TuneCore Guides

Advice on how to navigate music distribution, publishing, marketing, and promotion.

10 Artists You Need to Know for Hip-Hop History Month 2024
10 Artists You Need to Know for Hip-Hop History Month 2024 | TuneCore

Discover ten artists you need to know whose music imagines a vibrant future for hip-hop and the people who listen to it. There’s no skips in this group – we wouldn’t have it any other way.

How to Get Your First 1,000 Streams on Spotify
How to Get Your First 1,000 Streams on Spotify | TuneCore

Getting your first 1,000 streams on Spotify is a major benchmark for every independent musician. We’ll show you how to get past gatekeepers and achieve this milestone by playlist pitching, utilizing your network, and more.

TuneCore 101
TuneCore 101

Spotify Marquee: How To Get More Streams On Spotify LEGALLY
Spotify Marquee: How To Get More Streams On Spotify LEGALLY

Everyone wants more streams on DSPs like Spotify – here’s how to legally boost your numbers, increase your visibility, and avoid fraudulent behavior that could tank your career.

5 Simple Steps to Transfer Your Music or Catalog From Other Distributors to TuneCore
5 Simple Steps to Transfer Your Music or Catalog From Other Distributors to TuneCore

Claim your YouTube Official Artist Channel Today!
Claim your YouTube Official Artist Channel Today!

How To Book A Gig Yourself…and Be Invited Back
How To Book A Gig Yourself…and Be Invited Back

First Time Releasing Music? (How To) Make Sure You Do It Right
First Time Releasing Music? (How To) Make Sure You Do It Right

Unlimited Guides: Release Planning 101
Unlimited Guides: Release Planning 101

It’s Not Me, It’s You: How To Transfer Your Releases to TuneCore
It’s Not Me, It’s You: How To Transfer Your Releases to TuneCore

 Mechanical Licensing 101
Mechanical Licensing 101

TuneCore Offers Instant Access to Spotify for Artists
TuneCore Offers Instant Access to Spotify for Artists

How to Get Into the Music Industry
How to Get Into the Music Industry

Do you feel like an outsider looking in on the music industry? We’ve got your back. This guide to the modern music business covers the professions that make it up, how to get a foothold in it, and steps you can take to be and feel like an industry insider.

Best Music Marketing Strategies
Best Music Marketing Strategies for Music Artists | TuneCore

How to Get a Job in the Music Industry
How to Get a Job in the Music Industry

We demystify breaking into the Music Industry with real tips from industry professionals.

How To Make Money with Music as Your Primary Income Source
How to Make Money with Music & Live From It | TuneCore

Learn how to make money with music, and sustain a thriving career as a musician. Explore music monetization online strategies, and maximize your earnings.

Unlocking Opportunities: How to Get Booked for Music Shows and Festivals, Featuring SXSW Insights
How to Get Booked for Music Shows and Festivals, Featuring SXSW Insights

Do you want to play SXSW someday? Let us show you how to begin taking actionable steps towards music festival booking, from polished EPKs to local networking.

How to Grow on TikTok as a Music Artist
How to Grow on TikTok as a Music Artist and Earn Money

Learn how to grow on TikTok and blow up as a Music Artist. Explore strategies, optimize your profile, and master monetization with this comprehensive guide.

Beat Licensing 101
Beat Licensing 101

Everything you need to know as a Producer or an MC when it comes to licensing.

 The Basics of Vinyl
The Basics of Vinyl

Vinyl isn't going anywhere - is it the right fit for your music?

How To Get Your Audio Files Ready For Distribution
How To Format Your Audio Files For Stores Like Spotify and iTunes

Make sure the files you're sending to Spotify, Apple Music and Deezer don't get rejected!

7 Facts About Pre-Orders
7 Facts About Pre-Orders

How to set up and use pre-orders to build excitement around your next release.

What’s the Deal with Streaming Fraud? Here’s Everything You Need to Know.
What’s the Deal with Streaming Fraud? Here’s Everything You Need to Know.

Music Sampling and Beat Licensing 101
Music Sampling and Beat Licensing 101

Navigate the tricky world of sampling and beat licensing without risk of legal threats.

Whats The Difference Between a Pro and a Publishing Administrator
Whats The Difference Between a Pro and a Publishing Administrator

Do you think that ASCAP & BMI do the same thing as a Publishing Administrator? Think again. Welcome to the world of Music Publishing.

