How to get more plays on SoundCloud in 2023
SoundCloud has long been a haven for artists and musicians. Although the landscape of the music industry and distribution has changed dramatically in the last two years, SoundCloud remains an important voice within the industry buy real sound cloud plays.
However, many artists struggle with how to get more plays on SoundCloud and cultivate a dedicated audience through SoundCloud followers. After all, it can be a challenge to gain followers on any platform, let alone one as big as SoundCloud.
Luckily, we've created a complete guide to help you build your SoundCloud community. Below, we'll share strategies to help you grow organic SoundCloud followers and a fan base beyond the community.
8 Ways to Gain Real Followers on SoundCloud
Here are some strategies to help you gain genuine plays and followers on SoundCloud. Keep in mind that these methods are not necessarily easy, nor are they a "quick fix." Real, authentic audiences take time to build. That being said, if you follow these strategies carefully, your music will be heard.
1. Exceptional music comes first
It may seem obvious, but without a doubt the best way to grow your SoundCloud account is to make exceptionally good music. Quality music speaks for itself in a world where almost anyone can access a DAW as long as you have access to the Internet. The music market is oversaturated, which means your music not only has to be good, it has to be excellent to have a chance.
Unfortunately, many musicians have the process go awry. Budding artists often create their own music, usually just a handful of songs, upload it to platforms, and then hope the project explodes through divine intervention. The image of an "overnight" success It has certainly fooled musicians in this regard, as things are rarely that easy. Even debut or "emerging" of record companies may have been signing and developing for years even though they have just come to light.
You have to create music that automatically leaves the listener wanting more, not just about the music, but about you and your story. This means doing a lot music until you have a voice unique and polished enough to generate real intrigue.
Music marketing is certainly an essential part of the process, but it's largely a waste of time if your music isn't up to par. If you're just starting out making music, seek out opinions from other artists and perfect your technique.
Focus all your energy on making good music before worrying about attracting listeners through marketing. It's going to be a waste of time, energy, and potentially money if you work on marketing before you've created the most refined version of your art.
2. Make sure your metadata is in check
Once you're ready to share your music, make sure you provide all the necessary data in your SoundCloud upload. Since Sound Cloud uses an algorithm to deliver songs to users, the more accurate your upload is, the more likely it will reach your target audience. Let's look, for example, at a successful topic:
This track by emerging artist Sofia Mills is duly credited, has intriguing cover art, and a descriptive genre (#AlternativeRock) that will likely help the track reach its target audience. Sofia's new profile art also matches the theme of her new release, adding production value.
Sofia is a popular artist on the platform, so you probably don't need to use additional hashtags or create an elaborate description for your topic. However, you can do it! Include links where fans can find you on other platforms and don't be afraid to add other relevant tags.
You can also allow fans to download the song for free or purchase it through another platform such as iTunes or Bandcamp. Also be sure to tag any contributors before posting.
3. Anticipation of its launch
Too many artists put the emphasis only on release day. If you want to help your music gain more views, it's normal to start promoting it at least a couple of weeks before its release on all platforms, not just SoundCloud.
One of the SoundCloud-specific features you can take advantage of during this time is the "private links" option. Upload your song about 2-3 weeks before release day and set it as a private link instead of public. You can also set a scheduled release to automatically switch to public on release day.
In the weeks leading up to release day, you can use this private link to get plays on SoundCloud before it officially drops, connect with curators, and reward loyal fans. For example, you can grant an early listen to any fan who takes the time to pre-save your song. You can also upload your private link to sites like SubmitHub directly, where you can submit your song for curators to cover.
This will earn you legitimate plays on SoundCloud and could lead to extra hype on release day, which is always a good thing! However, be sure not to let your SoundCloud promotions run out once launch day has passed. The best thing you can do for your music is to maintain commercial momentum.
4. Put yourself out there, everywhere
It may seem counterintuitive, but to reach SoundCloud users, you need to reach listeners on multiple platforms. Becoming a marketable musician is all about making yourself known. Here are a couple of platforms you'll want to develop your presence on:
TikTok
There is no doubt that TikTok has made a name for itself in the music industry. Songs sneaking onto Tiktok are gaining more listeners than those playing on radio stations, so it's essential that you dedicate some time and energy to being on the platform through short-form video content.
YouTube
It may surprise you, but YouTube is actually one of the largest music streaming platforms in the world. Whether you're there to create music videos or short-form content through Reels, it's worth your time.
Instagram may not have the same shine as it once did, but its main competitor, Tiktok, is pushing the platform to prioritize organic reach. It's also one of the few photo-based platforms, so it can offer you a new way to connect with a different subset of fans and other artists.
Facebook may seem archaic to some, but the platform's interest in Web3 and shrinking the metaverse could prove a valuable resource for artists investing in the community.
Twitter is another great place to bring fans together and easily share links between fans and friends. You can easily drive traffic to SoundCloud tracks through this text-based platform.
Forum sites like Reddit have unique communities that can interact with your music in a new way. Make sure to network with other artists and make a place for yourself in this community.
Discord
The presence of musicians on Discord has only grown over time. Connect directly with your audience by creating a community of artists and your own server.
Managing other platforms can be overwhelming, so don't worry if you feel like some are stronger than others. This is natural, and as long as you have a presence in each one, don't feel like you have to overload each one with the same content. Many artists like to devote most of their energy to one or two platforms and publish only occasionally on the others. The key is to find what is sustainable for you.
