TOP 5+ Methods to Selling Your Music Online

In this comprehensive guide to online music selling, we’ll simplify the process for musicians to gain both profit and recognition. Let’s start by crafting a fan engagement strategy.

Key Takeaways

• To excel at selling music online, creating a conducive atmosphere between artists and fans, global accessibility, and extra monetization methods is essential.
• There are unlimited platforms to sell your music, including artists’ websites, digital music stores, streaming platforms, and music download stores.

Why You Should Sell Your Music Online 

Music producers and artists may gain countless benefits from online music platforms that keep the industry of music selling all the rage. Here are 5 noteworthy reasons: 

1. Conducive Atmosphere between Artists and Fans

Selling tickets online allows you to engage with fans and foster unity. It facilitates prompt payments and encourages fans to purchase more. Additionally, it builds trust, as fans can effortlessly confirm their buys.

2. Global Accessibility and Availability

Selling concert tickets online offers fans globally the opportunity to purchase them. These tickets are accessible anytime, anywhere, and on any device. However, in certain cases, artists may restrict availability.

3. Easy Payment Options

Using online platforms like Show4me to sell concert tickets provides flexibility in pricing. You can offer discounts, early-bird rates, or even bundle tickets with merchandise or lessons. Moreover, online sales allow fans to pay using various methods like bank transfers, credit cards, or even cryptocurrencies.

4. Easy Promotion and Advertisements

Selling tickets online effectively promotes your music and events to a global audience. Creating a ticketing page lets you easily share the link via social media, your website, newsletters, and artist club pages. 

Furthermore, this method is more cost-effective than traditional marketing, eliminating the need for third-party ticket sellers or large PR agencies when using online music platforms.

5. Extra Monetization Option

While buying tickets and merchandise in-store is an option, the online method is more efficient than online methods. Online ticketing simplifies access and presents extra earning opportunities for artists. 

By promoting tickets alongside merchandise like shirts or caps online, artists can boost their revenue. Additionally, they can offer music lessons, further highlighting their skills and reinforcing memorable performances.

Where to Sell Your Music Online

Selling your music on the internet isn’t just about putting it online and wishing fans will discover and purchase it. To begin selling your music, you must choose where to list it for sale. 

Your Own Website

First and foremost, setting up a website for your music using platforms like Shopify or Squarespace is important. This offers full control and scalability and a central place for fan interactions.
Moreover, having a dedicated music page ensures that your music remains accessible, even as social media platforms change.

Pros & Cons 

Pros

• Control and Branding: You have total control over your website’s design, content, and user experience, representing your music and style uniquely.
• Higher Profit Margins: Selling directly on your website means you keep a larger revenue share as there are no third-party fees.
• Data Ownership: You own customer data and collected email addresses, valuable for fanbase building and direct music marketing.

Cons

• Initial Investment: Creating and maintaining a professional website demands an upfront financial commitment for domain registration, hosting, website design, and ongoing upkeep expenses.
• Technical Skills Required: Building and maintaining a website necessitates at least basic technical skills or a willingness to learn. 
• Traffic Generation: You’re responsible for driving traffic to your website. Unlike established music platforms, your website lacks built-in discoverability features. 

Examples 

Charley Crockett‘s music captures the spirit of a Western artist, fitting seamlessly into his genre. His latest album delves into emotional and vulnerable themes, intending to redefine country music’s landscape.

Based in Toronto, Andrew Huang is a multi-talented music artist and producer with a strong YouTube following. He excels across diverse musical genres, showcasing his true mastery in the music world.

Steve Benjamins, a Toronto-based singer-songwriter, creates music that resonates with diverse individuals and emotional states. You can visit his website to explore his blog, listen to his music, and stay updated on upcoming events.

If you want to make your own website to sell your music, consider Shopify a top choice. Shopify provides an easy-to-use platform with customizable templates, making it simple for artists to set up and design.  

