From the official blog:<p>> At the Premier partner level, creators will have the opportunity to make money from their tracks through advertising.[...] Every time you see or hear an ad, an artist gets paid.<p><a href="http://blog.soundcloud.com/2014/08/21/introducing-on-soundcloud/" rel="nofollow">http://blog.soundcloud.com/2014/08/21/introducing-on-soundcl...</a><p>This is huge: Soundcloud has a way better connection to artists/labels than Spotify or Rdio -- which means that the best content will be on Soundlcoud first.<p>Given that users follow the content, I think it is safe to suggest that Soundcloud will be bigger than Spotify in a few years.
I've just spent £35 to renew my pro subscription. If this means people are less likely to come and listen to my music, being bombarded with adverts on a page that I have paid for, I will be most displeased. I'll have to stop wearing my soundcloud tshirt to raves for a start, or everyone will be looking at me like like I'm about to sell them something.<p>Bandcamp, anyone?
I've slowly been shifting my music listening from Spotify to Soundcloud.<p>Music discovery on Soundcloud is much easier, thanks to its news feed. With Spotify, I usually end up digging through "related artists" for artists I already like--which can be effective, but is also time consuming. With Soundcloud, I can follow a few record labels, and discover lots of new music, easily.<p>Because of this, Soundcloud serves as a great platform for trending music. A song can be posted there and spread solely within the site, without much outside help, thanks both to the liking/reposting of songs and Soundcloud's "trending" section. With Spotify, you either have to already follow the artist or hope one of your Facebook friends is listening.<p>Which is another advantage of Soundcloud--it's nearly impossible to find other users with the same tastes. In essence, you're limited to Facebook friends.
I'm not sure this model will work like it did with Youtube. You don't put Youtube on in the background/at a party while friends are over. You sit down and watch a video (hence you're willing to sit through an advertisement). Music streaming that is broken up by advertisements is why people dislike radio and are moving to online services.<p>The reason artists like Soundcloud is it gives a way to distribute music directly to the fans for free. Anything that gets in the way of that (e.g. ads) is a step in the wrong direction. Instead of attempting to monetize ears/eyes, I'd instead suggest for a premium subscription for artists that gives them enhanced tools to monitor/distribute/track/etc. their music on the platform.
Their website and apps are really bad....but what keeps me coming back is the incredible incredible content. I've found so many great remixes as well as obscure but extremely talented musicians on Soundcloud. It's amazing.<p>The site/apps and just general design really are embarrassing though. I hope they're doing something about it.<p>I guess this is one case where content really does make up for a shoddy product. I'd be interested to know the story behind their growth and how they managed to create the community of content creators. I'm sure at least a part of it is lack of a better alternative but I'm sure there's some secret sauce in there somewhere.
This is really interesting:<p><a href="http://thisisadynasty.tumblr.com/post/87945465547/brb-deleting-soundcloud" rel="nofollow">http://thisisadynasty.tumblr.com/post/87945465547/brb-deleti...</a><p><i>But it’s more than advertising. It’s sharing. If a person likes one song, then you know what’s likely to happen? They’ll press the download arrow and own it for free. You won’t believe what happens next! They become familiar with the artist, and seek out other material. Maybe they buy that. Maybe they talk about it online. Maybe they go to a show. Maybe they simply become a fan and tell a friend.<p>I’m cool with that. The labels should be too. It’s exactly what they’re trying to accomplish by funneling endless money for Facebook Likes, Twitter trending hashtags, and totally ridiculous impotent advertising campaigns. Let the people have the music. Or, to put it in language that makes more sense for the ones who can only speak dollar bill - Free the music, and your cash will follow.</i><p><a href="https://twitter.com/kaskade/statuses/474230686778290177" rel="nofollow">https://twitter.com/kaskade/statuses/474230686778290177</a><p><i>Yes, so I will move forward with constructing my own portal where I can share what I like when I like.</i><p>I wonder if there is a play here to make an artist standalone site that looks and acts like SoundCloud, make it easy to deploy using SandStorm and voila!
Soundcloud already has a pro plan which I see a lot of artists using. Why do they need ads? Do you they not already make enough money?<p>It's not the specifics of what is being proposed here that bothers me. But something about this makes me feel that this will be soundclouds downfall. I don't want to be soundclouds product. I want soundcloud to be the product. I would happily pay for their service (providing they don't go down this route).<p>(I'm a bedroom producer that uploads to soundcloud, considering a pro plan)
The problem I see is that since Soundcloud continues playing after each track, those with ads are going to get some kind of preference in the queue.<p>This may not be the case, but I am guessing that I am going to start hearing ads even tho I don't typically follow anyone who would put ads on their music.
> There are so many D.J. mixes, mash-ups and other hybrid works, shared and remixed so frequently, that appropriate licensing terms have not yet been fully worked out<p>Hopefully these terms are published <i>while</i> being worked out.
I would happily pay for soundcloud, however I will stop using the service entirely if I start hearing ads.<p>I don't care how good the music is. If I'm grooving and hear an ad for redbull, the mood is lost.
Same link, no paywall:
<a href="http://www.nytimes.com/2014/08/21/business/media/popular-and-free-soundcloud-is-now-ready-for-ads.html?partner=rss&emc=rss" rel="nofollow">http://www.nytimes.com/2014/08/21/business/media/popular-and...</a>