The Ultimate Guide to Earning Money by Submitting Your Single on Apple Music

The music industry has changed dramatically in the last decade. Gone are the days when you needed a record deal to distribute your music to a global audience. With platforms like Apple Music, independent artists now have the opportunity to make money from their music without relying on a label. If you’re an artist looking to turn your passion into a revenue stream, learning how to submit your single on Apple Music to get paid is a crucial step.

Apple Music is one of the largest streaming platforms in the world, with over 100 million subscribers. It allows musicians to earn royalties every time their song is streamed. However, many artists are unsure about how to get their music onto Apple Music, how payments work, and what strategies can maximize their earnings. In this guide, we’ll cover everything you need to know to successfully submit your song and start making money from your music.

Why Choose Apple Music for Your Music Distribution?

With numerous streaming platforms available, you might wonder why Apple Music should be your go-to choice. Here are a few reasons why distributing your music on Apple Music is a smart move:

1. Massive Audience Reach

Apple Music has millions of users worldwide, which means your music can reach a global audience without the need for a label or a middleman. The more people who stream your song, the more royalties you earn.

2. Higher Royalty Rates

Compared to other streaming platforms, Apple Music offers a more competitive payout per stream. While Spotify pays an average of $0.003 to $0.005 per stream, Apple Music pays around $0.01 per stream, which means you need fewer plays to make a significant amount of money.

3. Advanced Analytics and Artist Tools

Apple Music provides artists with detailed insights into how their music is performing. You can track which cities your streams are coming from, how many unique listeners you have, and which songs are resonating most with your audience.

Step-by-Step Guide to Submitting Your Single on Apple Music

Now that you understand the benefits, let’s dive into the actual process of submitting your music and ensuring you get paid for every stream.

Step 1: Choose a Music Distributor

Unlike SoundCloud or Bandcamp, Apple Music does not allow artists to upload music directly. Instead, you must use a music distribution service. These services act as a bridge between you and Apple Music, ensuring that your song is properly formatted, licensed, and submitted.

Here are some of the top music distribution services you can use:

Delivermytune– Known for fast distribution and low-cost unlimited uploads.
TuneCore – Offers a pay-per-release model but gives artists 100% of their earnings.
CD Baby – Provides both distribution and promotional services.
Amuse – A free option with premium upgrades for additional features.

Pick a distributor that best fits your budget and long-term music goals.

Step 2: Prepare Your Single for Distribution

Before you can upload your song, you need to ensure that it meets Apple Music’s requirements.

High-Quality Audio – Your song should be in WAV or FLAC format to maintain professional sound quality.
Cover Art – Apple Music requires a 3000×3000 pixel image for your album or single cover. Ensure it’s high resolution and free from copyright issues.
Metadata – This includes your song title, artist name, album name (if applicable), and composer details. Make sure this information is correct, as it will be displayed on Apple Music.

Step 3: Upload and Submit Your Single

Once you have your song ready, follow these steps to submit it through your chosen distributor:

Sign in to your distributor’s dashboard.
Select “Apple Music” as a platform for distribution.
Upload your song file and cover art.
Enter all required metadata (song title, genre, artist name, etc.).
Set a release date for your single.
Submit for review and approval.

Most distributors take anywhere from a few days to a couple of weeks to process and submit your track to Apple Music. If you have a specific release date in mind, make sure you submit your song well in advance.

Understanding Apple Music Royalties and How You Get Paid

Once your song is live on Apple Music, you will start earning money based on the number of streams it gets. But how exactly do the payments work?

1. How Apple Music Calculates Royalties

Apple Music pays artists based on a pro-rata system, which means your earnings depend on how much Apple Music generates in subscription revenue and how many total streams occur in a given period.

2. How Much Can You Earn?

On average, Apple Music pays $0.01 per stream. Here’s a rough estimate of how much you can make:

10,000 streams = $100
50,000 streams = $500
100,000 streams = $1,000
1,000,000 streams = $10,000

These numbers may vary depending on the listener’s subscription type and country, but they provide a general idea of potential earnings.

3. When and How Do You Get Paid?

Your distributor collects the royalties from Apple Music and pays them to you. The payment schedule varies depending on the distributor:

Delivermytune– Monthly payments.
TuneCore – Payments made as soon as you reach a withdrawal threshold.
CD Baby – Pays weekly once you reach a certain amount.

Make sure your bank or PayPal details are updated in your distributor’s account to receive payments without delays.

How to Promote Your Single and Increase Your Earnings

Having your song on Apple Music is just the beginning. To maximize your earnings, you need to actively promote your music and drive streams.

1. Use Social Media for Marketing

Share snippets of your song on Instagram, TikTok, and Twitter.
Encourage fans to pre-save your single before release.
Create behind-the-scenes content to engage your audience.

2. Submit Your Song to Playlists

Apple Music’s curated playlists can significantly boost your streams. Submit your track to playlist curators using services like SubmitHub or directly through your distributor.

3. Run Digital Ads

Investing in Facebook and Instagram ads can help push your song to new audiences. Target listeners based on genre preferences and streaming habits.

4. Collaborate with Influencers & Other Artists

Work with music influencers to promote your song.
Feature on other artists’ tracks to tap into their audience.

Conclusion

With the right approach, you can successfully submit your single on Apple Music to get paid and start earning from your music. The key is to use a reliable distributor, ensure your song meets Apple Music’s requirements, and actively promote your release.

If you’re serious about making a career in music, consistency is key. Keep releasing new music, engaging with your audience, and exploring different ways to monetize your talent.

Are you ready to take your music career to the next level? Drop a comment below and let us know your biggest challenges in music distribution! 🚀🎶