How to Sell Music Online & Streaming Prices?

For aspiring musicians and independent artists, making a successful career in music often means finding the best ways to sell music tracks online and understanding music streaming services prices. With the music industry continually evolving, it's crucial to stay updated with the latest trends and opportunities to monetize your work effectively. This article delves into the key aspects of selling music tracks online and the varying prices of available music streaming services.

Why Sell Music Tracks Online?

While traditional methods of selling music through physical copies have diminished, the digital age has opened up vast opportunities for artists to reach broader audiences and generate income. Selling music tracks online provides multiple benefits:

• Global Reach: Artists can reach listeners worldwide, breaking geographical barriers.
• Convenience: Selling and distributing digitally is more straightforward and cost-effective than producing physical copies.
• Higher Profit Margins: Artists can keep a more significant portion of their sales income by cutting out intermediaries.
• Data Insights: Digital sales offer valuable analytics about listeners' preferences and geographical locations, aiding in targeted promotions.

How to Sell Music Tracks Online

Selling music online involves various avenues, from dedicated platforms to direct-to-fan strategies. Here are the primary methods:

Digital Music Stores

Digital music stores like iTunes and Amazon Music remain popular despite the rise of streaming services. These platforms allow artists to sell individual tracks or albums, providing a direct revenue stream from purchases.

Streaming Platforms

While not essentially a "sales" platform, streaming services offer a way to monetize music through plays. Artists earn royalties based on the number of streams their tracks receive. SoundOn helps artists distribute their music to various streaming platforms, such as Spotify, Apple Music, and more.

Direct-to-Fan Platforms

Platforms like Bandcamp enable artists to sell music directly to fans, often providing options for physical merch bundles. This method affords a higher percentage of sales revenue to the artist and fosters a closer relationship with fans.

Creating a Personal Website

Many artists opt to sell music directly through their websites. This method offers complete control over pricing and sales strategies and allows for integrating additional content like exclusive behind-the-scenes footage, newsletters, and fan clubs.

Understanding Music Streaming Services Prices

Music streaming has become the dominant way listeners consume music. Therefore, understanding the pricing models of various streaming services is essential for both artists and fans.

Subscription Models

Most streaming services operate on a subscription model, with monthly fees offering varying levels of access:

• Spotify: Offers a free tier with ads and a Premium plan at $9.99/month for ad-free listening and additional features like offline downloads.
• Apple Music: Charges $10.99/month for an individual plan, including features like offline playback and exclusive content.
• Amazon Music Unlimited: Available for $9.99/month, with benefits for Amazon Prime members who get a discounted rate at $8.99/month.
• Tidal: Known for high-fidelity audio, Tidal offers Premium at $9.99/month and HiFi at $19.99/month.
• Deezer: Charges $9.99/month for its Premium tier, which includes ad-free listening and offline downloads.

Ad-Supported Models

Some services, like Spotify and Deezer, offer free tiers supported by ads. While these tiers provide free access to a vast music library, they come with limitations such as interruptions and a lack of offline playback.

Pay-Per-Play Models

Though less common, models like those used by some independent streaming sites operate on a pay-per-play basis, allowing listeners to pay only for the tracks they play.

Family and Student Plans

Many services offer discounted rates for families and students:

• Spotify: Family plan at $14.99/month and Student plan at $4.99/month.
• Apple Music: Family plan at $16.99/month and Student plan at $5.99/month.
• Tidal: Family plan at $14.99/month for Premium and $29.99/month for HiFi. They also offer a student discount.

Promoting Your Music for Online Sales and Streaming

Once your music is available online, effective promotion is key to driving sales and streams. Here are some strategies:

Social Media Marketing

Platforms like TikTok and Instagram are invaluable tools for reaching new audiences and engaging with fans. Regularly posting content, behind-the-scenes footage, and interactive stories can significantly boost your online presence.

Music Videos

High-quality music videos create visual stories that can expand your reach on platforms like YouTube, which also offer monetization options through ads and YouTube Music streaming.

Email Marketing

Building a mailing list allows you to reach out to your fans directly. Regular newsletters sharing new releases, tour dates, and exclusive content help maintain a loyal fanbase.

Collaborations

Partnering with other artists or influencers can help tap into new fanbases. Collaborative tracks, joint live sessions, and guest features on tracks are effective strategies.

Utilizing Music Distribution Platforms

Distributing your music through platforms like SoundOn ensures that your music is available on all major streaming services, maximizing your potential listeners and income. Sign up as a SoundOn artist to take advantage of their comprehensive marketing and distribution services.

Conclusion

Selling music tracks online and understanding music streaming services prices are fundamental for today’s artists aiming to succeed in the digital era. By effectively utilizing various selling platforms and promoting your music strategically, you can reach a global audience and ensure a steady income stream. Investing time in understanding different streaming services' pricing models will help you choose the best platforms to distribute your music.

The journey to a successful music career is dynamic, but with the right strategies and tools, you can make your mark in the industry. Start distributing your music with SoundOn and open the door to countless opportunities in music promotion and monetization.