Music streaming service SoundCloud has launched a merchandise marketplace called the SoundCloud Store, which not only sells SoundCloud-themed items but also serves as a service for artists to present their own designs.
The store's first wave features designs from Wiz Khalifa, Denzel Curry, wolfacejoeyy, Bktherula and Armani White, and the company has also partnered with select artists on SoundCloud's paid service for artists, Next Pro, to allow them to submit their own designs.
According to SoundCloud, artists submit designs, and the company creates mockups, produces merchandise, and lists the products in the SoundCloud store. Additionally, the company also handles fan engagement and social promotion of the products. Currently, the service does not take any commission from artists, and 100% of the profits from sales go to the company.
Social platforms are keen to give artists and creators the means to sell merchandise and make money. Both Spotify and Amazon Music offer merch sales to artists. Spotify has tools that allow artists to host a merchandise catalogue on their page, and Amazon Music has partnered with Bandsintown to offer a similar service.
Meanwhile, TikTok and YouTube have tools that allow creators to tag products in their videos and earn revenue through an affiliate sales system.
SoundCloud said the store will be open to fans in the United States, Canada and Europe at launch.
Over the last year, the company has rolled out a variety of tools to help artists increase fan engagement, including analytics features to understand their listenership and the ability to reach out directly to fans.