Music Promotion: Make Money Selling Music Online & Sites to Use

Want some music promotion guide, especially how to make money selling your music online? If yes, this article will prove very helpful.

It provides you lots of tips on how to promote your music and how to make money online selling it.

First, this is certainly for those who can compose and make music.

If this is you, then you probably want to make a living out of it.

You may not be a famous songwriter or celebrity musician overnight but you can get paid if you steadily employ some of the methods in this article.

You can promote and sell your music on the Internet… and if you follow all the tips in this article you can even learn how to make money fast from your music.

There are many online options and even websites you can use. Once you do what is required by the website, you can begin to get good results.

You need to build a loyal fan base when it comes to selling your music online. This is important because your fan base has a huge role to play when it comes to promoting your work.

That said, there are already ways that music is promoted and sold online. These ways are often employed by musicians, promoters, or others in the music industry.

In this article, a highlight of the different ways to make money selling music online is shared. Afterwards, you will get some useful details of 15 websites where you can get paid to promote and sell your music.

 

Music Promotion and How to Make Money Selling Your Music Online

The following are ways you can sell your music online:

Music licensing

Music licensing means you write or make a song and give people or companies the right to use it as their own.

You don’t need to have a popular song or be well-known before you can license a song and get paid.

Most soundtracks for movies and videos have been licensed to the producers!

Note that this is different from making money listening to music.

Music licensing pays well and a lot of well-known and upcoming artistes/musicians use this technique to make a steady income online.

Your song can be licensed to ad agencies, YouTubers that need music for their video, videographers, indie filmmakers, music supervisors on TV shows, and so on.

The opportunities for music licensing can be sought out when you submit your songs to music libraries – these are platforms that curate music you submit for licensing opportunities.

In other words, these companies or websites make your songs or tracks available for licensing to potential customers like film makers, music producers, videographers, advertising agencies, and more!

Related: How To Make Money Writing Music Reviews & Making Money as an Illustrator.

 

Music Streaming

Music streaming means that your musical audio or video file is played on a site while it is downloaded.

You will be paid per-stream of your song. The more streaming of your music, the more payouts you will enjoy.

There are lots of streaming services out there. They not only serve as online income generators but also as a platform to build a fan base.

Although the amount you receive from streaming is not much, it can add up to earn you money in the long run.

Also See: Earn Money Watching Videos… and many sites that actually pay.

 

Digital Merch or ‘Digital Merchandise”

Musicians can make money by selling digital merchandise to their fans. Items printed with inscriptions, logos, or signatures of the musician can be sold to fans.

Thus, you can include items like videos, PDFs, lyric books, sheet music, live concerts, exclusive photos, and more.

You can keep 100% of the revenue from the sale of any kind of digital merchandise.

 

Sell Tickets online

You can make money with your music by selling tickets online. Your fans can pay for tickets to your shows online.

You can set up a website or you can use the services of some online marketplaces to advertise and sell your tickets to fans.

Talking about online marketplaces, there are sites like Amazon that you can also use these days.

 

Digital Royalties

You can make money with your music by collecting digital royalties.

These are income you earn whenever your music is played on some online radio services, webcasters, and music distribution companies.

SoundExchange, Pandora and SiriusXM Radio are typical examples you should not ignore.

 

YouTube

YouTube is one place that musicians can use to make money online, using money earning apps or even directly. If you want to make money online with your music, then you may want to consider posting your music on your YouTube channel

YouTube will pay you whenever your music is used in videos that are running in ads.

This monetization strategy of YouTube is worth considering. A portion of the advertising money will be paid to you since you are the rights holder of the song.

Related: Earn Money Watching Youtube… and many sites that actually pay.

 

Songwriting/Composing for others

You can make money online by selling your composed music to others. If you are a gifted songwriter then sell your talent online and earn money.

You can write songs for individuals, film makers and television. You can write and upload the songs via your blog/website so that fans or buyers can download them and pay.

If your songwriting skills are very good, then you are more likely to get more songwriting jobs.

