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    How to distribute an album/EP release on Songtradr

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    If you wish to distribute your music, Songtradr offers distribution to all major streaming platforms including Spotify, Apple Music, Deezer and more.

     

    What is the maximum and minimum track length required for distribution?

    1. Songs less than 30 seconds will not receive payouts from streaming platforms.
    2. The average track length on an album cannot be less than one minute.
    3. The maximum track length on a release via Songtradr is around 12 minutes.
    4. There is no maximum amount of tracks to place on an album, but we recommend capping your album at 25 tracks.

     

    How many tracks are on an EP/Album?

    • A release is classified as an EP if it has 4-6 tracks.
    • A release is classified as an album if it has 7 - 29 tracks. Anything above this will classify your release as a double album or box set.

     

    Note: Distribution is included in our Songtradr Pro package. Upgrade Now >

     

    Press play below to watch a quick YouTube tutorial about setting up a Single prior to completing in your dashboard.

     

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    LET'S GET STARTED:  

    • Login to your account
    • Click Distribution on the left navigation bar

     

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    • Click + New Album 

     

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    • Type in the Release Title of your Album
    • Click Create

     

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    1) HOW TO ENTER DETAILS:

    • Select Release Title Language
    • Select Country of Origin
    • If applicable, enter Version e.g. Remastered
    • Enter Record Label (this will appear as your album's P-Line)
    • Enter C-Line
    • If applicable, enter Catalog Number
    • Click on the Main Artist field to enter your artist information or select a previously inputted artist from the pop-up window

     

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    • If there are no prior release artists, click Create New Release ArtistDistributeRelease6.png

     

    • This will bring up a new dialog box where you can:

      • Enter your Band Name (or Artist Name) OR your Last and First name, if that is your artist name
      • Enter your Spotify URI to ensure the release will go to your correct profile on Spotify
      • Enter your Apple Music profile link to ensure the release will go to your correct profile on Apple Music
      • (Click here on how to find and add your profile links)
      • Click Save Artist when you are done

     

    Notes:

    • Please leave this section blank if you do not have existing profiles
    • Do not enter a URI/link of an artist that is not yourself

     

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    • Repeat steps for Contributing Artist(s) or Featured Artist(s) (if applicable) 
    • Click Save & Continue when you are done

     

    Once the artist is saved, you will be able to add them to your release

     

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    Note: Only add Contributing and Featured artist on the Details page if they are included on every track on the release.

     

     

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    Note: You are able to delete and edit distribution artists here. This can be used to edit artist names, delete duplicates and add Spotify URI's and Apple IDs. You will not be able to delete artists that are a part of your subscription plan or have been included in a previous release.

     

    To edit your artists:

    • Click into the release and click on the Main Artist field to open up the Artist window.
    • Click the pencil icon to edit an artist's information.
    • Click the trash icon to delete an artist.

     

     

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    2) CHOOSE YOUR ARTWORK:

     

    • Click Edit Artwork to open up the editor

     

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    You have two options:

    1. FREE STOCK IMAGE - Use the search bar to populate images from Unsplash where you can choose from real photos from a community of photographers. If you choose to use Unsplash:
      • Type any query into the Search bar to bring up relevant images (e.g. sunset)
      • Select an image
    2. UPLOAD ARTWORK FILE - Click Upload your own to choose an image from your device. If you have your own image, please make sure your image is formatted in square dimensions:
      • Minimum size: 3000 x 3000 pixels
      • Maximum size: 6000 x 6000 pixels
      • Acceptable formats are .png or .jpeg

     

     

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    Add Text

    • Click New Text
    • Enter your Release Title
    • Enter your Artist Name
    • Select Font Size, Alignment, Font Color, Background Color, and Line Spacing if you wish

     

    Tip: Simply click Insert Your Title and/or Insert your Artist Name in the lower lefthand corner and it will automatically populate.

