So you’ve just made your first composition, an album, or an EP, and now you want to optimize your sales. The question coming to your mind would be when and where you would be able to sell your music online. This is the beauty of the Internet, seldom appreciated. The options at hand are countless, and it can be a bit overwhelming to list all and choose all of them to use. It cannot be denied that making new music takes a lot of effort and time. If you put in equal time and effort into selling your music online, it will drive more sales from your fans.
There are two main ways or places to sell your music online. The primary preferred way is to sell it through your website. The other way is to choose an online retailer, like Bandcamp or even Apple Music.
How to Sell Music Through Website
It is undeniable that you need a website of your own. Your website will also serve as a great place to sell your music. To all, it would seem really tedious to upload your music, maintain your narrative, and eventually promote your pages.
A website gives you a piece of the Internet that you own and control, regardless of the platform on social media, which may come and go. If you choose to make a dedicated music page, your fans will be able to find it always.
In the age of digital streaming, it is now imperative to own a website and maintain it. Fans who are your true supporters and followers will be able to buy your music directly from your website’s store, and you will make more money as you will not have to pay commission through it.
More importantly, you will be able to collect more emails and data like your users sign up, which is crucial for a long time of success as this will ensure you stay in touch with your users/fan base. You will be able to sell to them directly.
How to Sell Music Through Online Music Stores
While your website may have its own place and importance, you would also want to spread your reach and release your music as far and wide as possible so that it reaches as many ears as possible. Factoring this when releasing your music will lead you to take services of online music stores by selling your music through them.
1. Bandcamp:
Bandcamp is one of the free services that allow you to sell your music directly to your fans and allow you to collect the data and email addresses. Bandcamp, by default, will take a cut out of your sales (about 15%), but it also enables music discovery. Bandcamp actively recommends music through blogs, apps, and weekly podcasts. Bandcamp allows integrations into different websites to sell music.
2. Music Download Sites:
Streaming platforms are no doubt crazy cool and successful, but ignoring music download sites would be utterly foolish. You would also want to sell your music online through retailers such as iTunes, Amazon, or Google Play. Since these stores are fairly popular, quite many of your fans would prefer buying it from there, as music fans want to buy music from the stores they know and trust, and funnily, where they have their credit cards stored.
3. Streaming Platforms:
Primarily, your fans now would prefer listening to music rather than downloading it, on streaming platforms such as Spotify, Apple Music, Amazon Music, etc. Though artists would make small amounts from streaming, this reason should not be enough to ignore these platforms. But getting your songs on Spotify playlists can do tremendous work for the success of your career and can skyrocket your sales over a prolonged period of time.
4. SoundCloud:
SoundCloud holds an immensely large community of users and curators on the platform, so having your music here will be a good way to get your music a newfound vibe. SoundCloud Pro users can add a buy link into their track metadata, so to let your fans purchase your tracks from another website.
When to Sell Your Music Online
So we’ve done with the where part; now we will move on to the part which can make or break your success and your sales – the when part of selling.
Once your music is ready to go, getting it online for sale is a really easy option. The trick for success lies in the strategy, as in when to sell your music online and which tools to leverage to maximize revenue.
Before getting into the how-to-sell part, let’s focus a bit on the strategy. In order to build hype and anticipation for your new music, making the bond between your fans and raising money in this process could carry the following steps.
1. Engaging Your Fans:
You would want to keep your audience engaged from the right beginning. The moment you get the music in your head is the moment you should start engaging with your fans so that people know that there is something awesome to be dropped.
2. Launch a Crowdfunding Campaign:
Think of crowdfunding as an awesome way to set up your pre-order. The smart move would be to keep it directly on your website so that you keep 100% of the pledges; it will also keep steering your community towards your launch and music sales.
3. Pre-orders:
Getting ahead is always a good idea; well, so is getting your presales set up weeks before your release (irrespective of whether you’ve crowdfunded or not).
4. Album or Single Release:
The preferred way would be to release your album or song as soon as it is done to the ones who have pre-ordered and then make it available for sale on your website or popular retailers.
