How to effectively "release" a track?

[rap masta rj]

So I've got this song that I believe to be of professional quality and I would like to release it in the best way that I can, but I don't really know how (besides uploading it to soundcloud, promoting it on my own facebook, posting on forums). These methods i've used in the past don't really get me any more listeners or exposure.

I've done my research on how I may do this but so far the information I've found is rather vague, and some of it is kind of intimidating when it talks about publishing companies and whatnot.

I'm here just to ask if anyone can point me in the right direction for a successful release, what my first steps should be, etc. Any tips would be greatly appreciated