How to distribute to Pandora

For artists, record labels, and music app developers, distributing your music on various streaming platforms is essential for expanding your audience. Pandora is a major music streaming service, particularly popular in the United States. This guide will outline how to get your music on Pandora, the benefits, and what to expect in terms of revenue.

Why distribute music to Pandora?

Pandora is one of the largest radio and streaming platforms, offering access to millions of listeners. By distributing your music on Pandora, you can reach a wide audience and potentially increase your fanbase and income. The platform offers personalized music stations, live radio, and curated playlists, making it an excellent choice for music promotion.

Market share and popular regions

Pandora is particularly popular in the United States, where it has a vast reach and dedicated user base, making it a strategic platform for artists aiming to expand their presence in this region.

Steps to distribute music to Pandora

1. Use a Digital Distribution Service

To distribute your music on Pandora, you’ll need to use a digital distribution service. These services facilitate the process of uploading your music to various online stores and streaming platforms, including Pandora.

Popular digital distribution services that support Pandora:

• TuneCore
• RouteNote
• CD Baby
• DistroKid
• UnitedMasters

Steps to use a distributor:

1. Choose a distributor: Select one of the digital distribution services listed above.
2. Prepare your music:
   • High-quality audio files: Preferred formats are WAV or FLAC.
   • Album artwork: High-resolution images that meet the distributor’s specifications.
   • Metadata: Details such as song titles, album name, artist name, genre, and release date.
3. Upload your music:
   • Create an account on your chosen distribution service.
   • Upload your high-quality audio files.
   • Enter all relevant information about your music.
4. Select Pandora as a distribution platform: Ensure that Pandora is selected during the upload process.
5. Submit and monitor your release: After submitting your music, the distribution service will handle the rest. Your music will be reviewed and then made available on Pandora.

2. Submit through Pandora AMP

Artists can also submit their music directly to Pandora via the Pandora AMP (Artist Marketing Platform). Here’s how to do it:

1. Distribute to Pandora: Ensure your release is distributed to Pandora through a digital aggregator.
2. Submit for Review: Log into Pandora AMP and submit your content for consideration. Your music must have U.S. streaming rights and should not be a pre-release.
3. Follow Pandora's Guidelines: Make sure your submission complies with Pandora’s community and content policies.

For more details, visit Pandora's Indie Submissions page.

What they pay artists/record labels

Understanding the potential revenue from distributing music on Pandora is crucial. Earnings are primarily generated through streaming royalties.

Revenue breakdown

• Streaming royalties: Artists and record labels are paid per stream. The exact amount per stream can vary based on factors such as the listener’s location and subscription plan. Pandora operates on a revenue-sharing model where artists receive a proportionate share of the subscription and advertising revenue.

Payment timelines

Payments from digital distribution services to artists and record labels are usually made on a monthly basis, though this can differ by service. Most services offer direct deposit, PayPal, or other electronic payment methods.

Conclusion

Distributing your music to Pandora can significantly enhance your reach and revenue potential, especially in the United States. By following the steps outlined in this guide and using a reliable digital distribution service, you can ensure that your music is accessible to millions of potential listeners.