The strategy isn’t too hard and fast, and you know your fanbase and audience better; a little tweak here and there can make you skyrocket your sales effectively and build an awesome career just like your tracks.
How to Sell Your Music Online
1. Utilize Social Media:
Social media platforms like Instagram, Facebook, and Twitter are excellent tools for promoting your music and engaging with your fans. Regular updates, behind-the-scenes content, and interactive posts can keep your audience excited about your upcoming release. Use these platforms to share teasers, announce release dates, and direct traffic to your website or online store.
2. Email Marketing:
Building an email list is crucial for long-term success. Use your website to collect email addresses from your fans. Send regular newsletters with updates about your music, upcoming releases, and exclusive offers. Email marketing allows you to maintain a direct line of communication with your fans, making it easier to sell your music online.
3. Collaborations and Features:
Collaborating with other artists can help you reach a wider audience. Feature your music on their platforms and vice versa. Collaborations can introduce your music to new listeners who may become your fans. This strategy is particularly effective in genres where collaborations are common.
4. Music Videos:
Investing in music videos can significantly boost your music’s visibility. Platforms like YouTube and Vimeo are perfect for showcasing your videos. A well-produced music video can go viral, attracting a large audience to your music. Make sure to include links to your online store or website in the video description.
5. Leverage Playlists:
Getting your music on popular playlists can increase your streams and sales. Submit your tracks to playlist curators on platforms like Spotify, Apple Music, and Amazon Music. Playlists are a great way to reach new listeners who might not have discovered your music otherwise.
6. Online Ads:
Consider investing in online advertising to promote your music. Platforms like Facebook Ads, Instagram Ads, and Google Ads allow you to target specific demographics and reach potential fans. Well-targeted ads can drive traffic to your website or online store, boosting your music sales.
7. Merchandise Bundles:
Offering merchandise bundles along with your music can increase sales. Fans love exclusive items, and bundling your music with merchandise like t-shirts, posters, and signed albums can make your offer more appealing. Merchandise bundles can also help you generate additional revenue.
8. Digital Distribution Services:
Using digital distribution services like Deliver My Tune, CD Baby, TuneCore, or DistroKid can help you get your music on multiple platforms. These services distribute your music to online stores and streaming platforms, ensuring your tracks are available to a wider audience. They also handle the technical aspects of distribution, making it easier for you to focus on creating music.
9. Engage with Music Blogs and Press:
Getting your music featured on music blogs and in the press can significantly boost your visibility. Reach out to bloggers, journalists, and influencers in your genre. A positive review or feature article can introduce your music to new listeners and drive sales.
10. Live Streaming and Virtual Concerts:
Live streaming and virtual concerts have become popular ways to connect with fans. Platforms like Twitch, YouTube Live, and Facebook Live allow you to perform live for your audience. Use these opportunities to promote your music and direct viewers to your online store or website.
11. Optimize Your Online Presence:
SEO (Search Engine Optimization) is essential for increasing your visibility online. Use relevant keywords (like “how to sell your music online”) in your website content, blog posts, and social media updates. Optimizing your online presence will help potential fans find your music more easily.
Advanced Strategies for Selling Music Online
1. Implement a Pre-Launch Strategy:
Before releasing your music, implement a pre-launch strategy to build anticipation. Tease your audience with snippets, artwork, and behind-the-scenes content. Create a countdown to the release date and offer exclusive pre-order bonuses to encourage early sales.
2. Utilize Analytics:
Use analytics tools to track the performance of your music and marketing efforts. Platforms like Google Analytics, Spotify for Artists, and Apple Music for Artists provide valuable insights into your audience’s behavior. Use this data to refine your strategies and improve your sales.
3. Offer Exclusive Content:
Offer exclusive content to your most loyal fans. This could include early access to new music, exclusive tracks
, live recordings, or behind-the-scenes videos. Exclusive content makes your fans feel special and valued, encouraging them to support your music financially.
