To sell your music online and make money, use digital distribution platforms that place your tracks on streaming services and digital stores worldwide, allowing you to earn income from streams and downloads[1].
Start by uploading your music and artwork to a distribution service such as TuneCore, LANDR, or Kami Records; these platforms then distribute your music to outlets like Spotify, Apple Music, Amazon Music, YouTube Music, and over a hundred other stores and streaming platforms[1][5][7].
You get paid when fans stream your music or purchase downloads; your earnings accumulate in your distribution account and can be withdrawn periodically[1]. Streaming payouts vary significantly across platforms: for example, TIDAL pays up to $0.013 per stream, YouTube Music around $0.008, Apple Music typically $0.006–$0.01, and Spotify about $0.003 per stream, often requiring roughly 230 streams for $1[4][6]. Amazon Music and Apple Music are among the most lucrative for streams, averaging over $6 per 1,000 streams, while Spotify pays closer to $3 per 1,000 streams on average[2].
In addition to global digital distribution, you can grow your revenue by creating your own website or online store to sell music directly to fans, offering downloads, exclusive tracks, or merchandise[3][5][7]. Leveraging social media, your website, and email marketing helps drive listeners to your music and boosts sales and streams[3][5].
To maximize your earnings:
- Choose multiple digital distributors to broaden your reach across platforms[1][5].
- Promote your releases through social media, influencer partnerships, and direct fan engagement[5].
- Use your own website to sell directly and control pricing and fan engagement[3][7].
- Analyze platform payout rates and focus your marketing on platforms with higher returns per stream (such as TIDAL or Apple Music)[4][6].
- Utilize royalty calculators or distributor reports to track your streaming income and optimize your strategy[4].
References
- [1] Sell Your Music Online Worldwide | Start Earning Money – TuneCore
- [2] Chart: What Artists Earn For Music Streams – Statista
- [3] How to Sell Music Online: A Complete Guide for Musicians – inClassics
- [4] How Music Streaming Platforms Calculate Payouts Per Stream 2025
- [5] Sell Your Music Online | Earn Money from Your Music – LANDR
- [6] What Music Streaming Platform Pays Artists the Most in 2025?
- [7] Sell your music – How to sell music online and make money