How to Sell your Music Online and Make Money

While selling your music online and making money from music is hard, it isn't impossible. In fact, there are several ways you can do it including making a website, using a distribution network, or signing up for a streaming service.

If you're looking for ways to sell your music online and make money, it’s important to know how to sell music online, so keep reading for some tips and tricks to make it happen.

How to Make Money as a Musician

This is one of the hardest things for musicians to do. Not everybody makes it big, but everyone has the chance to get their content out there and appeal to at least a subset of their intended audience. Here are just a few ways you can make money if you make your own music.

Make a website

The first step is to make sure you have a website where people can learn about you and your music. Your website should have links to all of your social media pages as well as a way for people to buy or stream your music. You can also sell merchandise on your website such as t-shirts, hats, and other items with your band's name or logo on it.

You can also include teasers for upcoming events or new music on your website to generate interest and excitement. Make sure to update your website regularly so people know you're still active and creating new content.

Use music distribution network

There are several online music distribution networks that can help you sell your music online and get your music heard by a wider audience. These networks will typically take a cut of any sales you make, but they can be a great way to reach people who might not otherwise hear your music.

CD Baby

CD Baby is a music distribution network that allows you to sell your music on major streaming platforms like Spotify, Apple Music, and Amazon Music. They also have a program called sync licensing that can help you place your music in TV shows, movies, and commercials.

For one low fee, CD Baby ensures you get paid when your music is used, and they’ll release your music for you on platforms like Spotify, Pandora, YouTube Music, Apple Music, Deezer, Facebook, TikTok, and Amazon Music. For an additional cost, they offer tools to help you expand your reach and grow your audience.

This is one of the most comprehensive distribution networks of all services, getting you exposure in the most popular places all at once to make sure your music gets heard.

Amuse

Amuse is a music distribution network that is geared towards independent artists. They offer a free tier that gives you basic streaming and download options for your music. They also have a paid option that includes additional features like high-quality audio files, unlimited uploads, and more.

The primary benefit to using Amuse is that it’s free. You can release your music for nothing, and then they will analyze the data and find the best music deals for you to expand your reach.

Their distribution network includes most of the popular services like Spotify, Amazon Music, Facebook, Instagram, Tiktok, Apple Music, YouTube Music, Pandora, and Deezer. Plus, their app makes it easy to release your tracks on the go and manage their distribution.

LANDR

LANDR is a music distribution and mastering service that offers a free option for independent artists. They also have a paid option that includes additional features like unlimited uploads, high-quality audio files, and more.

The most unique thing about LANDR is that you can connect with other artists and collaborators in real-time. Get feedback, take notes, and take your music to the next level thanks to the opinions of pros.

Their AI-driven finishing touches produce a master that doesn’t use presets. Instead, it’s fast, reliable, and easy to use, so all you have to do is upload the track, and your work is done.

TuneCore

Tunecore is another music distribution network with similar services to CD Baby. They also offer a sync licensing program that can help you place your music in TV shows, movies, and commercials.

This platform is a bit pricier than others, but they offer unlimited worldwide distribution of your tracks for a single monthly fee. You also get unlimited releases to social platforms and comprehensive sales data so you can improve on your current strategy.

The also offer a free service that provides feedback from pros to help you grow your music career.

Record Union

Record Union is a music distribution network that offers both digital and physical distribution of your music. They also have a sync licensing program that can help you place your music in TV shows, movies, and commercials.

While Record Union can place you on more than 20 of the top global distribution networks, they're extras are what makes them great. They offer a pro EPK so you can build and pitch your music resume to agents, venues, labels, and the media.

They make it easy to promote your music with smart links and they have an A&R network that provides free distribution to artists with commissions and bonuses.

Octiive

Octiive, previously called MondoTunes, is a music distribution platform that offers global digital distribution of your music. Octiive has one of the largest distribution networks with over 750 stores and streaming services in more than 195 countries.

They claim to have more online stores than any other distribution network, but whether they do or not, their focus on growing independent artists while keeping them independent is to be respected.

Unfortunately, Octiive is one of the most expensive music distribution services out there. However, they offer more than just music distribution. They also have promotion services and music mastering.

Use streaming platforms

Rather than using a distribution network, you can go straight to the source and put your music on the streaming service yourself. While it’s not as simple as using a distribution network, it is free.

The most popular streaming platforms are Spotify, Apple Music, Deezer, Tidal, and YouTube Music. You can also submit your music to smaller streaming services like SoundCloud, 8tracks, and Jango Radio.