4. Create a Membership Program:
Consider creating a membership or fan club program where fans can subscribe for a monthly fee in exchange for exclusive content, early releases, discounts on merchandise, and other perks. Platforms like Patreon make it easy to set up and manage subscription-based memberships.
5. Bundle Your Music with Other Artists:
Collaborate with other artists to create bundled offers. For example, you can package your album with another artist’s album at a discounted price. This not only expands your reach to another artist’s fanbase but also provides added value for your fans.
6. Engage in Affiliate Marketing:
Set up an affiliate marketing program where fans and influencers can earn a commission for promoting and selling your music. This incentivizes others to share your music, expanding your reach and increasing your sales.
7. Use Retargeting Ads:
Retargeting ads allow you to show ads to people who have previously visited your website or engaged with your content. By using retargeting ads, you can remind potential fans to purchase your music and increase the likelihood of converting visitors into buyers.
8. Host Virtual Listening Parties:
Organize virtual listening parties for your album or single release. Use platforms like Zoom, Facebook Live, or Instagram Live to connect with your fans in real-time, play your new music, and discuss the creation process. This interactive experience can build excitement and drive sales.
9. Leverage User-Generated Content:
Encourage your fans to create and share content related to your music. This could include cover versions, dance videos, or fan art. User-generated content helps spread the word about your music and creates a sense of community around your brand.
10. Optimize Your Music for Search Engines:
Ensure your music is discoverable by optimizing your song titles, descriptions, and tags for search engines. Use relevant keywords (like “how to sell your music online”) to increase the chances of your music appearing in search results on platforms like YouTube, Spotify, and Google.
11. Offer Discounts and Promotions:
Run special promotions and discounts to encourage purchases. For example, you can offer a limited-time discount on your album or bundle deals for multiple purchases. Promotions create urgency and can boost sales.
12. Engage with Your Fans:
Regularly engage with your fans through social media, email, and live interactions. Respond to comments, messages, and feedback to build a strong connection with your audience. Engaged fans are more likely to support your music financially.
13. Create Compelling Visual Content:
High-quality visuals are essential for marketing your music. Invest in professional photos, album artwork, and promotional videos to create a visually appealing brand. Compelling visual content can attract attention and make your music more memorable.
14. Utilize Music Licensing:
Explore opportunities to license your music for use in films, TV shows, commercials, and video games. Music licensing can provide a significant source of revenue and exposure for your music. Platforms like Songtradr and Musicbed can help you get started with licensing.
15. Network with Industry Professionals:
Build relationships with industry professionals, including producers, DJs, promoters, and other artists. Networking can lead to collaborations, performance opportunities, and valuable advice for growing your music career.
The Importance of Timing in Music Sales
Timing is crucial when it comes to selling your music online. Here are some tips to help you choose the best time to release and promote your music:
1. Avoid Major Holidays and Events:
Releasing your music during major holidays or events might not be the best idea, as people may be preoccupied with other activities. Instead, choose a release date that doesn’t coincide with significant events.
2. Consider Your Audience’s Habits:
Think about when your audience is most likely to engage with new music. For example, releasing music on Fridays aligns with New Music Fridays on streaming platforms, when listeners are actively looking for new releases.
3. Build Hype in Advance:
Start promoting your music weeks or even months before the release date. Use teasers, countdowns, and pre-order campaigns to build anticipation and ensure a successful launch.
4. Analyze Past Releases:
Look at the performance of your past releases to identify trends. Determine which days and times resulted in the highest engagement and sales, and use this data to plan future releases.
5. Coordinate with Marketing Campaigns:
Align your release date with other marketing campaigns, such as social media ads, email newsletters, and press releases. A coordinated effort will maximize the impact of your promotion and increase sales.
6. Leverage Music Release Calendars:
Many music platforms and blogs maintain release calendars that list upcoming releases. Submitting your music to these calendars can help generate buzz and attract attention from potential listeners.
Conclusion
Selling your music online is a multifaceted process that requires careful planning and execution. By leveraging the right tools and strategies, you can maximize your sales and reach a wider audience. Remember to focus on building a strong online presence, engaging with your fans, and using data-driven insights to refine your approach.