What Is DSP Submission? A Guide For New Artists
If you're a new artist trying to get your music heard, you've probably come across the term "DSP Submission" and wondered what it means. Don't worry, you're not alone. It might sound technical, but it’s actually pretty simple. This guide will help you understand the basics of DSP submission, why it’s important, and how you can get started.
First off, DSP stands for "Digital Service Provider." These are platforms like Spotify, Apple Music, Amazon Music, and Tidal where people go to stream and listen to music. Getting your songs onto these platforms is what DSP submission is all about. In other words, it’s the process of sending your music to streaming services so that people can find and enjoy it.
You usually won’t send your music to Spotify or Apple Music directly. Instead, you go through what’s called a music distributor. Some popular ones include DistroKid, TuneCore, and CD Baby. These companies help you upload your tracks, enter song info (like artist name, song title, release date), and submit everything to many DSPs at once. buzzclick-music is an example of one place that keeps up with these kinds of tools and trends, giving new artists helpful insights.
Now, let’s talk about why this matters. People don't really buy CDs or MP3s anymore. If you want others to hear your music, the easiest way is through streaming. And the better your song is prepared for submission (good quality audio, proper cover art, correct artist name), the smoother the process will be.
Here are a few quick tips:
- Give yourself enough time. Distributors often recommend submitting your song 2-4 weeks before your release date so it has time to get approved and show up on platforms.
- Double-check your info. Mistakes like misspelled artist names or wrong track titles can cause delays.
- Consider submitting your song for playlist consideration. Platforms like Spotify allow you to pitch unreleased tracks to editors directly through their artist portals.
Finally, don’t stress too much. Your first submission might feel like a big step, but you’ll get the hang of it. Keep focusing on making good music, learning as you go, and growing your audience one release at a time.