For many independent artists, uploading music to streaming platforms feels like the final goal. While streaming is an important part of today’s music ecosystem, it should not always be the first step. Selling your music directly to fans before releasing it to streaming platforms can provide significant benefits both financially and strategically.
1. Direct Sales Mean Direct Income
Streaming platforms pay fractions of a cent per stream. For emerging artists without a large audience, this often results in very little income, even after months of promotion.
Selling your music directly allows you to:
- Earn immediate income
- Set your own price
- Receive a fairer return for your work
A single direct sale can be worth hundreds or even thousands of streams.
2. Your Supporters Want to Support You
Your most loyal supporters, friends, family, and early fans are often willing to pay for your music if given the opportunity. Direct sales give fans a meaningful way to support your journey instead of passively streaming your work.
Buying your music:
- Feels more personal
- Strengthens fan loyalty
- Helps fund future releases, visuals, and marketing
3. Build Value Before Giving It Away
When music is immediately available on streaming platforms, it becomes easily accessible and easily overlooked. Selling your music first creates perceived value and positions your work as something worth paying for.
This approach allows you to:
- Release music intentionally
- Create limited-time exclusivity
- Control when and how your music becomes widely available
4. Streaming Still Has It's Place Just Not First
Streaming is excellent for discovery, playlists, and long-term visibility. However, it works best after you’ve:
- Generated initial income
- Built momentum around a release
- Rewarded your core supporters
By the time your music reaches streaming platforms, it already has a story, an audience, and proven demand.
5. How 1two1two Supports Independent Artists
1two1two provides a platform for artists to sell their music directly to fans before (or alongside) streaming releases. We help artists:
- Monetise their music fairly
- Maintain control over their work
- Build sustainable income streams
Selling your music is not about rejecting streaming, it’s about valuing your art and your effort.
Your music has value. Before giving it away to platforms that pay very little, consider selling it to the people who believe in you most. Streaming can follow but direct support can help you move forward faster.