Writing and recording are many artists’ main focuses with regard to getting their music out into the world. However, this is only one piece of the puzzle, marketing and selling your music online plays a big part in how your career will turn out. We know selling your music online isn’t always a walk in the park, however, we’re here to help.
In this article, we’ll take a look at where to sell your music, when to sell your music and how to sell your music online.
Selling Your Music Online
If you want to sell your music online, there are two places to consider. The first is your own website, and the second is online music platforms, like Bandcamp, Apple Music and Spotify. Let’s look into creating a website first and then we’ll reveal the pros and cons of online music platforms after.
Create A Website
Creating a website is really important as it’s the perfect place to sell your music. At first, it might seem daunting to start a website from scratch but it will become a brilliant business tool and hopefully, the first-place fans will head to buy your music.
Another big benefit of having your own website is that you’ll make more money. Fans will be able to buy directly from you and you’ll be able to keep them up to date with offers, discounts and future releases too.
Мusic Gateway Showcase
We offer a stellar platform that allows you, the artist, to showcase yourself in order to get discovered by fans and music reps.
With your artist portfolio website, you can showcase your music, list your upcoming gigs and allow fans to buy tickets.
You can also use your shoutouts to promote anything you like – from your online store, new songs, and videos to your latest merchandise and big news.
Check it out today!
Online Music Platforms
Once your website is up and running you’ll want to release your music on other platforms too so you can get it in front of as many people as possible. Let’s look into the different streaming services and options you should consider.
Streaming Services
Streaming services such as Apple Music and Spotify are consistently popular with listeners. Although as an artist, they aren’t a great place to sell your music online as you won’t make much money in return. Yet, due to the size of the platforms and amount of subscribers, there’s no doubt that having your music on there would help elevate your career. Although, let’s look at the pros and cons of SoundCloud too before you make your decision.
SoundCloud
Founded in 2007, SoundCloud is an artist-led platform that has created a huge global community of artists and listeners making it the perfect place to gain new fans. Although it’s worth noting – you can’t buy new music from SoundCloud directly which is the main downside. But what about Bandcamp?
Bandcamp
Bandcamp was founded in 2006 and is an online record store and music community, which gives fans the opportunity to discover, connect with and support artists they love. Bandcamp takes a 10-15% fee from sales which wouldn’t happen if fans bought music directly from your website. However, due to its popularity, fans have paid artists and their labels over $890 million and it could be your music they buy next.
Мusic Gateway Distribution
If you’re looking for music distribution, then look no further! Our intuitive platform is extremely user-friendly so you don’t have to jump through hoops to get your music shared with the world.
How do we compare to other online music distributors? Well, unlike some other distributors, you will retain 100% of your sales royalties, maximising your profit and enabling you to earn a better living as an artist.
What else makes music distribution by Мusic Gateway so great, you ask?
- Get free mastering to ensure your track sounds the best it can before distributing it!
- Distribute your music to Spotify, Apple Music, Amazon Music, and over 300 more DSPs!
- Instant set up, upload your music and go!
- All of this and more allows you to successfully distribute your music through Мusic Gateway with no recurring annual fees.
Also, if you have songs released through other distributors, you may want to think about moving them to Мusic Gateway. It’s simple to transfer a song and we’ll ensure that all your listens, downloads and stats remain. It really is a no-brainer!
In addition, we offer exclusive sync licensing opportunities and free sync representation. As well as free press, blog and promotional services.
We also have a range of free music tools – try out our streaming calculator to see what you could make. No matter how much it is – it’s 100% all yours. We will not take a cut.
How Do I Make Money From Music Distribution?
In simple terms, you can make money from downloads and also from streaming. Depending on your distributor, they will collect your royalties and pay you what you are owed, usually quarterly.
However, there is more to it than that. Distribution can have a wider impact on your music. For example, distribution can lead to discovery on a wide array of platforms. This can have a snowball effect on building a fan base and ultimately selling tickets to shows.
Another way to make money is through publishing services which we offer here at Мusic Gateway. This will help with promoting your tracks and optimising your music and account bios on platforms like Spotify and Apple Music.
Use Instagram
Let’s start with socials. Instagram is another very important tool to sell your music. Love it or hate it, it will be really helpful in promoting your music. You can paste your website into your Instagram bio so people can easily access your music and merchandise.
