SoundCloud is helping artists sell vinyl without any upfront costs
Thanks to a new partnership with elasticStage, SoundCloud is helping indie artists release vinyl without the cost or risk.
Vinyl is booming, but indie artists have been left behind
For many artists, physical merch like vinyl offer a tangible way to connect with fans while also creating additional income. Fans love vinyl. It’s nostalgic, collectible and something that just seems cool- with reports suggesting 50% of vinyl record buyers do not even own a record player.
Despite vinyl seeing a resurgence in recent years, many independent artists simply cannot cash in. Why? Because producing vinyl is expensive, and risky for smaller artists. Costs can run high, and artists often have to pay upfront with no guarantee of sales.
That’s where SoundCloud’s new partnership with elasticStage comes in.
“Vinyl sales have surged over 300% since 2016, yet most independent artists have been excluded from this growth due to high manufacturing costs and logistical limitations… This partnership is another step toward ensuring that every artist- no matter where they are in their career- has the tools to build a sustainable career.”
Eliah Seton, SoundCloud CEO
Here’s how it works
The SoundCloud x elasticStage partnership is only available to SoundCloud’s Artist Pro users. Here’s what the process looks like:
- Get approved: Artist Pro users can apply to join the waitlist for approval e.g., whether your account is in good standing.
- Build your release: Pick your tracks from SoundCloud, upload artwork, add credits, and submit for review.
- Start selling: Once approved, SoundCloud will create a vinyl web page for you, where fans can purchase your vinyl directly
- Easy distribution: Each vinyl will be released and shipped by elasticStage. Shipping is available to over 90 countries, and elasticStage handles all the logistics including customer service.
elasticStage’s innovative model means that each vinyl is made to order. This means no minimum order requirements, no upfront costs, and no waste. Simply create your vinyl, and get paid per sale.
“We created elasticStage’s on-demand vinyl technology to make physical music as accessible as streaming for artists and music fans everywhere.”
Steve Rhodes, elasticStage and Co-Founder
Final thoughts
With SoundCloud and elasticStage’s new on-demand model, independent artists finally have a way to bring their music to fans in a physical format without the risk of breaking the bank.
If you’re on SoundCloud, this could be a great time to explore Artist Pro. Adding vinyl to your merch offering could unlock a whole new revenue stream- with no upfront risk. And if you’re already an Artist Pro user, get on that waitlist. Your fans might just be waiting to spin your record.