Additionally, Shopify offers a range of powerful e-commerce features, including secure payment processing, inventory management, and extensive third-party app integrations, allowing artists to scale and grow effectively in the online marketplace. 

Digital music stores

Digital music stores, also known as online retailers, offer platforms where users can buy and download music. Many fans favor trusted sites that provide saved payment options and easy music syncing. 

By partnering with distributors like CD Baby, artists ensure their music reaches over 150 platforms, including popular retailers like Google Play and Amazon, catering to diverse listener preferences.

Pros & Cons 

Pros

• Convenience: Digital music stores provide the convenience of instant music access via the internet, making fast downloads or streaming.
• Vast Selection: They have extensive music libraries, including rare and obscure tracks, making it easy for users to explore and discover new music.
• Portability and Storage: Digital music is easily stored on devices like smartphones, tablets, and computers.

Cons

• Digital Rights Management (DRM): Certain digital music stores may limit the number of devices for music playback or hinder CD burning.
• Quality Variability: Lower-quality audio formats can compromise sound quality, and not all devices are compatible with higher-quality formats.
• Dependency on Internet Connection: A weak internet connection can hinder music access, and having licenses means you don’t truly own the files.

Examples 

The iTunes Store is a top digital music store with a user-friendly interface, a vast catalog of 100+ million songs spanning genres and artists, and support for high-quality audio like lossless and Dolby Atmos. 

Spotify, launched in 2008, transformed the music industry with its innovative approach to music consumption. It’s now a leading global music streaming platform with over 551 million users as of 2023. 

Amazon Music, a subsidiary of Amazon, is a digital music streaming platform offering various songs, albums, and playlists across various devices. Users can enjoy on-demand streaming, create personalized playlists, and explore new artists.

Bandcamp

Bandcamp is an independent platform where musicians can sell songs directly to fans in formats like MP3, WAV, and AIFF. It’s ideal for emerging artists to gain recognition and grow their fan base. Additionally, beyond digital downloads, they can offer CDs, vinyl records, and other merchandise.

Pros & Cons 

Pros

• Artist Control: Bandcamp empowers artists to control content, pricing, and distribution, retain a significant share of sales revenue, and offer free downloads or pay-what-you-want pricing.
• Direct Fan Engagement: Bandcamp facilitates fan interaction through artist blogs, fan messaging, and mailing list building, cultivating loyal fan bases and keeping them informed about releases and events.
• Media Versatility: Bandcamp supports various media types (music, albums, merchandise, comics, podcasts), making it a versatile platform.

Cons

• Limited Discoverability: Bandcamp is less effective for artists to gain new fans because its discoverability features are less robust than significant streaming services like Spotify or Apple Music.
• Limited Streaming Features: Bandcamp primarily focuses on digital downloads and physical sales, resulting in limited streaming features. 
• Transaction Fees: Bandcamp charges transaction fees on sales, potentially reducing profits, especially for smaller artists. 

Examples 

Hand Habits, led by guitarist and singer-songwriter Meg Duffy, has been touring and recording alongside Kevin Morby and Seattle’s Mega Bog for the past two years. However, they’re now venturing solo, with their debut album, “Wildly Idle (Humble Before The Void),” set to release on Woodsist soon.

Jons is a rock band from Victoria, British Columbia that consists of Keenan Mittag-Degala, Patrick Rendell, David Parry, and Logan Holmes. They have released a Lp Serfs of Today, a 7″ Short Swim, and a demo Com Shred I.

Streaming platforms

Streaming platforms like Spotify and Apple Music are favorites among music enthusiasts. While artists might not earn much from streams, these platforms are vital for discovering new music. 

For example, landing a song on a Spotify playlist can attract new listeners, helping artists build relationships and convert listeners into dedicated fans. Ultimately, the goal is to nurture an engaged audience for your tunes.

