Edmwarriors Team
Monetizing your creativity is a natural aspiration for artists in all creative fields. This is exactly why Edmwarriors invites you to read our article on how to sell your music online and all the components that go into making that successfully. From understanding copyright to preparing your tracks for online distribution here’s the entire process, laid out.
How to sell your music online begins with knowing your rights
When it comes to learning how to sell your music online, understanding copyright is foundational. As an artist, your work is automatically protected by copyright law the moment it takes a tangible form. This means that as soon as you've composed a song or recorded a track, it's legally yours, and you have the exclusive right to reproduce, distribute, perform, and display your work.
Performance rights are another cornerstone of income for musicians. They enable you to collect royalties whenever your music is performed publicly. This includes when your song is played on the radio, at live concerts, or in a coffee shop.
To ensure you're compensated for these performances, it's essential to join a performing rights organization (PRO) like ASCAP, BMI, or SESAC. These, of course, vary depending on your country but are valuable for helping you sell your music online. They act as intermediaries between you and the venues and broadcasters that play your music, ensuring you receive fair compensation.
Mechanical royalties and synchronization rights
Mechanical royalties are another significant source of income in the digital music era and one you should be aware of if you want to know how to sell your music online. Every time your work is downloaded or sold, you earn mechanical royalties. To collect them, it's vital to register your songs with a mechanical rights organization or digital distributor. This ensures you receive your due earnings when your music is distributed through various platforms.
If you've ever heard a song in a movie, TV show, commercial, or video game, you've witnessed synchronization rights. These allow you to license your music for use in visual media. It's a lucrative avenue for many artists, as it opens up an entirely new revenue stream.
To navigate this aspect effectively, you may want to consider working with a music licensing agency or maintain relationships with industry professionals who can help connect you with opportunities in the world of synchronization.
Selling your music as a ghost producer is a great way to monetize your talent!
In the ever-evolving landscape of the music industry, emerging DJs and music artists are exploring innovative avenues to monetize their talent. One of those ways is earning by selling as a ghost producer.
But… what is a ghost producer?
A ghost producer is a skilled music producer who creates tracks, beats, or entire songs for other artists or musicians without receiving public credit. Instead of releasing the music under their own name, the ghost producer sells their work to someone else who takes credit for the production.
Ghost producers are typically hired to create high-quality music for DJs, music artists, or record labels who may not have the necessary production skills or time to produce tracks themselves. They often sign non-disclosure agreements (NDAs) to maintain the anonymity of their work and keep their identity hidden from the public.
Selling your music as a ghost producer offers several benefits for upcoming DJs and music artists:
Ghost producers can remain anonymous, allowing them to create music without the pressures of fame or public scrutiny.
Ghost production provides a steady income stream, allowing artists to earn money by selling their tracks to other musicians or producers.
Artists can focus solely on creating music without worrying about the complexities of marketing, promotion, or administrative tasks.
Ghost producing enables artists to collaborate with established names in the industry, enhancing their credibility and opening doors to more opportunities.
Ghost producers can work on a variety of projects, exploring different genres and styles, which can broaden their musical expertise.
By selling pre-produced tracks, artists save time, enabling them to create a higher volume of music and explore various creative avenues.
Ghost production offers a stable income, providing financial stability and allowing artists to invest in their music career.
In essence, ghost production provides a practical and lucrative way for aspiring musicians to monetize their talent, gain exposure, and concentrate on what they do best – creating exceptional music.
Selling your music requires a stand-out online presence
In the competitive online world of music, having a unique and compelling brand is paramount. It represents not only your work but also your identity as an artist. It's what sets you apart and makes you memorable in the eyes of your audience. Your brand encompasses everything from your style and image to your messaging and values and is the basis of learning how to sell your music online.
Creating a professional website is a step in the right direction
In the digital age, your website is your virtual home base. It's often the first place fans, industry professionals, and the media will visit to learn more about you. As such, it's vital to have a well-designed website that accurately represents you and your artistry.
Ensure that your website is user-friendly, easy to navigate, and mobile-responsive. Don’t forget to regularly update it with your latest work, news, and engaging content. Your domain is the hub of your online presence, where fans can access your music, merch, and connect with you on a personal level and can help when selling your music online or on physical media.
Social media profiles are vital for musicians
It goes without saying that social media platforms are powerful tools for building and engaging with your fan base. From Facebook and Instagram to Twitter and TikTok, they offer direct access to your audience and are vital when learning how to sell your music online.
To make the most of your social media presence, it's crucial to develop a well-thought-out strategy. This includes posting regularly, interacting with your fans, and using engaging content such as videos, images, and live streams. Authenticity is key; fans appreciate artists who are genuine and accessible on these platforms.
