How to Distribute Your First Single: A Step-by-Step Guide
Let's break down the process step by step and first introduce you to YEEBRA. It is a modern, highly affordable music distribution platform that is made for independent artists just like yourself where you keep 100% of your streaming revenues. And yes, you heard that right! Here's the friendly, no-fluff roadmap that gets your music from hard drive to Spotify, TikTok, Apple Music, YouTube, Beatport, and all the other platforms without losing control (or cash).
Why wait? Let's get started.
Table of Contents
- Why Digital Distribution Matters
- Pre-Release Checklist: 5 Things You Need Before You Upload
- Why Yeebra is the right distributor for you (Spoiler: Flat-Fee Beats Revenue Splits)
- Step-by-Step: Release Your First Single With Yeebra
- Promotion Hacks After Release
- Final Thoughts + Next Steps
1. Why Digital Distribution Matters
If your track isn't on the streaming platforms people actually use, it might as well not exist. Digital distribution puts your music everywhere - so fans can stream, download, Shazam, playlist, and share it the second inspiration hits them.
But there's a catch: Digital streaming platforms such as Spotify, Apple Music, YouTube and TikTok don't let artists upload directly. They work with approved distributors who check file specs, embed metadata, assign codes, and ferry royalties back to you. Those premium services make sure your music is correctly formatted, tagged and delivered with the right metadata (we'll get on that later). Enter Yeebra - a Europe-built, artist-first distributor that charges €12 per year and lets you keep 100 % of your royalties. Unlimited releases, Beatport included and super transparent pricing! We handle all the lovely technical stuff you shouldn't think about (D'oh!) such as:
- Uploading your track to all major platforms.
- Organizing metadata and codes, such as ISRCs.
- Ensuring your song is available worldwide.
- Collecting your streaming and download royalties.
- Providing you with detailed stats and performance analytics.
Next, we'll walk you through what you need to have ready before you even hit 'Release'.
2. Pre-Release Checklist: 5 Things You Need Before You Upload
| # | Item | Why It Matters |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Final mix & master (16-bit/44.1 kHz WAV) |
Platforms reject low-res files; fans skip muddy mixes. |
| 2 | Cover art (3000 × 3000 px, JPG) |
First impressions happen in thumbnails. Keep it clean, no URLs or IG handles. |
| 3 | Metadata (title, artist, genre, language, explicit flag) |
Correct spelling = correct payouts and search results. |
| 4 | ISRC & UPC codes | Digital fingerprints that track every stream. Yeebra auto-generates these for free. |
| 5 | Release-date strategy (min. 2 - 3 weeks out) |
Gives you time to pitch playlists and run pre-saves. |
3. Why Yeebra Is The Right Distributor For You
| Must-Have | What Yeebra Looks Like | Why You Care |
|---|---|---|
| Transparent pricing | Flat yearly fee, no per-release charges, 0% cut for streaming and downloads | You keep more money for plugins and pizza. |
| Massive store reach | Spotify, Apple Music, TikTok, Beatport (huge for DJs), + regional apps like Boomplay and Anghami | More stores = more listeners = more royalties. |
| Beginner-friendly dashboard | Step-by-step release builder & clear error prompts | Less tech-induced headache, faster uploads. |
| Real analytics | Streams, downloads, revenue in one place | Data tells you where to double down on promo. |
| Artist-first mindset | Built for indies, not labels | You call the shots, period. |
4. Step-by-Step: Release Your First Single With Yeebra
Well done! If you've come this far, it's clear what you want. Now, let's take you through the process of releasing your first single with YEEBRA. You can trust that the whole experience is designed to be efficient, straightforward, and accessible, even if you're a complete novice. Total time: about 10 minutes of setup, then grab a coffee while Yeebra ships your track worldwide.
Step 1: Create Your Account & Artist
- Go to www.yeebra.com and sign up for an account with only your email address.
- After verifying your email, click on 'My Artists' to create a new artist profile.
