From forgetting metadata to not utilizing social media correctly in the right moments, these are the traps artists fall into when releasing new music. Releasing your music and finding an audience takes the right mix of tools and knowledge. From gathering your assets for submission to promoting your music and growing your fan base, there’s a lot of room to go wrong even if it’s not your first time.
Drawing on our experience serving over two million artists worldwide, we’ve rounded up the most common mistakes we see artists make and resources to help you avoid them. Read on to feel prepared at every turn.
KEY TAKEAWAYS
- Over 100,000 tracks are released daily a promotion plan is essential to stand out
- Cover art and metadata errors are a leading cause of release delays and rejections
- Most artists collect only 1 of 6 possible royalty types, leaving revenue unclaimed
- A consistent artist brand helps fans recognize and connect with you across every release
- Social media strategy should align with clear goals to avoid burnout
- Releasing music consistently builds momentum and makes fan growth easier to track
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Submitting cover art or metadata that doesn’t meet requirements
Errors in your cover art or other metadata (i.e. essential information about your music) can lead to release delays and rejections. Before you submit your music, be sure your cover art meets platform requirements and your metadata is accurate and consistent.
It’s not only about getting your release live on time. Clean and accurate metadata gives you a strong foundation for unlocking opportunities down the road — from arranging publishing deals to signing with a label. Good data makes everything easier.
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Releasing music without a plan to promote it to your fans
Over 100,000 new tracks hit streaming platforms every day. That means just getting your music out there isn’t enough to find your fans. You need a plan to cut through the noise if you want to boost your streams.
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Missing out on revenue from uncollected music royalties
Many independent artists release their music and focus solely on collecting recording royalties from streaming platforms through their distributor. But that’s only one of six common music royalties that together, add up to quite a bit of easy revenue. You’re probably earning other forms of royalties already — through streaming, live performances, radio play, and more. You just need to take the steps to collect them.
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Not building an artist brand that fans can identify
No amount of marketing — be it paid ads, social posts, emails, or live shows can make up for a lack of artist branding. Every appearance is a chance to make your identity and creative world stick with fans. But if your social profile has no consistent aesthetic, your live show feels different every time, and your releases don’t tell a story, fans have no clear way to get to know you.
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Burning out on social media
Social media enables you to reach global audiences in a matter of seconds. It’s also incredibly effective at making local music scenes more accessible and navigable. Maintaining your social media presence gives fans a way to discover your sound and stay connected with you beyond the music.
But make no mistake, burnout is real. If you feel overwhelmed or drained by constant posting, it’s time to reassess your strategy. Think: what do you want to accomplish and how will social media help you get there?
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Releasing music too infrequently to build momentum
It’s difficult to grow your fan base if you aren’t releasing music on a consistent basis. It’s also hard to gauge your growth if you don’t have metrics to prove it. Artists that don’t do either end up having to rebuild their foundation every time they start promoting a new release and that’s not sustainable.