5 Simple Ways to Get More SoundCloud Plays

 

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1. Get your SoundCloud profile looking right

The first step in getting more SoundCloud plays is all about your look. Your SoundCloud profile needs to have a great looking profile that instantly says to people “Hello, this is our band and we’re ready to melt your hearts/faces off/preconceived ideas of modern living.” Here’s a great example from Migos:

Here are the ‘looks’ that you’ll want to look into to start getting more SoundCloud plays, and that Migos is doing above:

• An ideally sized profile image will be 300 x 300 pixels – SoundCloud will scale it down to 200 x 200. Resize your best image so it fits this without being stretched. Try to make the image something that people will recognize instantly – faces of band members, or the recent album cover – so you start building recognition.
• Upgrade to a Pro or Unlimited plan so that you can add a header image. You can be a bit more playful with this image if you have a good profile image already. Musicians frequently use this to talk about their recent album, and where are you can get it. Keep the text near the center as this image adjusts to screen size and can cut off the right edges of the image on small screens.
• Availability of your music: You can see above how Migos lets people know the name of his new album, the fact that it is now out, and platforms on which you may purchase it. Take advantage of every opportunity to push people towards purchasing your music.
• Your username and URL is another ‘look’ that needs to be right. If people look at your username or URL and think you’re someone else, you’re not looking right at all. These two can be changed separately later on from the settings page, but you should plan to get them right from the beginning. Try to match your username from Twitter or other social platforms so that things look like they line up.

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2. Links, Links, LINKS

Go into the Advanced Settings tab and start adding links to your:

• Twitter
• Facebook
• Google+
• Pinterest
• Tumblr

This helps you in your goal of getting more SoundCloud plays by capturing potential new fans in as many ways as possible. Maybe they don’t want to follow you on SoundCloud, but if they dig your tracks they will follow you on one of the above social platforms to listen to you again. You can see an example from Big Sean above. They are displayed prominently on the right hand side of your profile.

Don’t forget a link to your label and personal website as well. These don’t do so much for getting more SoundCloud plays, but they help increase people’s understanding of where you fit into the music world.

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3. Use Spotlight to shine a spotlight on your new track

You followed my advice above and upgraded your account, right? Good, I love being listened to as much as your band loves being listened to. *Insert canned laughter*

When you have a Pro or Unlimited account with SoundCloud you’re able to get more SoundCloud plays due to how your newest tracks and Playlists appear at the top of your profile. This is known as the Spotlight feature.

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4. Start getting social

No, I’m not talking about being the obnoxious guy who goes onto other people’s tracks and says half-hearted “this song is great, it sounds like ours so follow us!” because no one wants to sign that guy to a record deal.

You’ll start getting more SoundCloud plays when you follow other artists, genuinely engage with them (collabo time, anyone?), follow your label and chime in when they mention your band or a tour you’re involved with, and connect with your fans.

This last point, about talking with your fans, is an essential when you first start on SoundCloud. When you get BIG they’ll understand if you don’t write back to every comment. But they’ll never forget when you wrote to them back when you were still struggling. Do this on every platform. Fans notice this, as is evident from the @TaylorNoticed account on Instagram:

Being social on social media is a key tactic for musicians that you cannot forget.

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5. Give Your Post a Paid Boost

Although getting your post featured on a Channel is awesome, it isn’t enough. You need to help your post go red hot.

After your content gets attached to the channel, you need to quickly drive lots of traffic to it. This will help push your post to top of channel, as opposed to being just listed on the channel in fifth position (or wherever it ends up being shown).

You have to get to the top spot. How?

Spend a few bucks (no more than $50) on Facebook and Twitter promoted posts. This will help quickly drive lots of traffic to your LinkedIn post.