3 Things You Should Know About Cover Art
What to Know About Album Cover Art: Size, Dimensions & More

Everything you need to know about formatting your cover art for Spotify, iTunes and more.

Streaming Fraud on Spotify and Other Platforms, Plus How to Prevent It
Streaming Fraud on Spotify and Other Platforms, Plus How to Prevent It

Streaming fraud on Spotify and other platforms is changing the music industry. Here are actionable ways for you to identify and prevent it to advance your career with transparency and integrity intact.

+20 Essential Music Publishing Terms Musicians Must Know
+20 Essential Music Publishing Terms Musicians Must Know

To walk the walk of music publishing, you have to talk the talk – we can help with that. Presenting the basic music publishing terms that everyone needs to know, from “administrator” to “work for hire contracts.”

Music Publishing 101
How Music Publishing Works: Music Publishing Administration 101

Ever wondered how music publishing works? Wonder no more. Learn about royalty types, publishing administration, and ensure you collect the royalties your music is already generating.

TikTok For Musicians 101
TikTok For Musicians 101

Find your niche & be consistent. Here's how to master one of the most popular Social Platforms in the world.

How To Write a Song
How To Write a Song

Songwriting is an art– and it's personal to who you are as an artist. Find your perfect structure, learn how to uncover honest lyrics, and start building melodies that transcend.

Sync Licensing 101
How To Get Your Music Placed in TV, Movies, & More: Sync Licensing 101

Get to know the process of landing music in TV, film, ads and video games.

Copyrights 101
Music Copyrights 101 - Protect and Copyright Your Music

Get a better understanding for copyrights and what they mean for your music.

College Radio Promotion 101
College Radio Promotion 101

Follow this DIY guide for getting your music on influential college & indie radio stations across the country.

Spotify Playlists 101
Spotify Playlists 101

Getting your music on a prominent Spotify playlist can put you on the map for new fans across the globe. Here's the rundown on mastering the playlist pitching process.

How to Promote Your Music on Social Platforms
How to Promote Your Music on Social Platforms

TikTok revolutionized how fans connect with their favorite artists. Here’s how you can promote & maximize every new release across all Social Platforms.

How to Upload Dolby Atmos Immersive Audio to Apple Music
How to Upload Dolby Atmos Immersive Audio to Apple Music

Make sure your audio files are correct so you can upload Dolby Atmos Immersive Audio to Apple Music and create an immersive listening experience for your fans.

Making SoundCloud and Digital Distribution Work Together
Upload Your Music to SoundCloud and TuneCore - Reach More Fans

There's no need to choose between Soundcloud and wider digital distribution!

Pitching Your Music 101
How To Pitch Your Music to Blogs and Spotify Playlist Curators

Whether it's a music blog or a playlist - master your pitch!

Digital Marketing for Musicians 101
Digital Marketing 101: How To Promote and Market Your Music Online

Social media, email lists, EPKs, websites - how are you getting the word out about your music?

YouTube for Musicians 4 Fundamentals of YouTube Music
YouTube for Musicians 4 Fundamentals of YouTube Music

Learn how to master YouTube Music with art tracks, your own official artist channel, YouTube Shorts, and more.

Home Recording 101
Home Recording 101

From what gear to use, to soundproofing your studio: learn how to start recording & producing top-tier music from home.

How to Get Verified on TikTok
How to Get Verified on TikTok

There is no direct portal to apply for artist verification on TikTok. it's up to the TikTok and TuneCore teams to help you get verified. Here’s how to maximize your chances of getting verified on TikTok.

How to Distribute & Promote Your Music on BeatPort
How to Distribute & Promote Your Music on BeatPort

How does YouTube Content ID & Rights Ownership work?
How does YouTube Content ID & Rights Ownership work?

Content ID is YouTube’s digital fingerprinting system for identifying and managing copyrighted content. Make sure you know how to create and manage your Content ID assets to avoid ownership conflicts.

6 Ways to Increase Your Streams After the First Week
6 Ways to Increase Your Streams After the First Week

5 Reasons Why You Should be Releasing New Music Every Week
5 Reasons Why You Should be Releasing New Music Every Week

Your fans are on social media finding new music every day. Here's how to keep fans engaged & new listeners wanting more.

4 Ways to Master the TikTok Algorithm as a Musician
4 Ways to Master the TikTok Algorithm as a Musician

Uncover the mechanics behind TikTok’s content selection process and get your music trending on TikTok.