How to distribute music to digital platforms
Distributing music means getting a recording to streaming services, digital stores and video platforms through a distributor. This guide covers what to prepare, the order of the steps and what to expect after you submit.
Create your account on the Eventroo platform and set up your first release.
What you need before distributing
The more complete the material, the lower the chance of the release coming back for correction.
- Final audio, the version meant for the public, with no clipping, cuts or unwanted silence.
- High-quality, legible artwork with no brands, people, logos or images used without permission.
- Complete metadata: title, version, artists, songwriters, producers, label, language, genre and date.
- Permission for anything that isn't yours: covers, remixes, samples, third-party voice and image.
- Correct account, banking and tax details, so you can get paid later.
Distribution step by step
Step 1: Create an account with the distributor
On Eventroo, sign-up happens on the platform, with true and up-to-date information.
Step 2: Set up the release
Single, EP, album or another format accepted by the platforms.
Step 3: Fill in metadata and credits
Each artist in the right field, real songwriters and contributors, an ISRC per track and the product UPC.
Step 4: Pick the date in advance
At least 7 days ahead; for campaigns and pitching, more.
Step 5: Wait for the review
If something is pending, the release comes back for correction. That is not, by itself, a final rejection.
Step 6: Delivery and publication
The distributor sends the release; each platform processes and publishes in its own time.
Step 7: Follow the results
Performance and revenue reports, and payment once the balance is available.
How long each stage takes
Distribution is not instant. Plan the release backwards from the date you chose:
| Stage | When |
|---|---|
| Upload to the distributor | At least 7 days before the date. For campaigns and pitching, earlier. |
| Pitching in Spotify for Artists | Unreleased music only. Pitched at least 7 days ahead, the song goes on your followers' Release Radar. |
| Review | No single timeline. Complete material tends to follow the normal flow. |
| Release | Depends on each platform's processing; times may differ between them. |
| Performance data | Arrives before revenue, in the reports and in each platform's dashboard. |
| Revenue | After the platform closes and reports the period and Eventroo finishes processing. |
Pitching source: Pitching music to playlist editors, Spotify for Artists.
ISRC, UPC and metadata: what each one is
ISRC
The international identifier of a specific recording. It is only reused for the same recording.
UPC/EAN
The product identifier: the single, EP or album. Each track keeps its own ISRC.
Metadata
The information that identifies the release and everyone involved, from artists to label.
Credits
They must reflect the real contributors. Wrong credits affect identification, publishing and collection.
Single, EP or album
The format changes how the release is shown, not how it is uploaded. In all of them each track has its own ISRC and the product has a UPC.
Single
One main song, sometimes with versions. Good for keeping a steady pace and testing material.
EP
A few tracks that form a set. Good for presenting a phase or a concept.
Album
The full project. It needs more planning of dates, artwork and promotion.
The final classification follows each platform's rules, which consider track count and duration.
Covers, remixes, samples and artificial intelligence
Covers
Can be distributed when exploitation is authorized. Recording a song does not grant ownership of the composition.
Remixes and mashups
Only with authorization over the composition, recording, stems, vocals and samples involved.
Samples
Your own, licensed or used in a legally permitted way. The license may be requested.
AI content
Assessed for rights, originality, transparency and platform policies. A voice imitating an artist requires permission.
After the release
Performance data arrives before revenue: the amount only appears after the platform closes and reports the period and Eventroo completes processing. There is no universal per-stream rate; it depends on the platform, territory, user plan and other rules.
To give the release more reach, see Eventroo pitching. And before your next upload, go through the Eventroo checklist.
What most often sends a release back for correction
Most returns come from details you can fix before uploading:
- Artist name different from the profile that already exists on platforms, or two artists in the same field.
- Title holding information that is not the title, such as the producer's name, the year or the word single.
- Artwork with unreadable text, a platform logo, a link or a third-party image used without permission.
- Unidentified version: remix, live, acoustic or instrumental must go in the version field.
- Cover, sample or remix without the permission the review may ask for.
- Audio different from what was described, with long silence, cuts or clipping.
Review it with the checklist before uploading a release.
Where the music goes
Through Eventroo, one upload can reach Spotify, Apple Music, YouTube Music, Amazon Music, Deezer, TIDAL, SoundCloud, Pandora, iHeartRadio, Audiomack, Anghami, AWA, Boomplay, FLO, iMusica, JioSaavn, JOOX, KKBOX, Mixcloud, NetEase, Nuuday and Tencent, plus iTunes, TikTok, Facebook Audio Library, Snapchat, YouTube Content ID and other services, depending on the account, content and territory. More on the music distributor page.
How much it costs to distribute music
There are three models on the market: monthly fee, per-release fee and revenue share. Eventroo uses the third: no monthly fee and no per-release fee for the included services, and with no revenue, Eventroo's share is zero.
Illustrative example: on R$ 1,000 of revenue calculated for distribution, the independent artist keeps R$ 700 and Eventroo R$ 300.
| Profile | For you | Eventroo |
|---|---|---|
| Independent artists | 70% | 30% |
| High-volume record labels (subject to commercial review) | 80% | 20% |
The paid pitching plans are optional and have their own price. See the pricing page.
Frequently asked questions about distributing music
How long does the review take?
There is no single timeline. Complete, low-risk content tends to follow the normal flow; material that needs proof of rights or corrections may take longer.
Is the release date guaranteed?
No. Eventroo sends the data through the applicable flow, but final availability depends on each platform's processing, and platforms may publish at slightly different times or dates.
Can I change a release after submitting it?
Some data can be updated; other changes require a new submission, a new identifier or taking down the previous version. It depends on the field and the platform's rules.
Can I distribute a cover?
Yes, when exploitation is legally authorized. A new recording of an existing song does not give the performer ownership of the original composition.
Will I lose my plays if I switch distributors?
Keeping metrics depends on the platforms recognizing the tracks. To improve the match, keep the same ISRC, audio, title, artist and duration.
Do I need to disclose the use of artificial intelligence?
Whenever the platform, the law, the contract or Eventroo's flow requires it, truthfully and completely.
How much does it cost to distribute music?
It depends on the distributor. At Eventroo there is no monthly fee: independent artists keep 70% of revenue and Eventroo takes 30%. With no revenue, Eventroo's share is zero.
Which platforms receive my music?
Among others, Spotify, Apple Music, YouTube Music, Amazon Music, Deezer, TIDAL and TikTok, depending on the account, content and territory. The list changes with each platform's integrations and policies.
How do I get paid for streams?
The platform reports revenue to the distributor, which processes and pays it out. At Eventroo, payment goes through the method enabled on the account, once the balance is reported, processed and available.
Can I distribute music without a record label?
Yes. Independent artists can sign up on Eventroo as artists, upload their own releases and keep the rights to their music.
Can I release a single and later the album with the same song?
Yes. Use the same ISRC for the same recording so platforms know it is the same track. A different version, such as a remix or acoustic take, gets its own ISRC.
Keep exploring
Music distributor
What Eventroo does, who it is for and how it works from upload to payment.
Music on Spotify, Apple Music and YouTube
How to release on the best-known platforms and the mistakes that cause delays.
Distribution for labels
Catalog, reports, migration and the label name in the credits.
For independent artists
Release on your own, without giving up your rights.
White Label distribution
Distribute under your label's, record company's or music business's brand.
Special program for labels
Distribute your label’s catalogue with its name in the credits of every release. Organised catalogue, revenue reports, support and catalogue migration at Eventroo.
Ready to distribute?
Create your Eventroo account and set up your release. If you get stuck on a step, official support can help.
Start distributingStill have questions?
Eventroo's official FAQ answers more than 90 questions about distribution, rights, revenue and payments.
Frequently asked questions