9 Killer Methods for 2024

As an artist, we’ve all puzzled at some stage find out how to get extra performs on SoundCloud.

In spite of everything, you might be chargeable for selling your personal music. However what are you able to do on SoundCloud particularly to extend these numbers?

On this information, we’ve gathered 9 of the most effective methods you possibly can implement TODAY to spice up your performs on SoundCloud. We received’t waste any of your time, so let’s dive straight in 👇

By the way in which, in case you’re on the lookout for the most effective hacks to get extra performs on Spotify, bookmark this information for later.

Technique 1: Make (Really) Nice Music

Okay, so that you most likely don’t wish to hear this one, however we now have to begin right here.

Whereas it’s attainable to advertise crap music, it by no means survives the final word check: the opinion of the viewers.

Irrespective of how a lot PR or advertising and marketing you give a observe, if it’s simply common, you received’t get extra SoundCloud performs.

Folks don’t purchase a vacuum cleaner in the event that they don’t need one, so individuals received’t hearken to music in the event that they don’t prefer it.

One factor to recollect is that actually anyone can add to SoundCloud.

That is undeniably nice for the democratization of music manufacturing and promotion. Nevertheless, it additionally implies that the standard of the music uploaded can vary from nice to common to downright trash.

With SoundCloud, anyone can add a 30-second demo. No want for a distributor like with Apple Music or Spotify. Which means that the typical SoundCloud listener is used to skipping tracks much more than on different platforms.

In case your tracks don’t lower it when it comes to high quality – individuals will skip. Much more importantly, in case you don’t hook the listener after a number of seconds, they may skip too.

Ought to I Add Every little thing I Produce to Get Extra Performs on SoundCloud…?

However this begs the query – ought to I add my music if it’s not 100% there but? That is debatable, however on a platform like SoundCloud, the stakes are a lot decrease, with eradicating tracks being only a click on away.

Plus, you’re more likely to get useful suggestions from the general public in case you ask for it, permitting you to gauge what is going to and received’t work.

So whereas selling music on-line is vital, getting suggestions and taking that into the studio will show to be a way more useful use of time.

So how do I make my music ‘higher’? That’s one other subject completely, and that’s additionally why we now have programs like EDM Foundations and Songwriting for Producers.

However a number of pointers:

• be certain your core musical concepts are strong – manufacturing, mixing, and mastering received’t matter in any other case;
• get suggestions from listeners, tastemakers, and different artists;
• be affected person and preserve making a big quantity of music.

So, there you go: two contradictory opinions 😅. On the one hand, your music must be of the best high quality. However, releasing a whole lot of music can get your identify on the market, and enable you to enhance.

The reality is, that various things work for various individuals. Some producers favor to get suggestions in personal for years earlier than releasing their first observe. Others will begin releasing tracks as quickly as they’re performed, and let the listeners make up their minds. You’ve bought to resolve for your self what technique you like to undertake.

Technique 2: Which SoundCloud Plan Ought to You Get?

SoundCloud is infamous for altering its numerous plans. So it may be a bit complicated as to what you must get, and what you’re paying for precisely.

So right here’s the recap on the completely different SoundCloud plans as of September 2024:

• SoundCloud Subsequent (free)
• SoundCloud Subsequent Professional (11€/month)
• SoundCloud Go (5.99€/month)
• SoundCloud Go+ (10.99€/month)
• SoundCloud DJ (19.99€/month)

What units these plans aside? Properly, we are able to break these plans primarily based on how you intend to make use of SoundCloud.

If you happen to’re only a listener, then the Go, Go+, or DJ plans are those you must take a look at.

These 3 plans are designed to present you an ad-free listening expertise, offline entry, and extra. However they received’t allow you to add music. For that, it’s worthwhile to take a look at the Subsequent or Subsequent Professional plans.

The SoundCloud Subsequent and SoundCloud Subsequent Professional plans are those that really allow you to add your music. So what units them aside?

At first, it would appear to be the free plan is sufficient. 3h of observe uploads? That’s already 45 tracks at a 4-minute common size. Not too unhealthy.

Nevertheless, there are fairly a number of options you received’t get entry to in case you stick with the Subsequent plan.

Firstly, you received’t be capable of set any Highlight tracks:

Highlight helps you to select which observe individuals see first after they come to your profile. This manner, you possibly can spotlight your newest launch or bootleg. With out a Highlight, individuals will simply see the final observe you’ve reposted or shared.

Secondly, you received’t be capable of monetize your tracks.

Which may not appear to be a precedence proper now, however you by no means when a observe will pop off 👀.

Lastly, SoundCloud significantly limits your insights into listening stats when on the free plan. You may get a bit of information right here and there about who’s listening to your music and the place. However you’ll shortly run into blurred-out sections:

Lastly, in case you don’t get a Subsequent Professional plan, SoundCloud will bombard you till you do 😅. Actually, they’re relentless with their popups.

So, though you can begin with the free plan, the Subsequent Professional plan will in a short time change into important if you wish to get extra performs.

