How to Upload Songs on ReverbNation (Step-by-Step Guide)
If you’re an artist or music promoter looking to get tracks online fast, ReverbNation makes it simple. This complete tutorial walks you through every step—from preparing your audio to hitting “publish,” plus pro tips for quality, discoverability, and troubleshooting. It’s written for beginners but detailed enough for pros who want a clean, repeatable process.
At a Glance (What You’ll Do)
- Prepare your audio file (correct format, size, and sample rate).
- Log in to your ReverbNation artist account.
- Go to Content → Songs and click + Add a New Song.
- Fill in your song details (title, availability, price if selling).
- Publish, preview, and share.
If you also plan to sell or distribute your release to platforms like Apple Music and Spotify, you’ll use ReverbNation’s Digital Distribution tools after the upload.
SEO Set-Up for This Article (you can copy this to your blog)
- Suggested URL/Slug: /how-to-upload-songs-on-reverbnation-step-by-step
- Title Tag (60–65 chars): How to Upload Songs on ReverbNation: Step-by-Step (2025)
- Meta Description (150–160 chars): Learn how to upload music to ReverbNation step by step. Formats, size limits, pricing, distribution, and troubleshooting for a smooth release.
What You Need Before You Upload
- Artist account on ReverbNation (log in first).
- Audio file that meets ReverbNation specs. For your artist profile upload, MP3 works best and must be under 8 MB with 44.1 kHz sample rate.
- If you’re using Digital Distribution, ReverbNation accepts WAV (44.1 kHz, 16-bit, uncompressed) or MP3 (192–320 kbps; 44.1 or 48 kHz). Note: MP3s are converted to WAV; listen back to confirm quality.
Quick Audio Prep Tips
- For profile streaming, export a high-quality MP3 and keep it under 8 MB (shorten intros/outros if needed).
- For distribution, upload a proper 16-bit/44.1 kHz WAV to avoid extra conversion.
Step-by-Step: Upload a Song to Your ReverbNation Artist Page
- Log in to your ReverbNation artist account.
- In the top navigation, click Content → Songs.
- Click + Add a New Song. A pop-up opens.
- Upload your file (use MP3 for profile uploads; keep it ≤ 8 MB at 44.1 kHz).
- Enter song details:
- Title: Use your official release title.
- Availability: Choose streaming, download, or both.
- Pricing (optional): Set a price if you plan to sell the MP3 via your profile’s eCommerce option later.
- Save/Publish the song.
- Preview the track on your artist page to confirm playback quality.
If your song doesn’t upload, first re-try the upload, confirm your file isn’t corrupt, and ensure your browser is up to date; then check file size limits.
How to Upload Songs on ReverbNation
Optional: Enable eCommerce or Use Digital Distribution
A) Sell the MP3 on Your Profile
- Go to Content → Songs, click the pen icon next to your song, enable eCommerce, and set a price.
B) Distribute to Major Platforms
- Navigate to Tools → Digital Distribution, then follow the steps to submit your single/EP/album. Use WAV 44.1 kHz/16-bit for best quality; MP3 (192–320 kbps) is accepted but will be converted to WAV.
On-Page Optimization (So Your Song Gets Found)
Treat your song page like a mini-landing page:
- Song Title: Use the exact release name. If relevant, add the main artist and featured artist.
- Description: 1–2 short paragraphs with natural keywords like “Afrobeats,” “Nigerian gospel,” or “Wizkid-style Afro-fusion” (use what actually fits).
- Tags/Genre: Choose the most accurate genre/sub-genre so fans and promoters can find you.
- Lyrics: Paste clean, formatted lyrics—great for search and for fans.
- Cover Image: Use a clear square image; keep consistent branding across platforms.
- Links: After publishing, add Store Links/Widgets so fans can buy or stream elsewhere too (Tools → Widgets → Storelinks).
Advanced Metadata Checklist (Copy & Use)
- ISRC (if distributing)
- Primary artist, featured artists (exact spellings)
- Language
- Explicit/clean label
- Composer(s)/Writer(s) credits
- Release date (use the exact date you plan to announce)
- UPC/EAN (for albums, if applicable—ReverbNation provides this in distribution)
Troubleshooting Upload Issues
Problem: MP3 won’t upload.
- Make sure it’s ≤ 8 MB and at 44.1 kHz sample rate for profile uploads. Try a second or third attempt and verify your connection/browser.
Problem: File too large.
- Shorten silence at the start/end, export at a reasonable bitrate for profile streaming, or upload a WAV only for distribution (not for the 8 MB profile limit).
Problem: Audio quality changed after distribution.
- MP3s are converted to WAV by ReverbNation. Upload a proper WAV to control mastering quality. Always listen back to the processed file.
How to Upload Songs on ReverbNation
Best Practices for Sound and Presentation
- Master for streaming: Leave a little headroom (true peak around −1 dBTP; integrated LUFS around −14 to −9 for modern genres).
- Consistent naming: Keep the same artist and track spellings across platforms.
- Artwork: Use clean, readable text at thumbnail size; follow your brand template.
- Teasers: Cut 15–30 second teasers for socials and link back to your ReverbNation page or smart link.
Sharing & Promoting Your Upload
- Pinned post on social platforms with a short, compelling hook (what the song is about, producer credit, and a call-to-action).
- Email blast to your list on release day.
- Widgets/Storelinks from ReverbNation so fans can buy or stream on their preferred platform.
- Press one-sheet: Song title, artwork, credits, short bio, and a ReverbNation link for blogs and DJs.
- TikTok/YouTube Shorts: Performance snippets, behind-the-scenes, or lyric bites.
Step-by-Step Recap (Quick Reference)
- Prep your file
- Profile uploads: MP3, ≤ 8 MB, 44.1 kHz.
- Distribution: WAV 44.1 kHz/16-bit recommended (MP3 192–320 kbps accepted).
- Content → Songs → + Add a New Song.
- Fill in details: Title, availability (stream/download), optional price.
- Publish and preview the page.
- Promote using Widgets/Storelinks and your social channels.
FAQ
Q: Can I upload WAV to my artist page?
For Digital Distribution, WAV is accepted and preferred. For your profile page upload, follow the MP3 and size requirements (≤ 8 MB, 44.1 kHz).
Q: What bitrate should I use?
For distribution, use WAV to avoid re-encoding. If you must use MP3, 192–320 kbps is accepted for distribution; for profile streaming, keep the file under 8 MB.
Q: How do I sell my song?
Enable eCommerce in Content → Songs (pen icon → eCommerce) to set a price, or use Tools → Digital Distribution to sell in online stores.
Final Thoughts
Whether you’re uploading a single for fans to stream on your ReverbNation page or preparing a high-quality master for global distribution, the key is getting the file specs right and filling in complete, consistent metadata. Follow the steps above, listen back after publishing, and push traffic with strong visuals and smart links.
Sources: Official ReverbNation Help Center articles on uploading songs, formats, size limits, and selling/distribution.
