Releasing music used to mean putting songs on CDs or vinyl and hoping someone would buy them in a store. Now, all it takes is a phone or a laptop. You can record a song in your bedroom, upload it, and have people listening to it all over the world within a few days. It seems easy—but the process behind it is a lot more detailed than most people realise.
Getting a song out there doesn’t just happen by chance. There are steps to follow, platforms to connect with, and things that need to be done right to make sure your music actually reaches listeners—no matter where they are.
So how does one song end up playing on phones and speakers around the world? Here’s how it really works.
Making the Song Is Just the Start
Everything begins with the music. You write, record, and finish your track. It might take hours or weeks. But once it’s done, you’re only at step one.
Before you share it with the world, you need to make sure your song is ready for release. That means checking the sound quality, deciding on the final version, and getting it into the right format. Most platforms ask for specific file types, like WAV or FLAC, and they have rules for loudness, length, and track names.
You also need to create the cover art and collect the song details—like the title, artist name, featured performers, and genre. This information is called metadata, and it travels with the song so people (and streaming services) know exactly what it is and who it belongs to.
Picking the Right Distributor
After your song is ready, you need to choose a music distributor. This is the service that sends your song to streaming platforms like Spotify, Apple Music, YouTube Music, and many others. Some distributors also deliver to social media platforms, online stores, and music libraries.
A good distributor doesn’t just upload your song. They also check for mistakes in your metadata, make sure your cover art meets platform rules, and send your song to the right stores with the correct info.
If your goal is to reach as many people as possible, you’ll want a distributor that offers global music distribution, like Horus Music. They help artists send their music worldwide and offer support to make sure everything is handled properly from start to finish.
Timing the Release
Once your song is sent to platforms, it doesn't go live immediately. You’ll usually pick a release date when setting up the distribution. This gives streaming services time to process your upload, and it gives you time to plan the launch.
Timing matters. If you rush the release, there’s less chance of getting on playlists or building excitement. But if you plan ahead, you can post about the song, share previews, and even let fans pre-save it.
Most platforms need at least 7–10 days before the release date to make sure everything is delivered and approved. Some artists choose to wait even longer—just to be safe.
Reaching the Platforms
Once your release date arrives, the distributor sends your song to all the platforms. This is where global reach really matters.
Not every listener uses the same app. In some countries, Spotify is the top streaming service. In others, it might be Apple Music, Boomplay, or a regional platform. Global distribution makes sure your song shows up on all of them—so no matter where someone lives, they can find your music.
Streaming platforms also use your metadata to place your song in the right category. If the genre or title is wrong, your song might not show up where it should. That’s why getting everything right before uploading is so important.
Getting Paid
Every time someone streams or buys your song, you earn money. It might not be a lot at first, but those streams add up.
Distributors collect the earnings from each platform and send it to you—usually once a month. Some of the money comes from plays, some from downloads, and some from licensing or background use.
To make sure you’re getting paid correctly, your song has to be linked to your name and your publishing info. If your details are missing or incorrect, those payments can get lost or delayed.
That’s another reason why having the right support in place matters. Some distributors also help with publishing and rights management, which keeps everything organized and fair.
Fixing Issues When They Happen
Sometimes, things go wrong. A song might show up under the wrong artist. The cover art might get flagged. Or a release might not show up on all platforms. These problems can be hard to fix alone—especially if you’re an independent artist.
But when you work with a distributor that offers full support, they help solve these issues quickly. They contact the platforms, make corrections, and make sure your music gets back on track.
Having this kind of backup is useful, especially if you’re releasing music regularly.
From One Song to Millions of Listeners
It’s pretty amazing that one song can travel from your computer to people’s playlists in dozens of countries. But that doesn’t happen by accident.
Global music distribution takes planning, attention to detail, and the right tools to make it work. It’s not just about uploading a track—it’s about doing things the right way so your music gets the reach it deserves.
If you're making music and ready to share it with the world, it helps to understand what happens after you hit "upload." Because that’s really just the beginning.