Make sure you understand this first: you must own the copyrights to any songs you distribute.
If you’re serious about turning your music into long-term income, this is the exact system to set everything up correctly and collect every dollar you’re owed.
1. Confirm Your Song Splits
Before anything else, use SongSlits to help determine how ownership is divided between all contributors (artists, producers, writers, etc.). Get this in writing.
2. Create a DistroKid Account
Upload your music through DistroKid so it can be distributed to all major streaming platforms.
3. Decline YouTube Money (DistroKid Option)
Turn off DistroKid’s “YouTube Money” service so you can properly route publishing revenue through a publishing administrator instead.
4. Set Up a Songtrust Account
Create your publishing administration account through Songtrust to collect worldwide publishing royalties.
5. Enroll in YouTube Monetization Monitoring
Opt into Songtrust’s YouTube Monitor Program to ensure your music is tracked and monetized correctly on YouTube.
6. Register Your Songs with Songtrust
Input your song splits and register each track. Once your music is live, add your ISRC codes from DistroKid to properly link recordings.
7. Register with SoundExchange
Create a SoundExchange account and register your music to collect digital performance royalties from platforms like Pandora, SiriusXM, and more.
8. Create a Smart Link with Songwhip
Use Songwhip to generate a single link that directs fans to your music across all streaming platforms.
9. Promote Your Music & Brand
Marketing is where revenue and royalties begin. Push your music and brand consistently across social media, ads, playlists, and direct fan engagement.
BUILD YOUR BRAND & DIRECT-TO-FAN SALES
BONUS FOR ARTISTS: FUNDING YOUR CAREER
If you’re looking to scale your music career, secure funding, or invest in your brand and business growth, explore these resources:
A Guide to Building Business Credit
Business Funding Playbook - Get Started
FINAL NOTE
Execution is everything. Set it up correctly once, then focus on building your audience and increasing streams and sales consistently.