Best Platforms Where Indie Artists Should Upload Their Music

Admit it or not, independent artists, or indie artists, have become a big part of the music industry. And unlike many years ago when any aspiring music artist needs to have a major label to become famous, this generation is completely different. The internet has influenced this change in the music industry, and of course, music fans are loving it – because now, we’re not confined or limited to hearing songs from big producers and mainstream artists. With indie artists getting the recognition they deserve, the industry has become more exciting than ever.

If you’re reading this, it’s safe to say that you want to put your music out there to be heard by many people – and the best way to do that right now is through streaming services. However, we know that it’s completely challenging to compete with established artists like Taylor Swift, Justin Bieber, Billie Eilish, Doja Cat, and many more. So, the first step is choosing the right platform where you can upload your music.

• Soundcloud

Soundcloud remains to be the top platform for music artists, especially those who are just starting out. It is filled with up-and-coming artists who want to be heard by millions of people. There are actually a lot of popular music artists that started on Soundcloud, such as Kehlani, Post Malone, Kygo, Lil Yachty, and Lil Nas X. If you’re planning to upload your songs on this platform, you can do so for free for up to 20 hours. But if you want unlimited uploads and promotions, you have to subscribe to the Next Pro for $8.25 per month or $99 per year. 

• YouTube

Of course, YouTube is second on our list simply because over 100 million people go on this platform every single day. However, what works for most artists is by covering popular songs just enough to get noticed. Once they get enough following, they start uploading their original music. Many popular artists we know today have done this strategy, especially those who started on YouTube many years ago. 

Since YouTube is a video platform, everything you upload needs to have visual content. It could be a video of you singing, a lyric video, or an animation – whatever floats your boat basically. However, when you upload a video file, it requires more bandwidth than the usual MP3 or WAV file, which means you need fast internet services when uploading. 

• Spotify

Spotify is another great platform for indie artists because it’s actually friendly for new artists. Aside from its massive user base, they’re actually about discovery so even small artists get recognition. Its algorithm is also exceptional (we’ve been a Spotify user for years, so trust us on this.), which can help you get noticed much easier by people who are likely interested in your music. You can also get paid through royalties, but it depends on different factors so there’s no exact figure. 

And despite the recent Spotify price hike, at least 600 million people use the platform every day, so it’s really great for indie artists who are just starting out. Uploading music on Spotify is relatively easy, although you need a reliable connection – regardless if it’s,  satellite, DSL, cable, or fiber internet.

• Social Media Platforms

Facebook, Instagram, and TikTok are three social media giants that are great platforms to make your music go viral. It’s not an easy thing to do because you’re competing with a lot of different content. But once a video with your music in it goes viral, well, you’ve hit the jackpot. Suddenly, you’re gaining thousands, maybe even millions of followers. Your song is everywhere, and people are asking for more. This sudden fame can actually lead you to success. If you have enough budget, you can even hire a social media marketing manager to help you. 

The Bottom Line

More and more people are appreciating indie music, which means there is still a big growth awaiting the industry. It’s an exciting time for indie artists, and we can’t wait to discover new music and artists. The internet has surely leveled the playing field for newcomers and established artists, so if you’re starting to get discouraged, don’t be. Give these platforms a try, strategize, do your best, and have a lot of fun.