Pros & Cons 

Pros

• Global Reach: Streaming platforms can introduce listeners to new music through algorithms and playlists, potentially increasing an artist’s fan base.
• Revenue Potential: While the per-stream payout is often low, the sheer volume of streams can lead to significant revenue for famous artists.
• Data Insights: Artists can access valuable data and insights about their audience, informing marketing and touring decisions.

Cons

• Low Per-Stream Payout: Artists need millions of streams to create significant revenue, which is disheartening for newcomers.
• Market Dominance: These platforms significantly control music distribution, potentially impacting artists’ ability to negotiate favorable terms and conditions.
• Discovery Challenges: Algorithms aid music discovery but favor established artists and mainstream genres, minimizing niche or emerging musicians.

Examples 

Tidal stands out by catering to audiophiles who prioritize high-resolution audio quality, making it one of the top choices for exceptional sound quality in music streaming. 

YouTube Music is an ideal choice if you’re deeply integrated into Google’s ecosystem, especially with an Android phone. It offers music streaming and seamlessly connects with Google Assistant, making it a handy option for users.

Music Download Stores

Downloading music allows you to experience offline listening and gives you ownership instead of just licensing. Thus, even if the parent company disappears, your music remains. Additionally, for budding artists not yet into physical formats like CDs, it’s a viable option.

Pros & Cons 

Pros

• Ownership and Control: When you buy music from download stores, you own the files, allowing you to transfer them via devices.
• Offline Listening: Downloaded music is perfect for offline listening, letting you enjoy your favorite tracks even in areas with unreliable or no internet access.
• High Audio Quality: Music download stores frequently provide high-quality audio formats like FLAC or WAV, delivering superior sound.

Cons

• Cost Per Track or Album: Purchasing individual tracks or albums from download stores can be expensive, especially if you want a large collection. 
• Limited Accessibility: When you download music, it’s typically tied to one device. Therefore, if you switch devices or face tech issues causing file loss, you might need to repurchase the music.
• Less Discovery and Interactivity: Music download stores lack interactive features and personalized playlists.

Examples 

Beatport is a leading online store for electronic dance music (EDM). By offering high-quality lossless formats, it can increase your profits. Moreover, listing your music on Beatport improves its discoverability and makes EDM more accessible to newcomers.

Juno Download, among the world’s largest independent online dance music stores, boasts an extensive range of genres. With its convenient Juno player, users can preview every track section before purchasing.

How to Sell Your Music Online

To stand out in a competitive market, artists need a strategy for releasing, promoting, and monetizing their music. By doing so, they can build a fanbase and generate revenue from both streams and sales.

Launch your Own Website

Maintaining a personal website can be challenging, but it’s essential for connecting with your fans. As your fanbase grows, many will turn to your site to purchase music and merchandise. 

Moreover, your website is your unique platform to share content, tell your story, and update fans on the latest news and events.

Engage Fans

Engaging fans early is vital. Even if you’re just brainstorming a track or have a demo, sharing updates can stir excitement and make them feel part of your journey. You can post teaser videos on platforms like Facebook and Instagram or share behind-the-scenes photos.

And while a personal website is great for music promotion, using social media alone can still effectively bridge the gap with your audience.

Set Up a Pre-Order

iTunes pre-orders are a powerful tool for promoting music before its official release. These pre-orders allow fans a 90-second preview and early access to select tracks. Importantly, they can help boost your position on the iTunes chart during pre-order and on the release day. 

To optimize this, set up pre-orders ideally four weeks in advance.  Meanwhile, Spotify has a pre-save feature lets fans add your music to their playlists on release day.

Additionally, when considering platforms like Amazon Music and Deezer, you need to ensure consistency with your early-access tracks. If syncing with Spotify, craft specific singles for each track.

Release your Music

A well-thought-out release strategy is crucial for artists. You must decide whether to launch an entire album or first release 2 or 3 singles to build anticipation. You can also design your album cover with the help of an album cover maker to make an impact on your audience. Once you make this decision, you should choose an optimal release date. Remember, Fridays and Tuesdays are often the best days for releases. You should aim to set this date at least 4 weeks to allow for a comprehensive promotional plan.

