Guides

Everything you need to release music

Straight-talking guides for independent artists — how to get on Spotify, release your first song, collect every royalty you're owed, and understand what distribution really costs.

Royalties & Money · 3 min

Can You Buy Songs on Spotify? (2026) — How Artists Actually Get Paid

No — Spotify doesn't sell songs, and Premium downloads aren't ownership. Here's where fans can actually buy your music in 2026, and how artists really earn from streaming.

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Getting Started · 3 min

How Long Does It Take to Get a Song on Spotify? (2026 Timelines)

Real delivery times in 2026: how long distribution review, Spotify delivery, and playlist pitching actually take — and the release timeline pros use.

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Royalties & Money · 3 min

How Much Does Music Distribution Cost? (2026 Price Breakdown)

Music distribution ranges from free to $60+ a year — but the sticker price hides the real cost. Here's what you actually pay across the major distributors in 2026.

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Royalties & Money · 3 min

How to Collect All Your Music Royalties (2026 Guide)

Most independent artists only collect a fraction of what they're owed. Here are the types of music royalties, who pays them, and how to make sure you get every dollar.

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Promotion & Marketing · 6 min

How to Promote Your Music on TikTok (2026): Creator Campaigns Explained

Paying creators to use your song works — paying for playlist placements can get your catalogue flagged. Here's the difference, what creator campaigns actually cost in 2026, and how to run one without getting burned.

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Getting Started · 3 min

How to Put Your Music on Spotify (2026 Step-by-Step Guide)

You can't upload to Spotify directly as an independent artist — you need a distributor. Here's exactly how to get your song on Spotify, step by step.

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Getting Started · 3 min

How to Release Your First Song: A Complete Checklist (2026)

A step-by-step checklist for releasing your first song the right way — from mastering and cover art to release date, playlists, and getting paid.

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Business & Rights · 5 min

Sample Clearance: What It Costs and What Happens If You Skip It (2026)

Uncleared samples get releases pulled and revenue reassigned. Here's what actually needs clearing, what the two permissions are, what it costs in 2026, and what to do if your song is already out.

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Business & Rights · 5 min

Split Sheets: The One Page That Prevents Most Music Disputes (2026)

A split sheet records who wrote what and who owns what — signed before the song goes anywhere. Here's what goes on one, who counts as a writer, and why 'we'll sort it later' is how friendships end.

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Getting Started · 3 min

Spotify for Artists: How to Claim & Verify Your Profile (2026)

Claim your Spotify for Artists profile in about 10 minutes: what you need, how verification works in 2026, and the features you unlock — including editorial playlist pitching.

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