
How to upload your music to SoundCloud platform
Music sharing as well as social media have given birth to completely new genres. As a result it gave a chance to many fresh musicians around the world to launch their careers. With a free SoundCloud account practically anyone can download up to 3 hours of music without any payments. However, SoundCloud’s paid Pro Unlimited account will give you unlimited access to downloading tracks.
Just imagine: you are allowed to download MP3 files or formats with no loss in quality such as FLAC, WAV, ALAC and AIFF. So that you could ensure the best sound quality for your tracks. The files could be up to 4 GB in size each.
It’s interesting that you can set the uploaded tracks with a Private label. Consequently, only you and those with the access to the link can enjoy the track. This is a great idea for sharing demos with potential labels or collaborators.
What is Soundcloud?
SoundCloud is an online platform for audio distribution and music sharing website that allows you to download, promote and share audio files. By the way, if you are a Soundcloud Go + user, you are welcome to download tracks from the platform uploaded by other users.
This Swedish platform for sharing music was launched in 2007 with around 200 million monthly active users. It sounds unreal but it has helped a lot of performers to jump-start their music careers and experience fame.
In this article, we are about to explain to you how to upload a track to SoundCloud both from your computer and mobile app just in a few easy-peasy steps. In addition, we will make a list of tips for you to remember. So that you could easily use it for publishing your music on SoundCloud
How to post music on Soundcloud from a computer
First of all, sign in to your SoundCloud account in any browser on your PC or laptop. Then follow these steps:
- Click the Download tab at the right corner of the search box at the top of the screen.
- On the next window, you can drag and drop the music file or just click the “Or select files to upload” button. This will open a file manager on your PC, where you will select the track you want to be uploaded to Soundcloud platform.
- On the next window, you need to enter necessary information for your track. It includes title, genre, tags, description and privacy features of the track – you will find it all at the “Basic Information” tab.
You can tag this track either private or public. If you set it to public privacy, then everyone can find and listen to it. However, the private setting allows only you and those with the access to the link to listen to it.
If you want you can add information about the artist, publisher, composer in the “Metadata” tab. Also here you can set a link in case someone wants to buy a track, its license type and release date.
In the “Permissions” tab, you can allow or prohibit direct downloads, permission for offline listening, playing apps or displaying the embed code. Furthermore, it’s up to you to decide whether you want to include it in the RSS channel or not. After you have finished the adding process of the above mentioned details, click the “Save” button in the bottom right corner.
Your track will be loaded, you can go to your track and listen to it by clicking on the “Go to your track” link under the track information. You can also share a track with your friends on Twitter, Facebook or Tumblr by clicking the corresponding icons next to the track name, and you can copy the link to share with your friends.
How to post music on Soundcloud from your smartphone
First of all, install the app from the Apple App Store or Google Play Market. After that do the following:
- At the home window, tap the up arrow in the upper right corner.
- Click OK.
- Find an audio file on your phone or on the Cloud.
- Add necessary metadata such as album cover, genre, title and description if needed. The more details you fill in the gaps, the more likely your track will be found by other users.
- Click “Save” in the upper right corner as soon as your track is fully uploaded.
- After processing, your track will be available for public listening.
What’s the best time to post music to SoundCloud?
Actually, the best time to post any pieces to Soundcloud is around 10 AM. However this will depend only on your location. Be aware, you have to post while your audience is online.
Be advised that most people visit their online accounts to search for music in the evenings after a hard working day. Some people are online early in the morning before going to work. Others surf on the net during their lunch break. In fact, it will depend on the preference of the person. Thus, consider all of these factors before posting.
Due to statistics, the best time to post to Soundcloud is Sunday around 10 o’clock in the morning. It is obvious that the majority of people have a day off on Sunday. So they will boom the spike of active users.
What to do if you missed the most appropriate time to upload your music? Do not get upset. The experienced artists consider 2 pm and 7 pm to be at the second place as most active time on weekdays.
Crucial Tips Before Uploading Tracks
Upload exclusively perfect tracks
Get rid of uploading unfinished tracks (not taking into consideration the cases when you want to share some demo or sketches with your audience for feedback). Before uploading you have to make sure the track is perfect. Bear in mind that your tracks will be the basis for listeners’ opinion formation about whether to keep listening to your music or not.
Avoid publishing all your tracks at once
It is better if you post one or two music pieces at a time to be truly appreciated. The next important step you have to do is increase the visibility of your music once you have uploaded your music tracks.
How to increase the visibility of your music?
Interact with other users
If you want your music tracks to become more popular, you have to be active. Interacting with other members of the platform will help you to expand your network. For example, you can do this by commenting on a track that you really like. Try to be frank with your compliments. But please, don’t put down one short line. It is better to write a fair amount of comments about the track and it is highly important not to overplay it.
Respond to the comments on your track
Don’t ignore comments;. You have to respond with a well thought out answer. Mind, these commentators are your potential fans, so be kind to treat them well. On the other hand, even if they are not to become your devoted fans, it is essential that you conduct them with respect and sincerity.
Avoid sending spam
Don’t spam other users. You are definitely not willing your account to be spammed, so don’t do it with others. It is better to follow the golden ethics rule when interacting on any website: all the world loves a lover.
Conclusion
So, if you are one of the fresh-made artists, you have to use Soundcloud for sure. However, just publishing music to Soundcloud is not enough. Remember, that it is also important that you post your tracks while your potential audience is online. You need to get as many listeners as possible to increase your popularity.
If you are a beginner and you still are not the owner of your personal tracks , it is also not a problem. Use a store of ready-made music pieces from ghost producers, get full rights to a track and publish on Soundcloud under your own name. Keep in mind the marketing, it will be very difficult for you to grow without it. Soundcloud gives you an opportunity to promote your music. So use this chance and your popularity will start to grow.