Releasing music independently requires more than just finishing the track. There's a list of business and administrative steps that should happen before every release — and most independent artists skip at least half of them.
This checklist covers everything from documentation to distribution to royalty setup, so you can release music knowing your rights are protected and your royalties are flowing to the right place.
Before You Record
☐ Agree on Collaboration Terms
If you're working with any other songwriter, producer, or featured artist, establish upfront: who owns what percentage of the publishing? Who owns what percentage of the master? What is each party's role? These conversations are much easier before the session than after.
☐ Get a Split Sheet Signed
Once those percentages are agreed upon, document them in a signed split sheet before anyone leaves the session (or before the track is delivered). A split sheet should cover:
- Song title and any identifiers
- Each collaborator's name, contact, PRO, and IPI number
- Publishing split percentage for each party
- Master split percentage for each party
- Signatures from all parties
You can generate a professional split sheet PDF at musicsplitsheets.com for $3. If there's a producer with a stake in the master, add the $5 bundle which includes a Letter of Direction for SoundExchange.
Documentation
☐ Assign an ISRC Code
Every track needs an International Standard Recording Code before distribution. Your distributor (DistroKid, CD Baby, TuneCore, etc.) will assign one if you don't have your own ISRC registrant code. Keep a record of the ISRC for each recording.
☐ Get Your ISWC (if available)
The International Standard Musical Work Code identifies the composition. Most PROs assign this when you register your song. Not strictly required before release, but useful to have on record.
☐ Register Your Copyright (Optional but Recommended)
Register the composition and/or sound recording with the U.S. Copyright Office at copyright.gov. This isn't required to own copyright, but it gives you the ability to sue for statutory damages if your work is infringed. Registration before infringement or within 3 months of publication provides the strongest protection.
PRO and Royalty Setup
☐ Join a PRO (If You Haven't)
If you write songs, you need to be a member of ASCAP, BMI, or SESAC to collect performance royalties. Choose one and join — you can only be a member of one US PRO at a time.
☐ Register the Song with Your PRO
Every song you release should be registered with your PRO, with all co-writers and their percentages accurately listed. This registration is what allows you to collect performance royalties from radio, streaming, TV, and live performances.
☐ Register with the Mechanical Licensing Collective (MLC)
Go to themlc.com and create a free account as a copyright owner. Register each song you're releasing to collect mechanical royalties from US streaming services. This is separate from your PRO registration.
☐ Set Up SoundExchange Accounts
If you own any part of the master recording, register with SoundExchange to collect digital performance royalties from Pandora, SiriusXM, and other non-interactive streaming platforms.
☐ File a Letter of Direction with SoundExchange (If Applicable)
If the master is split between multiple parties (e.g., artist and producer), submit a Letter of Direction to SoundExchange directing how to divide the payments. Without this, all SoundExchange royalties go to the primary registered account holder.
Distribution
☐ Choose Your Distributor
Select a digital distribution service (DistroKid, CD Baby, TuneCore, RouteNote, AWAL, etc.) and set up your release. Compare annual vs. per-release pricing and understand what the distributor takes, if anything.
☐ Schedule Your Release Date
Most platforms recommend submitting at least 7–10 days before your target release date. Spotify editorial pitching (through Spotify for Artists) requires at least 7 days before release.
☐ Pitch for Playlist Consideration
Submit your track for editorial playlist consideration through Spotify for Artists, Apple Music for Artists, and Amazon Music for Artists before your release date.
Marketing Preparation
☐ Prepare Your Assets
Cover art, artist photo, bio, lyric video or visualizer, press release (if relevant). Have these ready before release day.
☐ Plan Your Release Strategy
Content calendar for socials, email list announcement, any press outreach. A song released with no promotion is a song released to silence.
☐ Update Your Artist Profiles
Spotify for Artists, Apple Music for Artists, Amazon Music for Artists — make sure your bio, images, and artist pick are current before the song drops.
Day of Release
☐ Confirm Distribution is Live
Check that the song is actually available on the platforms you expected. This sometimes requires manually confirming on each platform.
☐ Post Across Channels
Email list, social media, any pre-planned press. Engagement in the first 24–48 hours signals to platforms that the song is worth surfacing.
The Most Important Step: Documentation
Most of the items on this checklist can be completed later. The documentation step — especially the split sheet — cannot. Once a song is released and earning, disputes about ownership become much harder and more expensive to resolve.
Get the split sheet signed before release. Everything else can be caught up on. That one can't.