5. Create a community
It goes without saying that to receive a little, you have to give a little. Don't just be a producer on SoundCloud, be a consumer too. Not only will this help you connect with other artists, but you'll also experience discovering new music firsthand, which can serve to narrow down your own artist strategy. Here are a couple of ways to get started:
Commitment begets commitment
If you haven't built a fan base yet, you may want to start by connecting with other artists who are in the same boat. Take the time to listen to other artists' music and take note of what makes one artist stand out from another. You'll find that you'll gain more listeners when you sit down and spend time with other people's music too.
Don't just spam people - other creators can tell very well whether you've actually heard a song or not. Instead, focus your energy on fewer accounts, but listen and comment carefully. These types of interactions are much more likely to foster relationships and mutual support than to annoy, at best.
Listen to your listeners
It goes without saying that your creative vision should come first. However, if you notice that multiple listeners are giving you some advice on how your sound can be improved, do your best to incorporate that feedback authentically. Listeners love being a part of the process, and this can help create more buzz for your next batch of SoundCloud songs.
Promotion circles
Promo Circles can be a great way to interact with other SoundCloud artists and support each other. These networks can be created by contacting individual artists and bringing a group together. The point is that each member supports each other. No one should have to "buy followers" or SoundCloud streams. Ideally, everyone in your promotional circle should be really excited about each other's music.
Collaborate
When it comes to being on SoundCloud, or simply creating as an emerging artist, it's incredibly important to collaborate with other musicians. Whether you make music with other SoundCloud users or musicians in your circle, making music with other people gives you the opportunity to grow in a whole new way.
Additionally, there is huge cross-promotion potential with these types of topics. Two heads are better than one, especially when both can access another audience through the other. If you don't yet know anyone who's willing to collaborate, reach out to other creators. The worst that can happen is that they refuse and you move on to the next adventure.
6. Look for conservatives
You may have to put on your detective hat, but if you can find SoundCloud playlist curators through social media or otherwise, be sure to contact them. One big DSP playlist on places like SoundCloud, Spotify, or anywhere else can turn into hundreds of real listeners who will hopefully become fans.
Connecting with these tastemakers can be difficult as an independent artist, but you can do it through sites like Submithub or try reaching out to curators directly. When you contact them, be brief, get to the point, and include a direct link to your music. This is where SoundCloud's private link feature comes in handy.
7. Consider a legitimate paid promotion
It's important to note that legitimately paid promotion can help a great track reach new heights, but it's not going to be worth the investment if the music can't sustain itself. You also have to keep an eye on an artist. Websites that offer free followers are rarely legitimate, and you don't want to unintentionally purchase fake SoundCloud plays.
Ultimately, while having more SoundCloud plays will give your ego a boost, only real SoundCloud plays will lead to a music career. Investing in bot services is a waste of energy and will only distort your valuable analytics, which is one of the most important tools artists have at their disposal.
That said, if you have a small marketing budget and want to get more real plays on SoundCloud, here are some resources that may be helpful:
Soundcloud promotion service
It's worth mentioning that SoundCloud now hosts its own promotion service . This feature is only available to artists who monetize on SoundCloud through SoundCloud Premier, Repost Select, or Repost by SoundCloud. The minimum spend is $25 per campaign, and you'll have to wait about a week between setting up the campaign and the campaign start date, which reiterates the importance of uploading your music well before launch day.
Social media ads
You can run ads on sites like Instagram, Facebook, and TikTok to help grow your fan base and bring different audiences to your music. There are plenty of tutorials on YouTube detailing how you can set up these campaigns, but you should know that it may take a lot of testing to find your target audience. It can be useful to submit a music landing page to promote your SoundCloud profile and other DSP profiles through a service like ToneDen .
Public relations and agencies
It's fair to say that the PR and music culture of the blogosphere is much less influential than it was a couple of years ago. That being said, a couple of select blogs continue to blaze a trail for artists and help them gain credit within the audiophile circle. PR doesn't always translate into getting plays on SoundCloud, but it can be a good investment in your career in the long run, depending on your sound and your intentions.
Advertising agencies can help you better target your advertising campaigns so you can get the most bang for your buck and turn viewers into members of your audience. However, professional campaigns can be quite expensive. Even if you can't afford these services as an emerging artist, it's worth keeping them in mind for the future.
8. The law of attraction
Learning how to build an audience can certainly be exhausting. Not only do independent artists have to make amazing music, they have to figure out how to consistently use promotional channels like SoundCloud to their advantage. However, try not to get discouraged! This is all part of the process.
In most cases, there is no singular event that propels an artist to stardom. Artists who are successful attract listeners if they consistently release quality music and consistently appear on promotional channels so their music can be found.
Professional musicians have equipment to help them cultivate social media strategy and audience engagement, but they've had to work to get there. When in doubt, know that great music is hard to ignore.
By focusing on a specific audience, creating a culture, and gaining new fans through consistent production and incredible art, you will naturally attract more followers and, hopefully, a team that can take your art to the next level. . Cultivating a strong SoundCloud account in the music world is important, but it's not the end all be all.
Focus on creating a lasting career and the rest will follow.
Therefore, gaining more plays on SoundCloud is not always easy, but it is inevitable if you take the time to cultivate your creativity. When you mix musical masterpieces with a magnificent marketing strategy, the issue is not yes your music will be heard, otherwise when . Enjoy the process of music and marketing.
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