To get your music on these platforms, you'll need to create an account and then submit your music through their artist portals.

Spotify

Spotify is one of the most popular music streaming services with over 200 million users. To get your music on Spotify, you'll need to submit it through their artist portal.

You can either submit your music yourself or use a service like DistroKid, Tunecore, or CD Baby. Once your music is approved, it will be added to Spotify's catalog and you will earn royalties.

One of the best things about Spotify is that you can also use it to promote your music. You can create artist profiles, share your music on social media, and run ads. Spotify will also automatically curate playlists and your music will be matched with the appropriate playlists for increased awareness.

Apple Music

Apple Music is the second largest streaming service with over 60 million users. Apple Music caters mostly to Apple users, which can decrease your reach quite a bit. However, what people like most about Apple Music is that it integrates seamlessly with other Apple products.

Deezer

Deezer is a music streaming service that's available in over 180 countries. They have a catalog of over 53 million tracks and offer both ad-supported and premium plans. The benefit of using Deezer is that they have a large international reach.

Tidal

Tidal is a music streaming service that's owned by Jay-Z. It's available in 54 countries and has a catalog of over 60 million tracks. Tidal focuses on offering high-quality audio and music videos.

They also have a artist discovery program called Tidal Rising that can help you promote your music. Tidal also integrates seamlessly with Plex, so if you're a Plex user, it's worth considering.

YouTube Music

YouTube Music is a music streaming service that's available in over 60 countries. YouTube Music offers both ad-supported and premium plans. The benefit of using YouTube Music is that you can reach a large audience through both the YouTube and Google Play Music platforms. This is probably the best option if you think most of your listeners are Android users.

Bandcamp

Bandcamp is a music streaming and download service that caters to independent artists. They have a catalog of over 7 million tracks and offer both ad-supported and premium plans. The benefit of using Bandcamp is that you can keep 100% of the revenue from your sales. Bandcamp also has a built-in fan base of loyal music fans who are always looking for new music to support.

SoundCloud

SoundCloud started out as a music identification service. You would download the app on your phone, and when you opened it, it would listen to the music and tell you the song and artist. It was a great way to identify music you didn't know or recall titles you couldn't remember.

However, SoundCloud quickly evolved into much more than that. It became a go-to platform for unsigned and independent artists to share their music. In many ways, it leveled the playing field and gave these artists a way to be heard.

SoundCloud is still a great platform for independent artists. While it doesn't have the same reach as some of the other streaming services, it's still a great way to get your music out there. And, you can keep 100% of the revenue from your sales.

Play live

If you want to make a living as a musician, you need to play live shows. There's no two ways about it. Yes, you can make some money from streaming and selling your music online. But, if you really want to make a living from your music, you need to get out there and perform.

Playing live shows is a great way to connect with your fans and build a following. It's also a great way to make money. You can book shows through sites like GigSalad and ReverbNation. Or, you can contact venues directly.

When you're first starting out, you'll probably have to play some free shows. But, as you build your following, you can start charging for your performances. And, if you're really successful, you can make a very good living playing live shows.

Develop a marketing plan

As with any entrepreneur, if you want to be successful, you'll also have to develop a marketing plan. Marketing is how you'll let people know about your music and build a following.

There are a lot of different ways to market your music. You can use social media, email marketing, and even traditional methods like print advertising. The key is to find the method that works best for you and your budget.

Here are some of the steps involved in building a marketing plan to get your music noticed.

Find your target audience

The first step in marketing your music is to find your target audience. Ask yourself, who is most likely to enjoy my music? Once you know who your target audience is, you can start finding ways to reach them.

For example, if you're a country artist, your target audience might be people who live in rural areas. Or, if you're a rap artist, your target audience might be people who live in the city.

Whatever your target audience is, make sure you know where they are and how to reach them.

Develop a marketing strategy

Once you know who your target audience is, you need to develop a marketing strategy. This is where you'll decide how you're going to reach them.

There are a lot of different marketing strategies you can use. But, some of the most effective ones include social media marketing, email marketing, and content marketing.

Choose the channels that will work best for reaching your target audience. Then, develop a plan for how you're going to use those channels.

Execute your plan

After you've developed your marketing plan, it's time to execute it. Start promoting your music on the channels you've chosen. And, make sure you're consistent with your messaging and branding.

