TikTok is the latest social media platform to go mainstream. More importantly, it has become a giant hub for music and viral videos. In order to get noticed, you should have your music uploaded on the platform for others to use.
Want to know how to get your music used as a sound on TikTok? There are two different ways to go about it.
Uploading your own sound manually
The DIY way to go about using your song as a TikTok sound is by manually uploading the sound. It is a pretty simple set up – but if you don’t go through a distributor, you won’t be getting any cash from it.
1: Upload a video clip with the audio you’d like to use as a sound.
2: Click the spinning profile photo on the bottom right corner of the video.
3: Click the little pen to change the sound name, we recommend “Song Name – Artist Name”
Using a distribution platform
TuneCore
TuneCore has outlined the ways in which TikTok streams can get you money. It’s as simple as choosing it during your release upload. They offer unlimited releases for a price starting at $14.99. In addition, you don’t have to give up any part of your song and you get to keep 100% of revenue from the digital stores and social media.
Symphonic
In 2019, Symphonic announced that they partnered with TikTok to start distribution on that platform!
When you’re creating your release in Symphonic, there is a new feature titled “Clip Start Time.” This is where you will choose the section of your song that will be used as a TikTok sound.
The duration of the video sound will be 30 seconds long, so be sure to choose a section of your song that will work for the platform – i.e. a clip that can be used to create a dance challenge, a comedic trend, or an acting trend. A lot of people use these sounds to make jokes with the lyrics, like this video.
Once you’ve done this, make sure you select “TikTok” for delivery. You can also adjust your clip times through an edit and re-delivery. There is more information on that in this blog post from Symphonic.
CD Baby
CD Baby started distributing to TikTok in January of this year. They made it available for both new releases and previously released music. For a new release, make sure you are opted in to “music distribution to streaming platforms.” If your music has already been released through CD Baby, they are automatically releasing it to TikTok. They’ve made this process incredibly easy if you ask me!
Distrokid
Distrokid seems to have gone the simple route that CD Baby paved. For new releases, simply select the box titled “TikTok” when uploading music. For old releases, you can click “Add more stores,” choose “TikTok,” and click “Add.” If you don’t see a “TikTok” option there, then you’ve already distributed to that platform.
There are countless other distribution platforms sending their artist’s music to TikTok, these are just some of our favorites.
If we had to recommend one, we would say that Symphonic sounds like the best option. They have customization of clip time, which is something that is extremely important for a platform like TikTok.
Make sure to use your own sound once you’ve uploaded it as well as follow other trends on the app to grow your following on that platform!
Want more social media advice? Download this Live-streaming and Promotion Checksheet for more information on how to post successful livestreams on social media and how to make money off it.
