From Start To Finish: How To Go From Uploading A Song, To Getting Paid
Let’s get one thing straight: Uploading your music to Spotify isn’t the hard part. The real game is getting people to actually hear it, engage with it, and become long-term fans. If you're an independent artist or part of a rising label, this guide is for you. We're diving into the full process, from getting your music live on Spotify to using smart, legit strategies for organic Spotify growth that actually pay off.
Whether you're asking "How to make money from my music" or looking for affordable music promotion, here’s how to get your music live, heard, and monetized without bots, gimmicks, or fake streams.
Step 1: Finish Your Track. Then Finish It Again.
Before you even think about uploading, your music has to be tight. Mixed. Mastered. Radio-ready. You’re stepping into a global platform competing with the biggest names in the business. Don’t bring a demo to a digital warzone. However, in saying that, don’t be that artist who takes a whole year to release one song because it’s not “perfect” yet. There’s a fine line between procrastination and being thorough with your music creation process.
Step 2: Choose a Distributor
Spotify doesn’t let artists upload music directly (unless you're using Soundtrap or SoundCloud integrations, which still go through distribution). You need a music distributor.
Distributors send your music to Spotify and handle royalty payouts. Most also distribute to Apple Music, Amazon, Tidal, TikTok, and more.
Here’s a helpful list of Spotify-approved distributors: Choose a distributor
Some popular options:
- DistroKid
- TuneCore
- CD Baby
- Amuse
- Ditto
- Too Lost
They all have their pros and cons, but don’t spend too much time worrying about it. Just do a quick Reddit or Google search and pick one!
Our recommendation would be Too Lost or Distrokid for their easy-to-use interfaces.
Step 3: Upload Your Music
Once you’ve chosen your distributor, here’s what you’ll need:
- High-quality WAV or FLAC file
- Album artwork (minimum 3000x3000 pixels)
- Track metadata (song title, artist name, genre, contributors)
- ISRC (assigned by your distributor if you don’t have one)
- Release date
- Lyrics (if you want them shown on Spotify)
Pro tip: Schedule your release at least 4 weeks ahead so you have time to do a proper music rollout before it drops.
Step 4: Claim Your Spotify for Artists Profile
This is your dashboard, your command center. Once your music is submitted through your distributor, you can claim your Spotify for Artists profile. Download the app, login with your credentials and link what you need.
Here’s why it matters:
- Customize your artist page (photos, bio, social links)
- Track listener stats in real time
- Pitch releases
- See what cities and countries your fans are from
- Track your monthly listeners, saves, and shares
Step 5: Build Hype Before the Release
This is where most indie artists go wrong. You don’t wait until your song is live to start talking about it.
Here are some ways to promote music online:
- Create pre-save links and share with your followers and friends
- Post behind-the-scenes content
- Share teasers or lyric snippets on TikTok and Instagram
- Email your fanbase
- Run countdowns and giveaways
- Engage with your audience and send them early access to your track.
If you want organic Spotify growth, your fans need to be part of the journey, not just the release day.
Step 6: Promote Your Music on Spotify (The Smart Way)
Once your music is live, you have a 28-day window where Spotify watches engagement like a hawk. If people are saving, listening multiple times, and sharing your track, the Spotify algorithm boost kicks in. Now I’m not at all saying this is only possible for the first 28 days, a song that’s 2 years old can still hit the algorithm. However, more metrics are being watched in this first 28-day time frame, more opportunities to get into the algorithm, and more potential for immediate push.
Here are our picks for effective ways to promote music online:
1. Playlist Promotion for Artists
Getting placed on the right playlists can explode your streams. There are two types of playlists: Editorial and User-Generated. Spotify curates editorials, but they can be very difficult to get on. In contrast, user-generated playlists are created by anyone and can have just as strong a reach, if not more, than editorials. However, it's best to aim for both.
- Safe Spotify playlisting means avoiding fake or bot playlists. These can get you blacklisted.
