How to boost merch sales on Spotify
If you’re an independent artist looking to boost revenue, why not sell your music merch on Spotify?
As an independent artist, your revenue streams rely on much more than just streaming income alone. Selling merch is a crucial way to boost earnings, and Spotify offers a prime opportunity to sell directly to your listeners.
With fans already engaging with your music on the platform, integrating merch into your Spotify profile is an efficient way to capitalise on their attention and interest.
Why is merch such a big deal?
If you’re thinking, “I’m a musician, not a fashion retailer”, then you need to know how much of a difference selling merch can make to you. You don’t need to be a clothing designer, by any stretch, to create sellable merch for your music. Merch doesn’t need to be wearable, but even if it is, there are simple ways to produce it. The thing you should be concerning yourself with is offering it and selling it!
Merchandise isn’t just about extra income; it’s a way to build a stronger connection with your audience. Whether it’s physical formats like vinyl, limited edition T-shirts, or unique items like signed posters, your fans want something tangible that represents their support for you. According to industry trends, listeners who pay for premium streaming services are more likely to purchase physical merchandise, such as CDs or vinyl. This makes Spotify a perfect place to showcase your offerings.
Steps to set up your merch on Spotify
Before you can start selling your very own merchandise to loyal fans on Spotify, you’ll need to get set up. There are a few steps involved, and we can take you through the whole process.
- Get verified on Spotify – You’ll need to get verified with a Spotify for Artists account. This can be done easily and will give you access to valuable tools that enable you to customise and manage your presence. Find out everything you need to know about Spotify for Artists here.
- Create a Shopify account – To sell merch on Spotify, you need to use Shopify. If you don’t have a Shopify account, the good news is that Shopify offers affordable starter plans. Even if you’re new to e-commerce, setting up your store is straightforward. You’ll need to upload your product images, set quantities, sizes, and pricing before you can connect your store to Spotify.
- Link your Shopify store to Spotify – Once your Shopify store is up and running, the next step is to connect it to your Spotify profile. Through the Spotify for Artists dashboard, you can connect your Shopify through the Merch button. Alternatively, you can add the URL of your Shopify store. This video guides you through the simple process.
How to manage your merch and look after your store
You’ve been shopping before. It’s a nicer experience when the store is thoughtfully organised and beautifully presented. You probably feel much more inclined to purchase something from a well looked after store like this, right? With this in mind, we’ve got some pointers to help you keep your merch store organised and appealing.
Organise and feature your products
With the Shopify and Spotify integration complete, you can now curate how your merch appears on your artist profile. Spotify allows you to pin featured products to the top of your merch store, giving your fans easy access to your most important or newly released items. You can manually arrange the display to ensure your latest or best-selling items get the most visibility.
Keep your inventory updated
Spotify automatically removes items that are out of stock, so it’s important to keep your Shopify inventory accurate. When you add new products to your Shopify store, be sure to sync them to Spotify. This keeps your store looking fresh and up to date.
Utilise the “Artist Pick” feature
To give an extra boost to your merchandise, take advantage of Spotify’s ‘Artist Pick’ feature. This allows you to highlight specific merch items, such as a new release or a limited edition product, at the very top of your artist profile. It’s a great way to draw attention to a product you want fans to focus on.
How to maximise your merch’s potential
Now that your merch is available on Spotify for fans to buy, it’s time to make the most of it. Consider offering exclusive products that fans can only buy through Spotify, such as limited runs or autographed records. You can also promote your Spotify store on social media, encouraging your followers to check out your profile and grab some merch while they listen to your latest release or their favourites from your back catalogue.
Spotify also integrates well with other platforms like Instagram and Facebook, so your Shopify store can be linked across multiple channels, driving more traffic to your store.
Summing Up
Selling merch on Spotify is a no-brainer for independent artists looking to maximise their revenue and engage more meaningfully with their fans. With Spotify’s merch integration powered by Shopify, setting up your store is quick, and managing it is easy. From highlighting new releases to offering exclusive products, Spotify gives you a comprehensive platform to boost your sales and grow your brand.
Whether you’re new to selling merch or already have an online store, getting your products onto Spotify is worth the time and effort. With fans eager to support their favourite artists, making your merch available where they listen is a win-win. Now’s the perfect time to start selling more merch and boosting your music revenue!