If you're not sure how to get started, there are a lot of great resources available. Check out books like The Musician's Guide to Marketing and Publicity and The Indie Band Survival Guide.

You can also find a lot of helpful information online. Just do a quick search for "music marketing" or "promoting your music."

Measure your results

Finally, make sure you're measuring your results. Keep track of how many people are listening to your music, how many fans you're gaining, and how much money you're making.

This will help you see what's working and what's not. Then, you can adjust your marketing plan accordingly.

Use a Social Media Platform

As a budding artist, one of the most important things you can do is use social media to promote your music. A lot of people think that they need a record label or expensive marketing campaigns to get noticed. But, the truth is, social media is a great way to reach a large audience without spending a lot of money.

There are a lot of different social media platforms you can use to promote your music. But, some of the most popular ones for promoting music include YouTube, Instagram, Telegram, Facebook, Twitter, and TikTok.

Here are a few tips for using social media to promote your music.

1. Create engaging content

The first step is to create engaging content. This means posting things like photos, videos, and articles that will interest your target audience.

Make sure your content is original and interesting. Also, try to post regularly so that your followers have something new to see.

2. Use hashtags

Hashtags are a great way to reach a larger audience on social media. When you use relevant hashtags, your content is more likely to be seen by people who are interested in what you're posting.

Do some research to find the best hashtags to use for your music. And, make sure you're using them regularly in your posts.

3. Engage with other users

Engaging with other users is a great way to get more eyes on your content. When you comment on other people's posts or interact with them in some way, you're more likely to get noticed.

Of course, you don't want to spam other users. But, a few thoughtful comments here and there can go a long way.

4. Run ads

If you really want to reach a larger audience, you can run ads on social media platforms. This will cost you some money. But, it's a great way to get your content in front of more people.

Just make sure you're running targeted ads so that you're not wasting your money on people who are not interested in your music.

5. Collaborate with other artists

Collaborating with other artists is a great way to reach a new audience. When you team up with someone who has a similar audience, you can both benefit from the exposure.

There are a lot of different ways to collaborate with other artists. You can do things like guest posts, interviews, and performances.

Develop Electronic Press Kit

Some distribution services will do this for you, but it's still a good idea to have an EPK on hand. This is a digital portfolio that contains all the information people might need to write about you or book you for shows.

Your EPK should include things like your bio, photos, music, press clippings, and contact information. If you don't have a lot of materials, you can still put together a basic EPK. But, the more complete it is, the better.

Organize a crowdfunding campaign

Organizing a crowdfunding campaign is a great way to raise money for your music career. There are a lot of different platforms you can use, such as Kickstarter and Indiegogo.

With a crowdfunding campaign, you set a financial goal and then allow people to donate money to help you reach it. In return, you offer rewards, such as your music, merchandise, or tickets to shows.

Crowdfunding can be a great way to raise money for your music career. But, it's also a lot of work. So, make sure you're prepared to put in the time and effort before you launch a campaign.

Make and distribute albums and singles

If you want to make money from your music, you need to put it out there. One of the best ways to do this is to release albums and singles. There are a few different options for releasing your music. You can self-release, which means putting your music out yourself. Or, you can work with a record label.

If you self-release, you'll have more control over your music. But, it can be a lot of work. You'll need to handle everything from manufacturing to marketing. If you work with a record label, they'll take care of some of the work for you. But, you'll usually have to give up some creative control. Regardless of which route you choose, make sure you put out high-quality music that you're proud of.

Sell beats and samples

If you make your own music, you can also sell beats and samples. This is a great way to make money from your music without having to release it. There are a few different ways to sell beats and samples. You can work with a beat store, such as Beatstars or Airbit. Or, you can sell them directly to artists.

The key to selling beats and samples is to make sure you're putting out high-quality products. You also need to market your beats and samples well so that people know they exist.

Take care about branding

Your branding is how people perceive you and your music. So, it's important to take some time to develop a strong brand. This includes things like your logo, artwork, and social media presence. Your branding should be consistent across all platforms.

Creating a strong brand will take some time and effort. But, it's worth it. A strong brand will help you build a loyal following and make it easier to sell your music.

Create your educational content

Another option for how to make money as a musician is to create educational content. You could create ebooks or give lessons. This is a great way to monetize your knowledge and skill without having to distribute music.

Conclusion

These are just a few of the ways you can sell your music online and make money. Start exploring where to sell your music online and see what works best for you. There are plenty of online music stores and other networks to help you. And, don't forget to keep creating great music!