SoundCloud is a music sharing and streaming platform which allows users to upload & share music to fans and listeners around the world. You can create a SoundCloud profile for free by navigating to SoundCloud’s website and clicking ‘Create An Account’. Read more about this here.
Artists can use SoundCloud to upload their official releases, demos, and more to share with fans around the world.
SoundCloud can be an incredible platform for engagement and promotion. We’ve outlined some tips and best practices below to guide you through optimizing your presence on SoundCloud:
- Optimize Your Profile: Keeping your SoundCloud profile up to date is super important. Make sure your profile image and banner are up to date and match the branding you have on other digital services & social platforms. Your banner should always include whatever you’re currently promoting (current release, tour, etc.). Don’t forget to also list links to your social handles in your profile description, and add upcoming tour dates using services like Songkick.
- Be Active & Engage: While uploading your music to SoundCloud is a great way to generate a presence on the platform, it’s also super important you remain active and engaged across SoundCloud. Doing things like following your collaborators or artists you’re inspired by, liking tracks by other artists, and creating playlists are examples of how you can keep your profile active & engaged. Also, interact with your own fans! If you see fans consistently commenting or liking your releases, consider giving them a follow and returning the love. It keeps your SoundCloud profile active, but also boosts your engagement with your fans!
- Run Announcements & Teasers: SoundCloud can be a great platform to announce and tease new material on. You can upload a sample of your newest release to tease your followers and then replace it with the full audio once the release is live. You can also record a release or tour announcement and upload it as a track on SoundCloud and encourage your fans to follow you to stay up to date on your new projects.