SoundCloud’s new store is changing the merch landscape for artists, who all-too-often suffer financial losses when hidden fees cut into their profits.
A selection of SoundCloud Next Pro artists now have the opportunity to sell exclusive merchandise while keeping 100% of their profits, the company announced this week. The shop, which is currently in beta, eschews all inventory and storage fees as well as upfront and hidden costs so artists can design and sell exclusive merchandise, retaining 100% of the profits.
How does it work? Artists send their merch designs to the SoundCloud Store to be mocked up, manufactured and sold. Each item, from apparel to exclusive vinyl and accessories and more, is made-to-order with immediate shipping, per SoundCloud.
Artists also retain their merch rights with the ability to sell merch elsewhere, but within the Soundcloud Store, their products remain exclusive only during the drop. Plus, fans are notified when merch drops via emails and in-app notifications.
“Our data shows that fans are most engaged when you release a new track,” per SoundCloud. “By dropping merch with SoundCloud, we’ll help amplify the reach of your latest release and promote merch to your fanbase when they’re most engaged, all using our in-house notification capabilities.”
A select few artists currently have merch available via the new SoundCloud Store, including Wiz Khalifa and Denzel Curry, among others.
Next Pro artists can now apply to sell their merch. You can shop the SoundCloud Store and find out more here.