If you want to learn more about the topic, read our Ultimate Music Marketing Guide.
Websites, personal branding and finding clients can be difficult so you can consider joining a ghost production platform
To be honest, creating a personal website can be a costly endeavor for upcoming music producers, especially when factoring in expenses related to domain registration, web hosting, design, and ongoing maintenance. For those looking for a more budget-friendly alternative, joining specialized ghost producing platforms like Edmwarriors can be an excellent option. These platforms act as virtual marketplaces where producers can showcase their talent, offer their services, and connect with potential clients without the hefty financial investment associated with building and maintaining a personal website.
By being part of such a platform, upcoming producers can tap into a ready-made audience of artists, DJs, and labels specifically searching for professional ghost producers. Moreover, these platforms often handle payment transactions securely, ensuring that both parties are protected during the exchange.
Choosing the right music distribution platforms
When it comes to getting your music on popular streaming platforms, you have two primary options: using aggregators or uploading directly. Aggregators like TuneCore and DistroKid act as intermediaries between you and the streaming platforms, making the distribution process more accessible. Uploading directly means submitting your work directly to platforms like Spotify and Apple Music. Your choice depends on your specific needs, goals, and budget. There’s no right answer here – both approaches can help sell your music online.
Metadata and Album Artwork
When you're preparing your tracks for distribution, the details matter. Properly tagging them with metadata, including song titles, artist names, and album information, is crucial for discoverability on streaming platforms. Additionally, creating eye-catching album artwork is essential, as it helps your work stand out from the thousands of other songs it competes with on a daily basis. This also helps with selling your music online.
Your cover art is often the first visual representation of your music, so it should be engaging and memorable. Creating a compelling image does not necessarily require spending a ton of money and hiring a professional illustrator, although collaboration is always a plus. The important thing is that the cover goes in tandem with the music itself.
Are you an inspiring music maker who wants to earn money from tracks while also mastering their craft? Join our team of professional music producers and sell your EDM tracks on the best music production services platform on the internet.
Getting ready for the spotlight: Music distribution
Investing in high-quality audio production is a non-negotiable step in your journey to sell music online. Your music's production quality directly impacts how it's received by your audience. You want it to be not just good but outstanding. Working with a skilled sound engineer who can ensure your recordings sound polished and professional, or at least getting a second trusted opinion is important.
A well-produced track not only stands out but also ensures that your music is on par with industry standards, improving your chances of getting noticed by playlist curators, bloggers, and listeners. It goes without saying that if you want to know how to sell your music, you need to know what people are willing to listen to on a purely sonic level.
Mastering your tracks
Mastering is the final, critical step in the music production process. It involves fine-tuning your tracks to achieve sonic consistency and clarity across your entire album. A well-mastered track has balanced levels, crisp dynamics, and a refined overall sound.
This is particularly important for selling your music is competing in the crowded digital marketplace. Mastering for streaming can make your music radio-ready and more appealing to listeners, increasing the chances of your music being featured on popular playlists.
Maximizing your streaming revenue
With your marketing efforts underway, it's time to maximize your revenue from streaming platforms. Spotify, Apple Music, Amazon Music, Tidal and many more, offer numerous opportunities to earn income by selling your music online.
Getting your music on the platforms is an essential step. Spotify, with its vast user base, offers the potential for significant exposure. Apple Music provides a dedicated platform for artists, while services like Amazon Music and Tidal cater to specific demographics. Ensuring your music is available on a wide range of streaming services to maximize your audience reach is a pivotal step in this process.
Playlisting strategies give you a great chance of exposure
Securing placements on popular playlists can give your music a considerable boost. Developing relationships with playlist curators and submitting your music for consideration is a great strategy when learning how to sell your music online. Additionally, you can create your playlists and feature your tracks, providing another avenue for promoting your music.
Fan engagement is the heart of any online music-selling campaign
Engaging with your fans is more than just building a fan base – it's about creating a loyal community. This is exactly why you should interact with your listeners on social media, respond to comments, and encourage feedback. Consider live streaming sessions, Q&A sessions, or virtual meet-and-greets to foster a stronger connection with your audience. Put yourself in their shoes – if you could ask your favorite musician anything and show them your appreciation, would you miss that chance?
In essence, we know that selling your music online and making money from your tracks could be a quite difficult task. However, joining a ghost producing platform like EDMWarriors offers a cost-effective and efficient way for upcoming producers to enter the market, showcase their skills, and start earning income from their music production talents, all without the financial strain of building and maintaining a personal website.