your rights, always.

Upload unlimited releases: Drop as many songs and albums as you want.

Artist support you can count on: Real people ready to help when you need it.

Clear, transparent reporting: See exactly how your music performs.

With Gallery Vision, you get everything you need to share your music with the world — without the stress. Your success is our mission.

Step 3: Upload Your Music

Once you pick Gallery Vision (or another distributor), you’ll log into a dashboard to upload:

Your audio file.

Cover artwork

Song metadata (title, artist, composer, lyricists)

Choose platforms (Spotify, Apple Music, YouTube, TikTok, etc.)

Double-check everything: a typo in your artist name or missing composer credit can cause trouble later.

Step 4: Set a Release Date

Don’t release immediately — plan ahead. Ideally, set your release date 2–4 weeks in advance. Why?

You give platforms time to review and approve.

You can pitch to editorial playlists before your song drops.

You build buzz: social media teasers, pre-saves, countdowns.

If your distributor allows, set up a “pre-save” link so fans can save your song before it’s live.

Step 5: Distribute to All Platforms

Once your upload is approved and scheduled, your distributor will send your music to all selected stores and streaming services. This may include: Spotify, Apple Music / iTunes

, YouTube Music, Amazon Music, Deezer, Tidal, TikTok, Instagram Reels

With Gallery Vision, your music is delivered globally at no extra cost.

Step 6: Promote Your Release

Distribution gets your song out there. Promotion gets people to listen. Some ideas:

Share teasers, behind-the-scenes, and countdowns on social media

Use music video clips or lyric videos

Reach out to bloggers, local music media, playlists, and influencers

Encourage fans to pre-save, share, and tag you

Collaborate with other artists or creators

Run ads (Instagram, Facebook) targeting your likely audience

The more people hear about your release, the more streams and engagement you’ll get.

Step 7: Track Your Performance

Once your music is live, it’s time to see how it’s doing

Monitor streams per platform

See where your listeners are (city, country)

Check playlist placements, saves, shares

Track your royalty earnings

Adjust your future strategy based on what’s working

Gallery Vision gives you real-time analytics so you always know what’s happening with your releases.

Common Mistakes Beginners Make in Music Distribution

Many beginners make mistakes that can slow down or even hurt their music career.

 Here are some common mistakes to watch out for

Here are some common beginner mistakes to watch out for:

Uploading unfinished or low-quality audio

Using copyrighted images for artwork

Forgetting to set a release date in advance

Not promoting after distribution

Choosing distributors that take royalty cuts unnecessarily

Artists, be careful. Ignoring these mistakes can seriously damage your chances of success. Checking and avoiding these errors will help your music career grow strong and steady.

Conclusion

If you’re serious about making music that people remember, you can’t afford to skip the basics and this Beginner’s Guide to Distributing Your Music gives you everything you need to get started the right way.

From getting your songs ready to picking the right distributor, setting up your release, and promoting it like a pro. Every step in this guide is designed to help you avoid common mistakes and get your music on platforms like Spotify, Apple Music, YouTube, TikTok, and more.

 Want free, unlimited distribution with no hidden fees?
Want real support from a team that actually cares?

Then don’t miss a single step in this guide. It could be the difference between your music getting lost… or going global.

The world is full of listeners looking for fresh, new sounds. This Beginner’s Guide to Distributing Your Music and the gallery vision are your keys to reaching them.

Start today — your future fans are waiting.

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