Talking about gifts of writing songs, you can even learn how to write a poem and get paid, thanks to many publishing companies paying for poetry.

Also See: Trey Songz Net Worth as a musician, songwriter and actor.

 

Music Lessons

You can also organize music lessons online and make money.

Lessons can be provided on musical instruments you are passionate about. You can teach different instruments or songs and get paid.

 

Sponsorships

You can be contacted by companies for sponsorship opportunities. If you have a huge fan base then companies may actually contact you for sponsorship deals.

You will be paid based on the contract, and the deal could be lucrative.

Related: Instagram Sponsorship and how to get paid to post on Instagram.

 

15 Best Sites That Can Help You Get Paid Selling Your Music Online

 

1. DistroKid

DistroKid is a website that distributes and sells your music online.

With this platform you can actually make money by having your music distributed to partners and other streaming platforms.

DistroKid does not engage in music licensing or copyrighting. It is a paid service and you get to pay a flat yearly fee of approximately $20 for unlimited uploads.

Click here to check out DistroKid

Click for apps that pay you to share links with others online.

 

2. Patreon

Patreon is a platform that allows musicians and other creators to get paid while running a membership business for their fans.

If you have a steady fan base as a musician, you can utilize the tools of Patreon to sell your music and get paid.

You can create and share your music on Patreon and your fans will subscribe to experience what you have to offer.

Patreon brings musicians and their fans together as they can interact with each other with photo shares, comments, real-time live online chat and more.

As a creator with Patreon, you can enjoy the following privileges:

• You can run ads and work with sponsors even while being a creator on this platform
• You retain 100% ownership of your work and there are no contracts to sign
• You can easily rally and meet your fans.
• You only part with 5% of your earning as commission to Patreo

Patreon should be considered if you want to make money online selling your music. You simply focus on creating music and this platform will take care of the rest!

Click here to check out Patreon

Click for apps that pay you to go on dates with others online.

 

3. Pandora

Pandora is another reputable platform where you can share your music and have fans listen to it.

On the About Page of this platform, it is described as:

“…a place where artists find their fans and listeners find music they love.”

With Pandora, you are empowered with valuable data and tools to help you grow and connect with your fans. Thus, this platform easily makes the artist/fan connection a more rewarding experience!

If you sign up with Pandora and utilize its tools, your music fan base will grow and you will make money as you gain wider exposure.

Fans can subscribe to your songs with Pandora Premium where they enjoy personalized on-demand music for $9.99/month. Or, they can subscribe to listen to personalized radio with ads for $4.99/month in the Pandora Plus.

So, you will earn money when people stream or download your songs via Pandora.

Who knows, you might even learn how to make 200 dollars in one day or even how to make 1000 dollars fast, if you give this your best.

Click here to check out Pandora

 

4. GigSalad

GigSalad is more like a marketplace where talent is booked for events.

If you are musician, then you may want to consider using this service to get gigs that allow you to play and earn from events.

You can be hired to play at children’s parties, weddings, conferences and many other specialized events.

In other words, this platform is ideal for booking talent for corporate, private, and public gigs.

By the way, if you are hired to play at children’s parties, you can even get some free books for kids to give away, to get more love from the kids.

Anything to make you get more results and fame, as you build your way to the top.

You can be hired as a solo musician or as a band. It’s important that your talent is defined.

You can be rated as a Top performer after meeting certain criteria. Thereafter you will be more likely get more gigs and earn more money!

One important feature of this service is that every musician decides what he/she charges for each performance!

Gigsalad is a paid service and a musician can register as a Pro or a Featured member. You can accept deposits of up to $1000 or $2000 respectively.

Sign up fees for Pro and Featured membership are $29.99/mo (when prepaid annually @ $359) and $39.99/mo (when prepaid annually @ $479).

There are benefits of each of the memberships.

Click here to check out Gigsalad

Also See: How to Make 200 Dollars Fast and Importance of Retirement Planning.

 

5. SoundCloud

SoundCloud is a music streaming service. If you share your music on this platform, there is a huge possibility that many fans will find it.

This platform caters to a large online community of music lovers all over the globe.