     

    Note: All artwork must contain your release title and artist name

     

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    Add Text Design (optional)

    • Select a Text Design to add creative text designs to your artwork

     

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    Transform (optional)

    • Crop your image

     

    Note: All images must be square dimensions to adhere to streaming platform guidelines.

     

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    Adjust (optional)

    • Adjust your image's Brightness, Contrast, Saturation, etc.

     

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    Filter (optional)

    • Add a filter to your artwork

     

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    Focus (optional)

    • Add Radial, Mirrored, Linear, or Gaussian focus to your artwork

     

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    Save artwork when you are done.

     

    More tutorials on Artwork Editor >

     

     

     

    3) COMPLETING SONG DETAILS:

    • Click to add a song to your release

     

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    Your catalog will open up.

    • Click Select on the song you want to distribute

     

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    This will bring up the Song Editor window.

     

    From here you can:

    • Add a Version Title (i.e. Remix, Instrumental)
    • Select Song Title Language
    • Add any contributing or featuring artists
    • Select Genre
    • Select Recording Version
    • Enter previously acquired ISRC's (if you don't have one we will create one for you)
    • Mark if your track is explicit
    • Mark if your track is a cover
    • Enter Composers and Record Label/Master Owners of the track
    • Click Save when you are done 

     

     

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    Repeat process with rest of the songs on your Album

     

    Note: You can adjust the order of the tracks if necessary using the arrows.

     

    • Click Next when you are done

     

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    4) SELECTING STORES:

    • Check all the boxes or select the individual stores you wish to have your music released to for distribution.
      • Click here to learn more about 'All Other Stores' and 'Future Stores'.
    • Select your Download Pricing
    • Select your Territory
    • Click Save & Next when you are done

     

    Note: You can return to any previous windows by clicking any of the steps in the progress bar e.g. Artwork.

     

     

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    5) ORGANIZE YOUR SCHEDULE USING 3-OPTIONS

     

    For best practices and tips for scheduling your release(s), click here

     

    - Standard Delivery: The default delivery time is 14 days. We deliver releases as scheduled but cannot always guarantee exact dates as each streaming platform's release policies may differ.

    • Open Choose Date calendar to select your exact release date

     

    - Pre-sale / Pre-save: The default delivery time is 14 days. However, you will have the option to promote your upcoming release and launch with impact by pre-selling your music on Apple Music, Amazon, and other download platforms. Pre-sales typically publish 7 days before your release date. Please factor this into your release schedule.

    • Promote your upcoming release and launch with impact by pre-selling your music on Apple Music, Amazon, and other download platforms.

     

    - Priority Release: If you have a short deadline or, for any reason, don't wish to wait 14 days for your single/album to come out, you can purchase a Priority Release. This will push your album to the front of the line and have it released on all major platforms within 3 business days.

      • Ensure a rapid release of your music on major platforms within 72 hours.
      • The Choose Date field will disable as you will not be able to select a specific release date for a Priority Release.

     

     

    Note: If your album/EP has been released previously, follow the steps below! The original release date cannot be in the future of the release date you are selecting for this album.

    • Switch the 'This Single or Album has been released before' toggle to ON (Blue)
    • Select the Original Release Date
    • Enter the Original Release UPC or EAN code
    • Click Save & Continue

     

     

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    6) FINALIZE

    • View a Preview of how your release will appear on the major streaming platforms
    • View Subscription Plan & Add On to see if your current plan covers the release or if you need to upgrade
    • Confirm final validations
    • Proceed to payment (if applicable) and Submit!

     

     

    Congratulations, you have just distributed your release!

     

     

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    Important note: If your release is missing from one of the platforms selected, the platform may still be processing your release due to high delivery volume. They may also require additional information before they are able to process your release. You may want to reconfirm that particular platform was selected during the distribution process.

     

     

    After the release date, you can locate your Spotify and Apple Music profiles in your dashboard

    • Click on Releases
    • Click on a Completed Release
    • Click View on Spotify to find your release on Spotify
    • Click View on Apple Music to find your release on Apple Music

     

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    Next Step: Let's better understand your Distribution earnings here. 

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