How To Sell Music on iTunes :
A 5-Step Guide...

There are many services you can use which offer you online music distribution.

I recommend TuneCore to artists I meet and work with as I'm familiar with the service and staff. I like the company and the service they offer independent artists.

See further below for a list of other music distribution companies you can use.

So, let's get right into it! Here are the steps to get your music onto iTunes...

1. Have your CD mastered...

... because you want it to be ready for commercial use. See this quick guide to having your CD mastered should you be unfamiliar with mastering, then come back to this page.

Ask your mastering engineer for a .wav file at 44.1 khz sample rate, 16 bit sample size. You don't have to worry about getting UPC and ISRC codes as the service you'll use to get our music into iTunes provides these codes for free.

2. Get your design and artwork ready...

... because your buyers need to see an image so this will be required as part of the submission of your tracks.

Create a JPG, GIF or PNG image with a size of 1600 x 1600 pixels. Make it best quality RGB Color with a minimum resolution of 72dpi.

Include only your artist or band name to the image and no other text.

3. Sign up for TuneCore...

... which is a music distribution company which offers you digital-only distribution for your music.

You'll find that, in addition to helping you sell music on iTunes, TuneCore can also get your tracks or albums into the retailers and marketplaces listed below...

• Rhapsody
  
• Napster
  
• MusicNet
  
• eMusic
  
• GroupieTunes / imvu / SonicTap
  
• Amazon MP3
  
• Lala.com
  
• ShockHound
  
• Amie Street
  
• LimeWire Store
  

Watch this video and then use the link below the video to sign up to TuneCore. You help me help independent artists when you sign up through the link below because TuneCore gives me a small commission for the referral which helps me to keep this web site up and growing. Thank you for your help!

4. Create a track or album...

This video shows you how to create a track or album with TuneCore...

Be sure you want to upload the tracks you upload because there is a $20 take-down fee should you want to remove track. Careful planning pays off!

So, now you know how to sell music on iTunes and other online retailers and you're selling like hotcakes!

Crack open a bottle of bubbl... huh? what's that you say? Not selling anything?

Why not?

You need one more step to actually sell music on iTunes ...

5. Promote! Promote! Promote!

Your music on iTunes or any other digital music market place is just that, it's on the site and available.

You now have to make sure people are aware of it and go there to buy it.

Your best option is to start a bit of buzz about the album 3 to 6 months before the launch via your web site and social networks. This gives you time to slowly but surely get attention ready for when the album hits the market.

You may even want to leak a sample track before the album release to help build interest in the release. This may even increase your sales of the album as people might feel indebted to purchase your music after you've given them something for free.

So, plan ahead and start to promote and publicize your album early and continue to do so as long as possible.

Remember, not all your potential fans will user the same networks and services online to communicate or buy music. You therefore want to go where your potential fans are.

Use your web site, use Twitter, use Facebook. Communicate with and engage people and guide them to where they can buy your music.

I suggest you take a look at the free Music Industry Survival Manual when you get a moment as this will help you get the big-picture when you decide to sell music on iTunes and other music retailers.

You'll also find other music distribution companies which can help you sell music on iTunes and sell your music online at other marketplaces. These include...

• CD Baby
  
• Nimbit
  
• ReverbNation
  
• SongCast
  

The above services are all reputable so I suggest you take a look should TuneCore not meet your specific needs.

I hope you've enjoyed this guide.

Be sure to check out the TuneCore FAQs should you have any further questions!

All the best,
Marius van Dyk

P.S. You can search Google for TuneCore should you for some reason not wish to support RenegadeProducer.com with your purchase, though I can't see why you wouldn't as it helps me help independent artists such as yourself.

Please use my affiliate link below when you sign up for Tunecore. This site earns a small percentage and the cost is the same for you. Thank you for your support.

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