TikTok has become one of the most popular social media platforms, with over 1 billion monthly active users. The app allows users to create and share short videos set to music clips. For music artists, TikTok offers a valuable way to reach new audiences and promote their work through artist profiles.
Artist profiles on TikTok provide musicians with an official presence on the platform to showcase their music and personality. These profiles appear with a special badge that designates them as authentic artist accounts. Having an artist profile is important for musicians looking to grow their fanbase and get their music discovered on TikTok.
When an artist adds their music to their TikTok profile, it makes it easier for fans and other users to find, listen to, and share their songs. TikTok’s algorithm recommends music and content based on user interests and behaviors. Therefore, artists who upload their tracks can reach targeted new audiences organically who are likely to engage with their music.[1] Overall, artist profiles with music integrated are essential for making the most of TikTok for music promotion and connecting with fans.
Requirements for Adding Music
To add music to your TikTok artist profile, you must first have an artist account on TikTok. Artist accounts allow you to showcase original music and unlock additional features not available to standard TikTok accounts.
If your artist account is verified with a blue checkmark badge, you can directly upload your original music via the TikTok artist portal. Verified accounts also get access to additional analytics and promotional tools.
If your artist account is not yet verified, you still have options to add music. You can add pre-existing songs by searching for them and adding them to your profile. However, only verified accounts can upload entirely original, unreleased music.
Overall, the requirements depend on your verification status. Both verified and non-verified artist accounts can showcase music, but verified ones gain more control and promotional capabilities. Check TikTok’s artist help center for the latest differences between account types.
Uploading Original Music
If you want to upload your own original music to your TikTok artist profile, there are a few key steps to follow:
First, your audio file needs to meet TikTok’s requirements. You’ll want to upload an MP3 file that is under 1 minute long and under 50MB. For optimal quality, aim for an uncompressed .WAV file at 44.1 kHz sample rate. You’ll also want to pair your audio with a static image or video clip that appropriately represents your track [1].
Next, be sure you own all the rights to the track you are uploading. TikTok has strict copyright rules, so don’t upload any cover songs or unauthorized samples. Stick to original compositions to avoid any issues. Consider registering your song with your PRO (performance rights organization) for additional protection [2].
When ready, open the TikTok app and tap the “+” icon to create a new video post. Select “Upload” then pick your audio file and accompanying visual. Add any text or effects you want, then post it. Your original music will now be available for other users to add to their own videos.
Posting your music directly gives it the best shot at being discovered and used. Be sure to promote your TikTok music uploads across your other social channels too. Use relevant hashtags and check your analytics to see how your tracks are performing.
Adding Pre-Existing Music
If you want to add music recorded by other artists to your TikTok profile, you’ll need to make sure you have the proper licensing and rights. Many major label artists and publishers do not allow their music to be used on TikTok at all. You’ll want to find music from artists who explicitly allow their songs to be used on the platform.
You can work directly with independent artists and labels to license their music for use on your TikTok profile. Be sure to get their permission in writing. Some distributors like DistroKid allow artists to easily share their music to TikTok profiles if certain criteria are met, so check with your distributor.
When adding pre-existing music, be sure you have the proper rights to share full song streams. You may be able to use short clips under fair use, but the safest bet is getting explicit permission and/or a license. Follow TikTok’s music guidelines and community content policies to avoid any issues. Only add music you have confirmed you can legally share.
Music Settings
Once music is uploaded to your TikTok artist profile, there are various settings you can configure to control how your tracks are shared and promoted. One of the most important settings is making tracks shareable. By default, tracks are not shareable when first uploaded. To allow your fans to make TikToks with your music, you need to enable sharing. You can do this by editing each track and selecting the “Allow users to use your music in their videos” option.
Another key setting is geo-blocking music. TikTok operates in over 150 countries, but artists may want to limit where their music can be used based on licensing restrictions. The platform allows you to select which countries can access your catalog. To configure this, open the track settings and choose “Geo Availability.” Then select the countries where you have distribution rights.
Optimizing these music settings allows you to control how fans interact with your catalog internationally. Allowing shareability lets TikTokers dance to your beats in their videos. Geo-blocking protects unauthorized use in territories where you lack rights. Configuring these options helps you legally promote your music worldwide.
Music Promotion Tools
TikTok provides artists with several built-in tools to help promote their music within the app. Making strategic use of hashtags, playlists, recommendations, and cross-promotions can expand an artist’s reach and get their music in front of new audiences.
