Today, selling music is easier than ever all thanks to the internet and the many platforms it provides. What was once totally controlled by 
record labels is now a wide-open frontier where artists and bands can sell their own music directly to the public. While touring is still far and away the best method to make money, selling music online offers you a method to make a little money and market your songs.
All you need to start with is the music that you have recorded. Preferably it is saved as digital files such as MP3 for example so that anyone who buys them can play it on their devices. If you have recorded your songs and have them saved digitally, you can start on the path to making money selling your music.
Set Up an eCommerce Site & Sign Up for an Apple-Approved Aggregator like Music Launch Pad
The eCommerce site itself is fairly easy to set up all things considered. This is how you or your band will be presented to the public. It needs to be clean, attractive, easy to navigate, and provide information on tours, upcoming music releases and events and so forth.
Selling your music properly will require the services of an Apple-approved aggregator that will allow it to be sold on popular sites such as iTunes. You will be charged a nominal fee and your digital files must be aligned with the requirements of Apple’s specifications. However, they will provide you with ISRCs and UPCs so that your music can be distributed across more than a single channel. So, while an iTunes aggregator makes it easier to sell your music, it does come with a price.
YouTube & SoundCloud
Of course, iTunes is not the only platform for selling music. You can also promote your songs on places like YouTube and SoundCloud that offer a powerful way of reaching millions of people around the world. You can also expand where you sell your music on Google Play Music, eMusic, and a myriad of other locations on the web.
The good news is that the aggregator you use may post your music in different stores apart from just iTunes. You can use Awal for example which can help sell you music with more than 200 different services all for a 15% cut in what is sold. However, keep in mind that not all sites will accept your music, particularly if you are unknown to them.
Music Distribution
You may want to look at special music distribution sites such as Ditto Music which will charge a one-time fee and then place your songs at all major stores that offer digital music. Plus, places like Spotify and Rdio can also host your music through the services of Ditto Music.
Of course, you can always distribute your music the old fashioned way through the physical medium of CDs. There is CD Baby which offers this form of selling music, but it’s not cheap as you have to pay an upfront fee and $4 per disc sold regardless of the price that you charge.
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