Moreover, you should synchronize your release date with email newsletters, social media posts, and other promotional activities to ensure you create attention.

Follow-up

After launching your music and executing your promotional plan, you need to take a break. However, you should continue to engage with your fans to keep momentum via social media and email newsletters. For instance, one month after your album’s release, you can highlight this milestone on social media and encourage fans to purchase if they haven’t yet. 

Additionally, if you operate an ecommerce store on your website, you should consider offering discounts or bundle deals. Like a complete discography at a special price to attract listeners further. 

How to Make Money Selling Your Music Online

Making money by selling your music online can be a viable source of income for independent musicians. Here are steps to help you create revenue: 

Set Up your Artist Profile

Artist profile platforms have become crucial for musicians wanting to connect with their fans. Musicians can upload photos and write engaging bios to personalize their profiles on streaming services. This helps artists attract fans and catch playlist curators’ attention like those at Spotify. 

However, there’s a difference in profile claiming. Platforms like iTunes, Apple Music, and Deezer require musicians to use digital distributors like iMusician. Meanwhile, others, such as Spotify and Beatport, offer direct profile claiming. Thus, artists can better manage their online image and effectively engage with fans.

Create a Promo Link Player or Your Artist Hub

After you release music, using a promo link player or Artist Hub is beneficial. It centralizes links from major online shops, making it convenient for fans. You can easily embed this tool on your website, include it in newsletters, and share it on social media.

Moreover, if you’ve initiated an iTunes Pre-order, your promo link player will initially display the iTunes link. But on the official release day, it updates to feature all store links, yet keeps the same URL, streamlining updates across your platforms.

Use your Mailing List

Email lists are essential for successful online music sales. Unlike fluctuating social media interactions, they offer a dependable way to reach fans. Subscribers, often acquired from newsletters or website purchases, are keen to learn about new music. Therefore, alongside other marketing efforts, it’s crucial to frequently send purchase links for your latest tracks. This approach maintains a steady bond with your fans and also enhances sales.

Social Media

For emerging artists, social media is indispensable. It allows them to connect directly with their fans and update them on new music and projects. Moreover, by using tools such as Facebook ad campaigns, artists can introduce their albums to potential new listeners.

Pay-What-You-Want Pricing on Songs

Once you’ve promoted your music, it’s vital to maintain momentum with follow-up efforts. As time goes on, introducing incentives can spur more purchases. 

You also explore the pay-what-you-want pricing model. While some fans might opt to pay a minimal amount, others may willingly pay a premium, broadening your supporter base.

Offer Physical and Digital Bundles

Artists should diversify their products by bundling different music formats. For example, pairing a CD or vinyl with its digital counterpart can be enticing. Moreover, combining new releases with older albums or other merchandise can enhance your online store’s appeal.

Digital Back Catalog Deal

After releasing their new album online, artists should promote special deals on their previous albums. When fans visit your store page, highlight the opportunity to buy your entire discography at a bundled price. 

This strategy works especially well when actively directing new fans to your website. Consequently, some fans are encouraged to purchase a package, discovering songs they haven’t heard before.

Sale Pricing & Discount Codes

Once your music has been out for some time, it’s a good idea to reintroduce it with special promotions. You should consider offering a temporary discount on your latest release or reducing prices for older albums and merchandise. 

Additionally, you can reward new email subscribers with a time-sensitive discount code for your online store. Such promotions re-engage your existing fans and also improve sales.

Set Up Fan Subscriptions

If you plan to release music regularly, consider adding a fan subscription option to your website. Instead of just selling individual songs or albums, introduce a subscription section. 

As you approach a new album launch, you can create excitement. Offering subscribers exclusive content and regular updating for a monthly fee provide consistent income and deepen engagement with your fans.

Selling Music Online: FAQS

Summary

This guide provides a comprehensive overview of online music selling, highlighting the need for organization and the difference between effective promotion and constant sales pitches.