Hashtags and playlists are effective for getting music discovered in relevant niche communities. Including a few targeted hashtags like #newmusic or #unsignedartist in captions will put the video in front of users searching those tags. TikTok’s algorithm also detects sounds in videos and automatically adds them to related playlists, surfacing them to more users. Creating a full playlist of original music is another opportunity.
The “For You” page provides personalized recommendations based on users’ interests. Engaging often with fan content and using promotions prudently can increase the likelihood of TikTok suggesting an artist’s profile and music to new listeners.
Cross-promoting music across other social platforms exposes it to followers who may not be on TikTok. Sharing TikTok videos natively on Instagram, YouTube, Twitter etc. makes it easy for fans to discover the music.
Effectively using TikTok’s own marketing tools maximizes how many people hear and engage with an artist’s music within the app.
Analytics
TikTok provides detailed analytics for musicians to track the performance of their music and videos on the platform. This allows artists to identify their most popular tracks, understand their audience demographics, and optimize their content strategy.
In the app, artists can view real-time data on how many views, likes, comments, and shares each of their videos receives. The analytics dashboard shows total plays for each track, as well as daily, weekly, and monthly trends so musicians can see how their songs are resonating over time.
TikTok also provides demographic information on who is engaging with your content, including followers’ age, gender, location, device, interests, and more. Understanding your audience makeup is key for tailoring content that resonates with fans.
According to a recent Viberate blog post, “TikTok Music Analytics: Unlock Your Potential,” tracking TikTok analytics has proven incredibly beneficial for up-and-coming artists using the platform as a marketing tool. The data provides insight into which songs are ripe to be promoted as singles or used in high-potential user-generated content.[1]
Best Practices for TikTok Artists
To get the most out of TikTok as an artist, it’s important to follow some best practices when creating and sharing content. This will help you build an engaged audience and promote your music effectively.
When it comes to upload frequency, artists should aim to post at least 1-2 times per day. Consistency is key, so set a schedule for uploads that you can maintain. Posting more frequently, such as 3-5 times per day, can help increase views and follows. However, quality over quantity is advised – make sure each video is optimized and engaging.
To optimize audio and video, use high-quality recordings of your songs when possible. Trim clips to highlight the catchiest sections that will draw viewers in. Add visually appealing graphics, filters, captions, and effects to complement the music. Use optimal aspect ratios and orientations for vertical viewing. Test different cover images to see which thumbnails perform best.
Interacting with fans and commenters helps drive engagement. Reply to questions and feedback from listeners, and engage with trending audios by dueting or stitching other videos. Share behind-the-scenes clips to give fans an inside look at your creative process. Collaborate with other artists by remixing each other’s songs or featuring on dual uploads.
Following these tips will lead to an engaging, professional-looking TikTok presence that effectively promotes your music.
Troubleshooting
If you run into issues with the music on your TikTok artist profile, here are some troubleshooting tips:
Fixing Copyright Issues
If you receive a copyright notice about music you’ve uploaded, you’ll need to remove it immediately. TikTok has automatic detection tools that identify copyrighted material. Only upload original songs you created or have the rights to. See TikTok’s music guidelines for more details.
Deleted Music
If TikTok deletes your music due to a violation, you won’t be able to re-upload it. Avoid common copyright violations like sampling without permission. If you believe the takedown was a mistake, you can appeal it through TikTok’s dispute process.
Account Restrictions
If your account gets banned from using certain music features, you’ll need to follow TikTok’s instructions to lift the restrictions. This may involve removing offending content, going through an education program, or changing your account type if you switched from personal to business.
Conclusion
Adding music to your TikTok artist profile is an important step in engaging your audience and promoting your brand. To effectively add music, you’ll need to understand the requirements around copyright and licensing, learn how to directly upload your original songs, and leverage TikTok’s tools for sharing pre-existing songs. Carefully tailor your approach using TikTok-specific best practices around sound and video pairing, trends, and analytics.
The key steps covered in this guide focused on properly setting up your artist profile, uploading high-quality audio files, finding the right pre-existing songs to showcase your brand, customizing your audio settings, and taking advantage of built-in promotion features like adding songs to videos. Understanding how to leverage TikTok’s unique platform is vital for musicians – from short video lengths to duets to trend optimization, you need to cater your approach for this app’s audience.
With the right strategy, adding music can significantly boost your artist profile on TikTok. Use the analytics tools to see which songs resonate most with your followers. Continue optimizing your music and promotion approach over time. Most importantly, focus on creating authentic connections and art on TikTok that feels true to your brand.