You can sign up with this service to promote your music. Fans get will get to download your music after listening and subscribing.

Click here to check out SoundCloud

Also See: Earn Money Playing Games… and genuine companies that really pay.

 

6. CDBaby

CDBaby is very popular when it comes to selling music. It is a platform that provides musicians with more opportunities to make money from the sale of their music.

This is a large music distribution and licensing platform.

As a provider of many opportunities to sell music, CDBaby can help distribute your songs to different streaming platforms that include:  iTunes, Apple Music, Spotify, Amazon, Google Play, Tidal, Deezer, and dozens more!

Talking about Apple and Amazon, do you know which to choose between Roku vs Amazon Firestick vs Apple TV?

Regardless though, this service allows your music to be available in over 150+ streaming and download services around the world.

You can get paid the most revenue for your music if you take advantage of this platform.

On the website, it is clearly stated that:

“Streaming, downloads, CD & vinyl sales, YouTube monetization, sync licensing, publishing royalty collection, direct-to-fan sales, & more — anywhere you can earn money from your music, CD Baby is getting you paid.”

Other interesting details you need to know about this platform include:

• CD Baby will only keep 9% of your download sales while you keep 91%. Also, only $4 is kept by CD Baby for each CD and vinyl album sold and the rest is paid to you.

• You can set your desired “pay-point” and once you reach that target you are paid via PayPal, check or direct deposit. You will get paid weekly!

You simply need to create an account with a one-time setup fee.

Click here to checkout CD Baby

Also See: Earn Money Playing Quiz… and genuine programs that really pay.

 

7. TuneCore

TuneCore is a huge platform where your music can be distributed and you get to earn from the sales.

Your music can be distributed to popular platforms like Spotify, Apple Music, Amazon Music, Google Play Music and other digital stores.

You can open a Free account and join other artists who have been making more money through downloads and streams.

To sell your music at TuneCore, you simply follow these steps as shared on the website:

• Upload your tracks, artwork, and release information quickly and easily to any one of the over 150+ digital store and streaming services. These may include popular platforms like Apple Music, Amazon, Google Play and Spotify, etc.

• Your release will then be sent by TuneCore to the selected stores and streaming services worldwide. This will ensure your music is live in the stores sooner and you start selling!

• You can make up to $9.99 per single and up to $29.99 per album.

• You will get paid every time your music is streamed or every time it gets a download. The money goes directly into your TuneCore account.

• You will retain 100% of your sales revenue and also the copyrights!

Click here to check out TuneCore

 

8. Apple Music

Apple Music is obviously one of the biggest music and video streaming services. It is owned and operated by big ol’ Apple Inc., the popular computer and software maker!

With this platform, your music can be streamed and downloaded. Users of this on-demand service can also listen to music curated by “music experts”.

Individuals, students and families can subscribe to Apple Music in various plans. They can access and play just about any type of music they want.

Apple will pay you when your music is streamed even in the free trial period!

Apple Music is available in iTunes, and for iOS and Android devices.

Click here to check out Apple Music

Talking about Apple and iPhones, do you know the best place to sell your iPhone? Yes, not every place can be trusted, so click here to check some of them out.

 

9. YouTube Music

YouTube Music is a music streaming service developed by YouTube. Users of this service can access and stream music videos uploaded by artists.

You can share your musical video on this platform and get paid when it is streamed and downloaded by users.

Subscribers are provided with the benefit of accessing “ad-free playback, audio-only background playback, and downloading songs for offline playback.”

With YouTube Music Premium the revenue from streaming and downloading is shared with the artists.

Click here to check out YouTube Music

Also See: Business Ideas For Enterpreneurial Women.

 

10. Google Play Music

Google Play Music is a music and podcast streaming service and online music locker operated by Google.

Users can subscribe to and stream a variety of songs from different artists all over the world.

If you are an artist, then Google Play Music can be a place to get paid for your music. Anytime your music is streamed or downloaded, you get paid.

Click here to check out Google Play Music

 

11. Amazon Music

Amazon Music is a music streaming platform operated by Amazon – the world’s largest ecommerce store.