- Look for real Spotify promo companies, such as GPM Music Group or Submithub, that have a solid track record
- Use the Spotify Targeted Integration System. This system uses data and trend analysis to match your song to the right playlist, helping you find fans that actually convert to long-term listeners
- Pitch your song and details for an Editorial through your Spotify for Artists
If you're unsure how to spot fake playlists, check out our post on How To Identify Botted Spotify Playlists. It breaks down the red flags, dangers, and smarter options for legit music promotion.
2. Meta Music Growth Campaign
Another great way to grow on Spotify is through running direct-to-consumer ads on Meta (Instagram and Facebook) that convert potential fans into listeners invested in your song. While these have a steep learning curve (running effective ads is complicated), they are great at driving traffic to one specific song you want to promote
- GPM Music Group offers a done-for-you solution for Meta Ad Campaigns
3. Leverage the Spotify Algorithm
The Spotify algorithm is an independent artist's best friend and, if leveraged properly, can trigger thousands of streams without you having to pay a cent.
The algorithm watches for:
- Save rate
- Repeat listens
- Skip rate
- Share rate
- Playlist adds
- Overall streams
- Overall traffic to your profile
These are all computed in a complex algorithm called the Spotify Popularity Index Score, and your song gets pushed in algorithmic playlists depending on the score this formula gives you.
Simply put, the more of these metrics you can trigger, the more Spotify will recommend your track to other listeners via Discover Weekly, Release Radar, and Radio.
Our recommendation for the best way to promote your music online would have to be Spotify playlist promotion, due to the fact that it’s the most affordable option as well as the most effective at bringing new fans to your catalogue. Not to mention it triggers all those metrics the Spotify Algorithm is looking for.
Step 7: Track & Optimize
Once your song is out in the world, keep watching your stats.
- Where are listeners discovering your track?
- Which playlists bring in the most engagement?
- What’s your streams per listener ratio?
- How are your metrics doing this month, when compared to last month
This data helps you:
- Plan your next release
- Focus on high-performing markets
- Adjust your content and promo
- Identify which songs are performing better
- Learn about your audience so you can react accordingly
Use the insights to increase streams, increase monthly listeners, and keep that music growth rolling.
Step 8: Get Paid
Now the fun part.
Spotify pays rights holders through your distributor. You get paid based on the number of streams, but it’s not just a flat fee per play.
Factors that affect payout:
- Country of the listener
- Type of Spotify account (free vs. premium)
- Your royalty split with collaborators and distributors
Tips to make money on Spotify:
- Release more music consistently (volume helps)
- Promote every release with a smart plan
- Grow your fanbase organically
- Sell merch and tickets through your Spotify profile
- Increase streams per listener ratio by leaning on playlist marketing
Want to know how to make money from my music beyond streaming? Sync licensing, live shows, Patreon, and merch bundles are all smart plays.
Leave No Stone Unturned (Quick Hits)
These might not be the big needle movers, but if you’re serious about being an artist, here are some quick tips and suggestions for maximizing every single stream and not leaving any fans on the table.
- Use stories and reels to preview new songs
- Run a small-budget ad targeting your Spotify link
- Drop your Spotify links in your YouTube video descriptions
- Collaborate with influencers or dancers on TikTok
- Submit to blogs and online music magazines
- Partner with similar artists and do free collabs to explore new fanbases
- Do shoutout swaps with musicians in your niche
- Use affordable music promo services with real reach
- Play local shows and invite smaller artists to open for you
Final Thoughts: It’s a Long Game
The music industry isn’t about overnight virality anymore. It's about building momentum, release after release. Use every tool available to you, especially the ones that prioritize real engagement over fake numbers.
Focus on:
- Legit Spotify promotion
- Real Spotify playlisting
- Organic Spotify growth
- Cheapest music promotion that still delivers real fans if you’re on a budget at first
You got the music side. Now move smart, stay consistent, and keep showing up.
Need Help Promoting Your Music on Spotify? GPM Music Group offers affordable music marketing tailored to artists looking for real playlist promotion, organic Spotify growth, and legit ways to promote music on social media without risking your catalog.
Let's grow your audience, promote your music, and help you finally get paid for your talent, the right way.