Technique 3: Make Positive Your Account is Up-To-Date to Get Extra Performs on SoundCloud

We’ve additionally lined this in our Prime Spotify Hacks, however preserving an up-to-date profile web page is essential.

Firstly, be certain to write down a brief, compelling bio. This may be the identical bio you will have in your Spotify profile web page:

Describe the style you produce in addition to somewhat bit about your self. If you happen to’ve had any notable releases or main occasions you performed at, embody them right here too.

Subsequent, be certain your profile and background pic are up to date.

Artists will typically replace their background pic to function their newest launch. That’s an important concept, however be certain to maintain it up-to-date. Ideally, your profile pic needs to be the identical because the one on Spotify for consistency’s sake.

Lastly, be certain your social media handles are up to date:

If you happen to’ve stopped utilizing a particular social media, then take away the hyperlink. No one needs to move to your Twitter profile solely to search out out you haven’t posted since 2015 😅.

Technique 4: Leverage Current Audiences to Get Extra Performs on SoundCloud

This is likely to be complicated to say, but it surely’s true.

There are people who find themselves all the time going to be higher at advertising and marketing music than you. So don’t reinvent the wheel, use these individuals to your benefit.

Discover channels on Soundcloud that may share your music with bigger numbers of individuals than you ever may.

This might come within the type of

• Repost channels
• Different artists with greater followings
• Promotional channels
• Labels/collectives
• Playlisters

Don’t ignore offsite audiences as nicely. Simply because they don’t have bigger audiences on SoundCloud, doesn’t imply a weblog or YouTube channel can’t ship plenty of performs your manner.

Be certain that to make the most of:

• Blogs
• YouTube Channels
• Spotify Playlists
• Influencers (e.g. vloggers, Instagram accounts)
• Radio stations (some play immediately off SoundCloud!)

The important thing right here is to search out channels which might be match on your music. Don’t go messaging somebody simply because they’ve a whole lot of followers. They’re already on the lookout for very particular sorts of music for his or her tastes.

So play a number of of their earlier uploads/shares and decide. Don’t be too scared in case your music isn’t precisely the identical as what’s already there, but when it’s too completely different, it’ll doubtless get a go.

As soon as you already know who to ship music to, then it’s worthwhile to determine how.

Technique 5: Electronic mail remains to be King

How do you ship a message:

• that you already know the recipient will get;
• that goes to a spot they test fairly often;
• that’s easy and clear;
• utilizing one thing everybody has;
• that doesn’t depend on a platform that might be gone quickly.

The reply? Electronic mail. It’s previous, however it’s still the best.

However how do you apply this to Soundcloud?

Electronic mail for Networking

Everybody has an electronic mail. Artists. Labels. Promo channels. Repost channels. Avid music followers. And you’ll talk with them by means of this channel, irrespective of if they’ve Fb, Instagram, Twitter, or not.

I bought my largest play numbers out of electronic mail networking, together with a prime placement on certainly one of Majestic Informal’s weekly playlists on Soundcloud. On this case, it was a kind that despatched them an electronic mail, however the level nonetheless stands.

An Precise Case Research About The best way to Get Extra Performs on Soundcloud

Right here’s an instance of me emailing my observe to somebody for a YouTube add, and searching on the distinction in response time.

I bought a response in lower than 24 hours!

Granted, this received’t normally be the case for large names within the trade, however electronic mail networking works.

To not say you could’t use avenues like Fb, Twitter and Instagram. These channels are nice however all the time attempt electronic mail first. And use the Hubspot extension to track email opens.

To make this simpler, you’ll wish to make an inventory of emails of related individuals you possibly can ship your music to:

A number of ideas & tips about sending emails:

• Be concise – the recipient is probably going already time-poor, so get to the purpose.
• Ship them a SoundCloud hyperlink – it’s the best to hearken to, and you may make it downloadable.
• Be conversational – don’t simply ship a hyperlink, really deal with the particular person on the opposite finish like a human, and also you’ll get handled like one too.
• Personalise messages – CC’ing a big record by no means works, and it usually annoys individuals, particularly if individuals ‘Reply All’. Ship one message at a time and as soon as once more, deal with them like a human.
• Comply with up – not all people is able to do one thing the primary time round. Comply with up in every week or two (relying on the particular person) in the event that they haven’t replied.

In order for you extra promo electronic mail etiquette ideas, check out this list from an industry professional.

Constructing a Listing

Obtain gates (akin to ToneDen and Hypeddit) are nice methods to gather emails:

If you happen to haven’t heard of those instruments earlier than, they’re referred to as “obtain gates” (extra on them later in Technique #7). In a nutshell, they allow you to require steps earlier than individuals can obtain a observe of yours.

If you happen to’re a Bandcamp consumer, you possibly can grab email addresses on checkout too. That manner, you possibly can construct an inventory to ship your music to the following time you will have one thing to launch!

When you’ve bought an inventory, it’s worthwhile to discover an electronic mail advertising and marketing service. Symphonic Distribution compiled a list of the best email marketing platforms for musicians, so be certain to present {that a} learn.