Users can subscribe and listen to different types of music. They can listen to Amazon Music unlimited where tens of millions of songs, thousands of curated playlists, many stations and personalized recommendations can be chosen.

If you are an artist, then this on-demand music streaming service can be a place to get paid for your music.

Amazon Music will pay you whenever your song is streamed and purchased by Premium members.

Click here to check out Amazon Music

 

12. SongCast

SongCast is a music distribution platform. It is a place where artists can have their music distributed and released in digital music stores for streaming and download.

Musicians use this platform to promote and sell their music online!

With this SongCast, your music as a content creator is distributed on popular platforms like

• iTunes
• Pandora
• Spotify
• Apple Music
• Google Play
• SoundCloud
• Tidal
• Amazon Music
• Shazam
• 7digital
• Napster
• eMusic
• MediaNet

SongCast also provides you with other Amazing tools and features that make selling  your songs easier.

Thus, you can also take advantage of:

• Spotify Daily Analytics, Apple Music Daily Stats and iTunes Daily Trend Reports!
• 100% royalty payouts!

So, start collecting royalties along with thousands of other artists and labels that use SongCast each and every day!

Click here to checkout SongCast

 

13. Bandcamp

Bandcamp is a platform where musicians can get paid for promoting their music. It helps artists and labels to share and earn money from their music while it also helps music fans to discover and enjoy new songs!

If your music is shared or distributed through Bandcamp, you will receive 80-85% of the revenue from the sale.

This means that Bandcamp will keep 10-15% on digital items, and 10% on physical goods as processor fess or revenue share.

You will get paid daily when your music is sold on Bandcamp!

Click here to check out Bandcamp

 

14. Tidal

Tidal is a popular platform where musicians promote their music. According to the website:

“TIDAL is a global music and entertainment platform that brings artists and fans together through unique music and content experiences and is currently available in 52 countries.”

If you are a musician, you can promote your song here and get paid. You can even keep receiving residual income for a long time to come.

You will receive payments when your music is streamed. The payment you receive is part of the subscription fees paid by users.

TIDAL provides the highest compensation to artists, everyone is paid equally!

Click here to checkout TIDAL

 

15. Spotify

Spotify is a digital music, podcast, and video streaming service. It is owned and operated by a Swedish company Spotify Technology which is based in Stockholm, Sweden.

Today, this company operates in many countries and regions.

This platform gives subscribers access to millions of songs and other content from all over the world.

If you are an artist, you can share your music on this platform as a hobby or even an online job, and get paid when it is streamed or downloaded.

Click here to checkout Spotify

It’s really not that hard making money from your music, especially when you really love making music.

Talking about love for music, if you want to know how much money some of the popular celebrities earn by doing what they love, check out the following articles right here on Kingged:

• Flo Rida’s Net Worth
• Macklemore’s Net Worth
• Chuck Liddell’s Net Worth
• Jaden Smith’s Net Worth
• Rae Sremmurd’s Net Worth
• Daddy Yankee’s Net Worth
• Trina’s Net Worth
• Pusha T’s Net Worth
• Tom Hardy’s Net Worth
• Tyrese Gibson’s Net Worth
• Young M.A Net Worth
• Jeff Foxworthy’s Net Worth
• Lil Pump’s Net Worth
• J. Cole’s Net Worth
• Dan Bilzerian’s Net Worth
• Wayne Gretzky’s Net Worth
• Big Sean’s Net Worth
• Mila Kunis’ Net Worth
• Tyler the Creator’s Net Worth
• DJ Envy’s Net Worth
• Chris Brown’s Net Worth
• LL Cool J’s Net Worth

They all make money from their love for music and/or acting, one way or another. This goes to show just about anyone can make money doing what they love… especially if they commit to it for a while.

 

Conclusion

Musicians can make a sustainable income from their music. There are many options they can seek to sell their music.

If you want to start making money with your music, consider the options explained above.

Also, you may want to check out the 15 platforms or websites where you can actually get paid for your music.

 

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