DistroKid Pre-Flight Checklist: Get Ready to Release
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The Essential Pre-Flight Checklist Before Using DistroKid
🚀 Before you upload your first track to DistroKid, you need to be prepared. Many artists rush into distribution only to realize later that they’ve missed key details—resulting in delays, lost royalties, or even rejected releases.
✅ Whether you're an AI music creator, a traditional musician, or a content creator, getting your essentials in order first will make your distribution process smooth, stress-free, and profitable.
📌 This guide walks you through everything you need to have ready before signing up for DistroKid.
🔥 The Must-Haves: Get These Ready Before You Sign Up
Before you even think about uploading music, make sure you have these essentials locked in.
1️⃣ Artist Name – Is It Available?
✅ Your artist name is your brand—it must be unique and consistent across all platforms.
✅ Check for conflicts:
- Search Spotify, Apple Music, and YouTube to ensure your name isn’t already taken.
-
Trademark availability? If you plan to monetize long-term, verify legal ownership.
✅ Be consistent: Use the same name across all social media, website, and streaming platforms.
📌 Why It Matters: Changing your artist name after you’ve released music is difficult. Get it right from the start.
2️⃣ Profile Picture & Branding – First Impressions Matter
✅ Profile image: At least 3000x3000 pixels, high resolution, no watermarks or third-party logos.
✅ Social media consistency: Your branding should be recognizable across Instagram, Twitter, YouTube, etc.
✅ Bio: Have a short, compelling artist bio ready to copy and paste into DistroKid and your social profiles.
📌 Why It Matters: Music is visual as much as it is audio—a polished brand helps build credibility and recognition.
3️⃣ High-Quality Audio Files – Don’t Upload Low-Quality Music
✅ Best format: WAV, 16-bit, 44.1 kHz (MP3 is acceptable but lower quality).
✅ Make sure your track is mixed and mastered—a poorly mixed song will sound bad on streaming platforms.
📌 Why It Matters: Streaming services normalize audio levels, so well-mastered tracks will stand out.
4️⃣ Album Cover – Do You Own the Rights?
✅ Minimum size: 3000x3000 pixels, must be a square image.
✅ No URLs, social media handles, or third-party logos.
✅ Original artwork: Do not use images you don’t have the rights to—copyright claims can get your release taken down.
📌 Why It Matters: If your cover violates guidelines, your release may be delayed or rejected.
5️⃣ Metadata – Get Your Song Titles & Credits Right
✅ Song title formatting: Avoid excessive punctuation or unnecessary capitalization.
✅ Songwriter & producer credits: Use real names (not just stage names) if you plan to collect royalties.
📌 Why It Matters: Incorrect metadata can cause royalty issues and credit disputes.
🔥 Traditional Musicians: Lock Down Your Royalties
If you are a traditional musician (non-AI), make sure you’re registered to collect every possible royalty.
1️⃣ PRO Registration – Collect Performance Royalties
✅ Sign up with a PRO (Performance Rights Organization):
- U.S.: ASCAP, BMI, or SESAC
- UK: PRS for Music
- Canada: SOCAN
📌 Why It Matters: If your music is played on radio, TV, or in venues, you get paid performance royalties.
2️⃣ Mechanical Licensing – Get Paid for Digital & Physical Copies
✅ Sign up with the MLC (U.S.) or Harry Fox Agency for mechanical royalties.
✅ Even if you distribute through DistroKid, these royalties are not automatically collected for you.
📌 Why It Matters: If you skip this step, you could be missing thousands in unpaid royalties.
3️⃣ SoundExchange – Digital Performance Royalties (Pandora, SiriusXM, etc.)
✅ Register with SoundExchange to collect royalties from digital radio and streaming services like Pandora and SiriusXM.
📌 Why It Matters: These royalties are not included in your DistroKid payouts.
🔥 AI Music Creators: Copyright & Distribution Considerations
If you create music using Suno AI, ChatGPT-generated lyrics, or other AI tools, you need to be extra careful with copyright.
1️⃣ AI Music & Copyright – What’s Yours vs. What’s Not
✅ Full AI-generated music may NOT qualify for full copyright.
✅ Partial copyright is possible for composition (melody, lyrics) but not for the sound recording.
✅ Post-AI Tweaks Improve Protection: Adding human vocals or instrumentals may qualify for full rights.
📌 Why It Matters: AI-generated music is still in a legal gray area—stay updated on copyright policies.
2️⃣ Does Your AI Music Need a Disclaimer?
✅ Some copyright offices require a disclosure of AI involvement.
✅ Be transparent about any AI-generated elements in your music.
📌 Why It Matters: AI music regulations may change, so documenting your process is smart for future-proofing.
🔥 Marketing & Monetization: Planning for Success
Even the best music won’t sell itself. Before uploading, have a basic marketing plan in place.
1️⃣ Budget for Costs – Know Your Expenses
✅ DistroKid membership: Starts at $23/year for unlimited uploads.
✅ Add-ons: Cover song licenses, “Leave a Legacy” ($29+ per song), etc.
✅ Copyright fees: U.S. Copyright Office fees range $35–$65 per track.
📌 Why It Matters: Music is a business—set aside money for distribution and promotion.
2️⃣ Social Media & Email List – Where’s Your Audience?
✅ Consistency is key: Have your Instagram, Twitter, TikTok, and YouTube accounts ready.
✅ Build an email list: Don’t rely solely on social media—email is direct and algorithm-proof.
📌 Why It Matters: Streaming royalties alone aren’t enough—you need an engaged audience.
3️⃣ Pre-Release Marketing – Don’t Just Drop & Pray
✅ Schedule your release at least 1 month in advance.
✅ Use social media teasers, behind-the-scenes content, and email announcements.
✅ Reach out to playlist curators before release day.
📌 Why It Matters: Simply uploading your song won’t generate listeners—you need to market it.
🔥 The One-Week System Check: Final Steps Before Uploading
📌 To prevent errors, finalize everything at least 1 week before your release.
✅ Double-check your spelling, credits, and metadata.
✅ Ensure your cover art meets all requirements.
✅ Test your audio quality—no glitches or errors.
✅ Confirm your DistroKid plan (Basic, Musician Plus, or Label).
🚀 Once all these steps are completed, you’re finally ready to upload your track with confidence!
🔥 Final Thoughts: Why Proper Prep Matters
📌 Rushing your release can lead to missing royalties, metadata mistakes, and weak marketing impact.
📌 A solid foundation means:
✅ Fewer headaches post-release.
✅ Faster approvals with no delays.
✅ Maximized earnings from every stream, sync, and royalty source.
🔥 Want to learn more? Get the full guide on setting up your DistroKid account and maximizing your music’s reach. 🚀
🚀 Ready to distribute? Get 7% off DistroKid here:
👉 Sign up for DistroKid
🔥 For more music business insights, bookmark:
👉 JackRighteous.com