SoundCloud, the world’s largest open audio platform, today announced the expansion of its monetization and development program for creators, SoundCloud Premier. Since its inception, SoundCloud Premier has empowered creators to control their careers by offering a leading revenue sharing rate, and direct access to their audience to promote tracks and connect with fans worldwide in real-time.
Alongside its industry-leading tools to reach fans directly, SoundCloud is adding new marketing and promotional opportunities to help SoundCloud Premier creators build their careers on and off the platform:
Have a new track or album ready to drop? New tracks from Premier creators are now automatically eligible for promotional rotation in featured playlists including our “Fresh Pressed” new music feature on SoundCloud home.
New and trending Premier artists will be up for weekly and monthly spotlight promotions across SoundCloud social media channels, email newsletter placements, platform-wide audio and video promo spots, and out-of-home marketing opportunities created by SoundCloud.
SoundCloud connects creators with some of the world’s top brands for partnership opportunities that give them more exposure, and more money in their pocket.
Premier creators are the go-to choice for SoundCloud live events like SXSW and pop-up performances, and we’ll be adding more opportunities to help creators hone their live show and grow their fanbase.
Dedicated community support for SoundCloud Premier members, plus additional educational resources to help creators get set up on SoundCloud Premier and maximize their opportunities.
“SoundCloud has seen accelerated growth over the last two quarters, and as we grow, we want to ensure creators on the platform grow with us” says Kerry Trainor, Chief Executive Officer, SoundCloud. “As direct monetization empowers more artists every day, only SoundCloud Premier combines a leading revenue share with tools for creators to directly interact with their fans and, now, opportunities to access SoundCloud’s global listener base.”
SoundCloud Premier members and alumni represent an incredible range of artists shaping music culture including Chance the Rapper, Kali Uchis, Lil Uzi Vert, $UICIDEBOY$, Alina Baraz, Towkio, Louis the Child, Lil Yachty, blackbear, MadeinTYO, Metro Boomin and many more. The combined accolades of SoundCloud Premier creators to date include 14 GRAMMY Awards nominations, 10 MTV Video Music Awards nominations, three BRIT Awards nominations, 41 albums hitting the Billboard 200, and 122 tracks charting in Billboard’s Hot 100.
“SoundCloud has a very unique community and group of listeners, so it's great to come to SoundCloud to connect directly with my fans and build my fanbase, and also make money,” said Grammy-nominated producer/multi-instrumentalist/DJ and SoundCloud Premier member, starRo.
Hip-hop artist and SoundCloud Premier member, Witt Lowry said: “With SoundCloud Premier, I really like how I have a point of contact at SoundCloud. It feels like I’m like collaborating with SoundCloud as an artist, not just putting content on another platform.”
“SoundCloud Premier has been great. Through the program, I was connected to a campaign with Under Armour that gave me more exposure, and some coin,” says R&B soul-singer and SoundCloud Premier member, Lorine Chia. “SoundCloud is helping artists brand with big marketing campaigns and big companies, these types of opportunities to reach more people are honestly the best thing you can get from any music platform.”
Indie duo and SoundCloud Premier members, The Cathedrals said: “It feels like we have a connection to the company, the program [SoundCloud Premier] has been really amazing for all the things we're trying to do. We're self-managed and releasing music independently, so being able to work directly with people who care about music--our music--has been one of the biggest benefits of being apart of the Premier program.”
SoundCloud Premier remains invite-only, and will be rapidly expanding to include many more creators in 2018.
About SoundCloudSoundCloud is the world’s largest open audio platform, powered by a connected community of creators, listeners and curators who are on the pulse of what’s new, now and next in music and creative culture. As the home to the world’s most diverse creator community and the largest music streaming catalog available, SoundCloud lets you share, discover and influence global music culture. For more information, visit: soundcloud.com. Follow us on Twitter, Facebook, Instagram via @SoundCloud, or @SoundCloudForBrands on Twitter. www.press.soundcloud.com