Your first release checklist

What this guide covers

Everything to have ready before you begin building your first release.

NORTH keeps your catalog, delivery, reporting, royalties, and workspace access connected. Small setup choices made early — especially names, email addresses, artist identities, and workspace type — affect the rest of the workflow.

Before you start

• Use an email address you actively monitor.
• Confirm whether you are operating as an artist or label.
• Have the exact artist and label names you intend to use on releases.
• Keep your login private; invite teammates separately instead of sharing credentials.

Step by step

1. 01

   Prepare the final master audio for every track.

2. 02

   Prepare square cover artwork that accurately represents the release.

3. 03

   Confirm release title, version, artist names, label name, release date, and copyright information.

4. 04

   Collect contributor, songwriter, composer, publisher, and featured-artist details where applicable.

5. 05

   Decide which stores you want to deliver to and confirm you control the rights needed to distribute the music.

Check your work

• You are in the intended workspace.
• Your artist or label identity is spelled correctly.
• Your account email is accessible.
• You can reach Releases, Artists, Labels, Analytics, Royalties, and Settings as permitted.

Common mistakes to avoid

• Creating duplicate artist identities for the same artist.
• Using a shared login instead of team access.
• Starting a release before final files and credits are ready.
• Entering placeholder metadata that later becomes difficult to correct.

What happens next

Once the workspace is ready, create a release draft and keep the same artist, label, and contributor identities throughout the catalog.

If the result on screen does not match what this guide describes, stop before creating duplicate catalog records or repeating a financial action. Use the visible status and error information when contacting NORTH support.