SoundCloud has launched a new merchandise marketplace called the SoundCloud Store, marking its entry into the merchandising space.
This store will not only feature SoundCloud-themed items but will also serve as a platform for artists to create and sell their own custom designs. The launch includes the first edition of the store, showcasing designs from notable artists such as Wiz Khalifa, Denzel Curry, wolfacejoeyy, Bktherula, and Armani White.
In addition to these initial offerings, SoundCloud is collaborating with select artists from its Next Pro service, a paid subscription service for artists, allowing them to submit their designs for merchandising.
How the Merchandising Process Works
Once an artist submits a design, SoundCloud handles the entire process from creating mock-ups to producing the merchandise and listing the items in the store. Furthermore, SoundCloud will manage fan engagement and social promotion for these products. Importantly, SoundCloud will not charge any fees for this service, allowing artists to retain 100% of the profits from their merchandise sales.
The SoundCloud Store will be available to fans in the United States, Canada, and Europe at its launch. This move places SoundCloud among other social and music platforms that are increasingly offering artists tools to monetize their fanbase through mer1chandise sales.
For instance, Spotify provides tools for artists to display their merchandise catalog directly on their profiles, while Amazon Music has partnered with Bandsintown to offer similar services. Moreover, platforms like TikTok and YouTube have introduced features that enable creators to tag products in their videos and earn money through affiliate sales systems.
In the past year, SoundCloud has been active in rolling out new tools aimed at boosting fan engagement for artists. These tools include enhanced analytics to help artists better understand their listener base and the capability for artists to directly reach out to their fans.