- Double-check the spelling of your artist name and activate your membership for just €12 annually per artist.
- With this, you receive unlimited releases and keep 100% of your revenue from music streaming and downloads.
Step 2: Start a New Release
In your YEEBRA dashboard, select the option labeled "Upload New Track." This is where you will start inputting the information for your single. You will be prompted to:
- Input a product title (for a single, it matches the track title)
- Choose the language
- Provide the Label name
- Upload the cover art
Everything is laid out in an easy step-by-step format, so you never feel lost. And if you have any questions, feel free to ask.
Step 3: Upload Cover Art
Upload your artwork (3000x3000 pixels, JPG) by dragging and dropping it here. YEEBRA's uploader provides a live preview, allowing you to verify how it will look on streaming platforms.
Step 4: Upload Your Audio File
Enter the title of your track and upload your completed mastered audio in WAV format (16 bit at 44.1kHz or 24 bit at 44.1/48/96kHz). YEEBRA will automatically check your file to confirm it adheres to platform standards. There's no need to be concerned about file specifications, if there's a problem, you'll get a prompt right away to correct it.
At this point, you can also select from any of the artists you have already created.
Step 5: Fill in Metadata
This includes all the key information that platforms use to list and categorize your song:
- Select Artist
- Track title and select language
- Select genre and subgenre
- Credits for Composers, Lyricists and Performers
- Publisher Information
If this sounds too technical, don't worry. YEEBRA makes each field easy to understand with built-in tooltips.
Step 6: Schedule Your Release
Click on "Release" and set a release date at least 2 weeks in advance. This gives you time to:
- Promote your release
- Pitch to playlists
- Run pre-save campaigns
YEEBRA allows future-dated scheduling, so your song goes live on the exact day you choose.
Step 7: Submit For Distribution
Once everything looks good, hit "Submit." We will send your release to all releavant platforms and many more for review and processing. In most cases, your music will be live on all platforms within 3 - 7 business days when no release date was set.
That's it! Your first single is officially out in the world - streaming, trending, and growing your music career.
5. Promotion Hacks After Release
| Tactic | How To Do It | Result |
|---|---|---|
| Re-share, don't spam | Teasers → launch day → weekly reminders with new angles (lyric snippet, fan reaction) | Algorithms love consistent engagement. |
| Leverage inner circle | Friends, Discords, local groups - ask for saves & shares | Early traction signals playlists that the track's hot. |
| Playlist pitching | Submit via Spotify for Artists 7 days before release; try SubmitHub & Groover | A single playlist slot can 10× streams overnight. |
| Short-form video | TikTok/IG Reels: studio clip, story behind the hook, POV reaction | Discovery engines reward native content over ads. |
| Keep momentum | Drop an acoustic version, remix, or lyric video 3 - 4 weeks later | Extends shelf life and boosts algorithmic pushes. |
6. Final Thoughts: Press Upload - Then Keep Going
Hitting "Release" on your first single isn't just a checkbox. It's you taking ownership of your career. But let's be honest, it can feel overwhelming. Between mastering your track, designing artwork, uploading metadata, and promoting your release, it's easy to get stuck in the details or doubt yourself along the way. That's exactly why YEEBRA exists. And with Yeebra's €12 flat fee and 100 % royalty model for streaming and downloads, there's literally nothing stopping you.
Let's quickly recap what you've learned:
- You only need one song to get started
- You can prep everything yourself: audio, artwork, metadata
- YEEBRA lets you distribute your music to all relevant streaming platforms: fast, affordably, and globally
- You keep 100% of your streaming and downloads revenue
- Promotion is just as important as the release itself and totally doable with a bit of consistency
So what now?
Easy as pie. Head back to that track you've been sitting on. Wrap it up. Enhance the artwork. And sign up with YEEBRA for proper distribution. Don't overthink it. Don't wait for perfection, because it never truly exists. The only misstep is not releasing it at all.
Your first single could mark the beginning of something big. The world is listening - make sure your song is out there with YEEBRA.