Allow Fans To Pre-Order
Pre-orders are a great way to build excitement for the release of your album or EP. This can also be set up on your website and will allow fans to purchase and pre-save your album or EP before the official release date. You can also use this opportunity to create one last announcement about the upcoming release.
If your single is ready to be released, think about uploading it to Spotify early and using a service like Show.co to create ads for Spotify. Research how to release a single and see which approach sounds like the best fit.
Additionally, here at Мusic Gateway, we help to get your music heard and grow your audience by working directly with independent music curators worldwide. Our approach is tailored to suit each artist, carefully planning each campaign to deliver results. With 30 years of combined industry experience, leverage our powerful network of influencers & professional tastemakers.
Why not try out our Spotify promotion? It involves playlist pitching to targeted curators, optimization, organic growth in streams, monthly listeners, followers, and more!
Release At The Right Time
We get it, once you’ve made your music you want to get it out there ASAP! Especially with the ease of uploading to streaming services and social media.
However, take as much care releasing your music as you did in recording and finishing it. Trust us, it can be the difference between your music being successful or not. Determine your music branding, and use this to gain a following.
A good first step is to take some time away from your finished work. This hopefully removes any tunnel vision you had about the project. After you’ve done this, ask yourself some powerful, effective questions about the audience you want for it.
Create A Crowdfunder
Raise money quickly and easily by setting up a crowdfunding page on your website. The best part about Crowdfunder is that they don’t have platform fees meaning you can keep all the money you make. Additionally, it will form a community of fans whilst they wait in anticipation for your music and merch to be released.
Build A Relationship With Your Fans
Connect with your fans from the get-go. Once your music is recorded and ready to be released, it’s time to start letting people know and engaging with your fans. Research how you can promote your music online effectively to get as much engagement and listeners as possible. Make a social media plan so you have plenty of high-quality & engaging content to post across the release to maintain excitement.
Release Your Music
Get the ball rolling and release your music to fans who have pre-ordered it first, this will make everyone else want to buy your new album even more and help with sales. Next, showcase your release on your social media accounts, website and newsletter. We also suggest setting up a YouTube channel where you can post music videos. Although your fans will be able to buy your music from other places, direct them to your website and push that as the go-to place to purchase your songs. Ensure that your homepage is up to date and your music is easy to access and buy.
Stay In Touch
Once the buzz has died down after your release, don’t just disappear! Stay in touch with your fans through social media, newsletters, and competitions to keep them up to date with upcoming tours or new music. Be creative with social media as it’s one of the best ways to market your music online and make money at the same time. Post regularly and maintain a relationship with your fans.
What’s The Best Way To Sell Your Music Online?
To be completely honest, there is no one best way of selling your music online. As many musicians and independent artists would probably agree, the most effective way of getting your music out there is by putting it across many different platforms, let’s explore a couple of the best ones below:
Offer Subscriptions
You could offer monthly subscriptions, so for a small fee fans could be the first to receive your music, gain discounts and find out about upcoming gigs. It makes fans feel special and helps you with selling your music online.
Create A Mailing List
A mailing list might sound a little dated, yet it’s still one of the most impactful ways of getting people to purchase your music. Plus, once you collect fan’s email addresses you can contact them directly with future releases, offers, discounts etc.
Now You Know Everything About Selling Your Music Online
There’s everything you need on selling your music online. We’ve touched on where you can get your music in an online space, such as your own website and the benefits of such. Another great tool to have when it comes to selling your music online is Мusic Gateway’s showcase page, where you can promote just about anything you want as an artist.
Additionally, we have looked at when to sell your music and the things you have to consider beforehand, such as creating a pre-order campaign. Also, we have looked at how to sell your music online and Мusic Gateway’s excellent distribution service which allows you to keep 100% of your royalties.
Whilst we’ve got your attention, our guide on SMS Text Marketing For Indie Musicians, Setting Up And Optimising Your YouTube For Artists Channel and our Opening Act Guide are all great sources of information for an aspiring artist!
Are You An Artist?
If you have songs that you want to share with the world – we want to help boost your career and get them noticed. Including promoting your music and improving your streaming presence!
Additionally, check out our sync opportunities page to get your music in TV and Film. Try it out for free today by signing up or clicking the button below.
SHARE THIS ARTICLE:
