Musicians, both amateur and professional, often grapple with a common dilemma: “How can you sell my music to make money?”. We live in a digital age where selling music online has become easier than ever, but it’s essential to navigate these waters with clarity and information.
Traditionally, artists relied on physical sales and concerts to earn their livelihood. However, the advent of the internet has redefined the way musicians can promote their music and profit from it. Multiple platforms now offer opportunities to sell your music worldwide and tap into an international fanbase. With the surge in digital streaming services and online music stores, musicians can now earn royalties and sales revenue more consistently.
However, there’s a legal side to consider. “Is it legal to sell music?” is a frequently pondered question. The straightforward answer is yes, but with caveats. Before you venture into selling music online, ensure you own the rights to your compositions. This includes both the lyrics and the melody. If samples or elements from other artists’ works are used, permissions or licenses are mandatory.
Moving forward, if you’re yearning to amplify your digital presence and ensure your art gets the recognition it deserves, you’re in the right place. We’re about to dive deep into the 10 most awesome ways to promote and sell your music online.
10 – Setting Up Shop
One way you can sell your music online is by creating an e-Commerce site. Services like Shopify provide everything that is needed to create an online store. With customizable templates, these services make it easy to quickly establish an online presence and immediately start selling your music. Creating an e-Commerce storefront isn’t something that can be thrown together and then left alone. A solid e-Commerce strategy must be created in order to ensure your success. By 2017 eMarketer estimates that there will generate $440 billion in sales online. To help you capture a percentage of the e-Commerce explosion, you need to make sure that your storefront is optimized to capture your visitors’ attention and converts them into buying customers.
09 – Selling through iTunes
Another way that you can sell your music is through iTunes. While this can be a lucrative avenue for you, it is not easy as it will require you to be able to encode and produce your music. If you don’t have these skills, then you will have to purchase an iTunes aggregator. An iTunes aggregator will ensure that your music is properly formatted to Apple’s specifications and gets delivered to iTunes correctly the first time around. Purchasing an aggregator is great if you are an individual artist or band because it will also provide you with a UPC and ISRC number so you can sell your music across multiple channels.
08 – Use Facebook to Promote
Your fans want to know more about your ban, even if they don’t yet know what your band is. Starting a Facebook page is simple and easy to do. Add friends and every time you post something to your wall, they’ll know about it. Tie with all your other social media like Facebook to make sure all your announcements are seen.
07 – Use Twitter to Make Announcements
Twitter is great for posting messages to everyone looking to learn about, or follow your band. You can send Tweets even while you’re onstage. As your new record is available for purchase, you can announce it through Twitter. Make sure you include Tweets that are interesting as well as those that help to promote your band to keep your followers.
06 – Use TikTok for Conversations
Having conversations with fans can help to build loyalty. TikTok is a great place for you to connect with all of your fans in a fun and friendly way. Use live chats to have open discussions with several people at once You can also post information about your band and any pertinent information.
05 – Play Your Music on YouTube
So everyone can hear your music, you can post it on YouTube. Don’t skip the opportunity to fully promote your band. Make sure to include information about your band and how people can come see you live. Include links for where people can buy your music.
04 – Show Your Music on Myspace
Myspace has evolved into one of the biggest online music resources. It is where bands go to make sure their music is going to be heard by a wide group of people. Putting your music on the site doesn’t cost anything, and people can buy directly from your Myspace account.
03 – Sell through Craigslist
If you like selling direct to the people who listen to your music, you can opt to use Craigslist to advertise and sell your music through. The site will not handle any part of the process for you, so you’ll actually have to ship everything after it has been purchased.
02 – Sell through BeatPort
BeatPort is a site developed primarily for DJs and for the hip-hop community, but anyone can sell their music through the site. If you just want to get people interested in your band, you can offer your music for free through the site. The more your music is downloaded, the more popular you’re band will become.
01 – Promote through SoundCloud
SoundCloud is similar to the way BeatPort works. You can post your music and anyone who’s interested can download either for free or for a cost. The main difference between the two is that SoundCloud is more for all genres of music rather than just those for DJs and hip-hop artists.
Investment in Music Promotion: Is It Worth Your Dime?
Every artist, at some point, faces a crossroads. “Should I pay to promote my music?”. The music industry is vast, and standing out requires more than just talent. Effective promotion plays a pivotal role in ensuring your music reaches the masses.
Paying for music promotion can be a strategic move. Platforms like Spotify have become industry giants where new tracks are added daily. Thus, the question arises, “Is paid Spotify promotion worth it?”. Paid promotions can provide that initial boost, ensuring your tracks are visible to a wider audience. However, like all investments, it requires research and a clear understanding of your target audience.
While there’s no definitive answer, if you choose to invest, make sure you’re getting tangible results. Track your growth, see where your listeners are coming from, and adjust your strategies accordingly.
Empowering Indie Artists: Free Digital Strategies to Spotlight Your Sound
Being an artist in today’s world is thrilling. The digital realm is teeming with opportunities, and guess what? Not all of them require you to break the bank. If you’re an emerging artist or simply someone looking to get more ears on your music without shelling out cash, this section is your goldmine.
Social media remains an undefeated champion in the promotion game. Platforms like Instagram, Twitter, and even TikTok, are playgrounds for musicians. Sharing snippets, going live, or simply engaging with fans can propel your tracks into viral sensations.
YouTube is another fantastic avenue. By creating lyric videos, behind-the-scenes content, or even collaborating with most famous rappers, you can draw in a massive audience. Your music for selling can quickly turn into the most played music videos on the platform with the right strategies.
Music blogs, although traditional, are still significant. Getting featured on renowned music blogs can offer exposure to niche audiences that appreciate your genre. Moreover, platforms like SoundCloud and Bandcamp provide an intimate setting for artists to share their music and connect directly with fans.
In conclusion, while paid promotions can offer instant gratification, the free methods, when done right, lay down a foundation for sustained success and an ever-growing fanbase.