Technique 6: What About Repost Chains?

Repost chains was probably the most helpful instruments to get extra performs on SoundCloud. On the time, it was a really efficient strategy to garner the pressure of a number of accounts in a easy, automated manner.

In essence, a repost chain was merely a gaggle of people that mechanically repost a observe, every at a timed interval, to maximise publicity.

Nevertheless, we are able to now not suggest this system in 2024.

Soundcloud has largely cracked down on Repost chains. Right here’s what their phrases of service state:

However even when SoundCloud had been to permit it, we wouldn’t suggest it. You merely received’t get any true followers from this system. Positive, your Soundcloud performs will go up. However in the long run, these performs received’t convert into true followers who will hearken to your music and are available to your reveals. So steer clear of pretend ways like this.

Technique 7: Leverage the Free Obtain Choice to Get Extra Performs on SoundCloud

For my part, the Free Obtain is certainly one of SoundCloud’s strongest instruments.

Firstly, enabling a free obtain is the quickest strategy to get a observe into the arms of a DJ.

It’s because individuals don’t obtain tracks to play them on their laptop. They obtain them to play them in mixes. Secondly, utilizing Obtain Gates is among the greatest methods to extend Followers and finally the variety of performs on SoundCloud.

If you happen to’ve by no means heard of Obtain Gates, right here’s the TL; DR.

A Obtain Gate helps you to set quite a lot of “steps” that individuals want to finish earlier than downloading your observe. More often than not, these can embody:

• Comply with your artist web page
• Just like the observe
• Repost the observe
• Touch upon observe
• Present their electronic mail deal with

Primarily based on the dimensions of your viewers, and the way assured you might be, you possibly can resolve so as to add extra or fewer steps. I discover that asking individuals to observe, like, and repost your observe is an efficient compromise.

The most well-liked service is known as Hypeddit. It’s free, however you too can get a premium account to unlock extra obtain steps (akin to computerized emails to followers, and cross-platform following).

Technique 8: Make Your Music Discoverable

Now that the ‘Uncover’ tab exists on SoundCloud, the goal is to get your music featured on this new avenue of discovery.

One of the simplest ways to try this is metadata. Inform SoundCloud what your music is, and provides it the most effective probability on the platform.

There are a number of key methods to do that:

• Appropriate Style tags
• Related observe tags
• Title your observe appropriately
• Make the most of the outline
• Get different engagement (likes, feedback and so on.)

You is likely to be questioning why I’ve bolded ‘Appropriate Style tags’, and that’s as a result of it’s most likely probably the most vital components in SoundCloud deciding the place your music will likely be positioned.

Past that, the extra metadata SoundCloud has, the extra alternatives it can provide that observe on the platform, not solely with ‘Uncover’ but in addition with the ‘Charts’ function, particularly when it will get extra performs.

Related metadata goes past the platform into different providers like Google, that means your music will come up in search outcomes too.

Why?

As a result of Google reads textual content, not your thoughts, and if it could possibly see who you might be and what your music’s referred to as, it’ll assist your possibilities of displaying up. Fairly neat.

Technique 9: Deal with Remixes and Bootlegs!

I’ve stored my favourite tip for final 😍.

Soundcloud has made a reputation for itself by being extraordinarily lenient relating to copyrights. To make it easy, you possibly can add just about something. Bootlegs of the Beatles, Madonna, Queen… Something goes. Strive the identical factor on Spotify or YouTube and also you’ll get copyright strikes actual fast.

This implies SoundCloud is to go-to place for DJs wanting unofficial remixes and bootlegs.

Let’s say you’re on the lookout for a remix of Guess by Charli XCX:

Growth! You’ve bought a Trance remix, a Home remix, and much more. And these tracks usually get lots of of 1000’s of performs!

So in case you’re an aspiring DJ, producing high-quality bootlegs is a good way to make a reputation for your self and get extra performs on Soundcloud.

Bonus Tip: Don’t Purchase to Get Extra Performs on Soundcloud

Everybody needs to take the simple highway, proper? However oftentimes it’s merely not value it.

For a number of thousand further performs within the quick time period, you possibly can injury your profession, danger your account getting shut down, or just lose the belief of your true followers. Plus, it’s in opposition to SoundCloud’s Terms of Use.

I needed to point out this right here as a result of it’s usually one thing individuals take into account after they’re seeking to up their SoundCloud sport. The identical may be stated for likes and followers, and different platforms too. These stats are pretend and don’t present natural progress.

The Greater Image of The best way to Get Extra Performs on Soundcloud

Like I already stated, advertising and marketing and selling your music ought to transcend SoundCloud.

Performs aren’t the one factor to think about both.

But it’s onerous to advertise your music nicely with out a whole lot of cash.

That’s why we made our information about selling your music on a price range. You may seize it free beneath:

When you’ve got questions on advertising and marketing and selling your music, let me know at [email protected] – I’d be completely satisfied to reply.

Need extra promotion and advertising and marketing ideas? Try 15 extra right here.