5 Essential Steps for Music Producers Before Distribution
As a music producer, there are a few crucial steps you should take before releasing your music to the world. These steps will help ensure that your music is properly prepared and ready for distribution, and will also give you the best chance of success in the industry.
1. Exports:
The first thing you should do is export various versions of your music. This includes the instrumental version, the acapella version, and all the stem files and trackouts for the instrumental. Having these exports will give you flexibility when it comes to remixing, sync licensing, and other opportunities in the future. It's also a good idea to create a performance version of the song for live shows, and to have an MP3 version on hand for easy playback.
2. Lyrics
Make sure you have the lyrics ready to go before you start distributing your music. This is especially important for search engine optimization, as lyrics can be good keywords for search engines. Be sure to format your lyrics correctly, as different distributors have specific requirements for how lyrics should be written.
3. Artwork
Having great artwork is essential for promoting your music and making a good impression on your listeners. Make sure you have artwork in the proper format for streaming platforms, and consider creating different sizes and versions for use on social media, your Spotify and YouTube channels, and other outlets.
4. Metadata
Metadata is the information that accompanies your music, such as the title, artist name, and genre. Make sure all of your metadata is accurate and up to date, as it will be used by streaming platforms and other distributors to categorize and promote your music.
5. Get organized
Finally, it's important to be organized and have a checklist to ensure that you don't miss any important steps. Having a clear plan and staying on top of things will make the distribution process much smoother and more efficient.
By following these steps, you'll be well-prepared to distribute your music and make the most of your opportunities as a producer.
Good luck!