Monetize Your Music on SoundCloud

For musicians looking to expand their presence in the digital world, SoundCloud offers a robust platform not only for sharing and discovering music but also for monetizing your creations. Monetizing music on SoundCloud allows artists to earn revenue while building their fanbase. In this article, we will explore the various ways to monetize your music on SoundCloud and offer tips on how to maximize your earnings.

The Journey from Free Uploads to Monetization

Many artists begin their journey on SoundCloud by uploading their music for free. This is an excellent way to build a following, gain feedback, and interact with fans. However, as your audience grows, it’s natural to start thinking about how to turn that following into a source of income. Fortunately, SoundCloud provides multiple pathways to monetize your music once you’ve established a presence.

1. SoundCloud Premier Monetization

SoundCloud Premier is one of the platform’s key programs designed for creators who wish to monetize their music directly. Premier allows eligible artists to earn revenue from the plays their tracks generate. The program works similarly to YouTube’s ad revenue model. Advertisements are displayed to listeners, and artists receive a portion of the revenue generated from these ads.

Eligibility for SoundCloud Premier

To qualify for SoundCloud Premier, artists must meet several eligibility criteria:

You must have a SoundCloud Pro or Pro Unlimited account.

Your tracks must be 100% original.

You need to have at least 5,000 plays in eligible countries in the past month.

Your account must be in good standing (no copyright strikes or issues).

Once you meet these criteria, you can apply to join the program. SoundCloud then enables monetization for your tracks, and you’ll begin earning money based on the ad revenue generated.

Revenue Model

With SoundCloud Premier, artists earn money through two main channels:

Ads: Ads that play before, during, or after your tracks generate revenue, which is then shared with the artist.

Subscriptions: SoundCloud Go+ subscribers provide revenue when they stream your music without ads.

The revenue artists earn from SoundCloud Premier varies depending on factors like geographic location and the type of ads played, but the platform offers transparency through its detailed analytics.

2. Leverage SoundCloud Go+

SoundCloud Go+ is the platform’s premium subscription service, which offers users an ad-free listening experience along with offline playback and access to a more extensive music library. As an artist, you can benefit from SoundCloud Go+ in two ways:

Subscription Payouts: When SoundCloud Go+ subscribers listen to your music, you receive a higher payout compared to streams from free users. This is because the absence of ads means the revenue comes directly from subscriptions.

Exclusive Content: Artists who release exclusive tracks available only to SoundCloud Go+ users can create an additional revenue stream by attracting subscribers who want access to that exclusive content.

3. Direct Fan Support: SoundCloud’s Fan-Powered Royalties

In 2021, SoundCloud introduced a groundbreaking royalty system known as fan-powered royalties, which aims to provide a fairer payout model for independent artists. Unlike the traditional pro-rata system used by many streaming platforms, where all revenue is pooled together and distributed based on total streams, fan-powered royalties allow artists to earn money directly from their fans’ listening habits.

How Fan-Powered Royalties Work

Under this system, the amount an artist earns is based on how much time individual fans spend listening to their music. For example, if one fan listens to your music exclusively on SoundCloud for a month, a large portion of that fan’s subscription or ad revenue goes directly to you. This model benefits independent and niche artists who may not have millions of streams but have a dedicated fanbase.

Maximizing Fan-Powered Royalties

To maximize fan-powered royalties, you should focus on building a strong and engaged fanbase. Encourage your fans to follow your profile, interact with your tracks, and spend more time listening to your music. Engaging with your fans through comments, reposts, and sharing exclusive content can help foster loyalty, ensuring that fans keep coming back to your tracks.

4. Crowdfunding and Direct Support

While not directly a SoundCloud feature, many artists use the platform to promote their crowdfunding campaigns on sites like Patreon, Kickstarter, or GoFundMe. SoundCloud can be an excellent way to connect with your audience and direct them to support your creative work financially. You can embed links to your crowdfunding platforms on your SoundCloud profile and in track descriptions, making it easy for your fans to contribute.

Additionally, you can offer exclusive content or perks, such as early access to new music, private concerts, or limited-edition merchandise, to those who support you through these platforms.

5. Selling Music and Merchandise

Although SoundCloud doesn’t have a built-in marketplace for selling music or merchandise, it’s easy to direct your fans to external stores where they can purchase your work. Many artists use platforms like Bandcamp, Shopify, or their own websites to sell physical and digital albums, T-shirts, posters, and other merchandise.

You can include purchase links in your SoundCloud bio, track descriptions, or within individual playlists to promote your store. This approach provides a direct way for fans to support your music while also helping to build a more personal connection with them.

Conclusion

Monetizing your music on SoundCloud provides independent artists with a wealth of opportunities to generate revenue while maintaining creative control. By leveraging tools like SoundCloud Premier, fan-powered royalties, and direct fan support, artists can create sustainable careers in the music industry. Focus on building an engaged audience, providing exclusive content, and exploring external monetization options such as selling music and merchandise to maximize your earnings on the platform.