How to Promote Your Music on SoundCloud

If you’re serious about growing your fanbase and getting heard, learning how to promote your music on SoundCloud is essential. With over 175 million users and a long history of launching the careers of artists like Post Malone, Billie Eilish, and XXXTentacion, SoundCloud remains one of the most powerful platforms for emerging musicians.

But uploading a track isn’t enough. With millions of songs uploaded daily, cutting through the noise takes strategy, consistency, and the right tools. Whether you’re just starting out or looking to level up your presence, this guide covers the best free and paid ways to promote your tracks on SoundCloud effectively.

Why You Should Promote Music on SoundCloud

SoundCloud isn’t just a place to host your music—it’s where many artists get discovered. While platforms like Spotify and Apple Music are more playlist-driven, SoundCloud is built for creators to connect directly with their audience and grow organically.

The SoundCloud Advantage:

• Global reach with over 175 million users
• Open platform for independent and DIY artists
• Ideal for genres like hip-hop, electronic, R&B, and underground scenes
• No upfront distributor needed to publish your music

SoundCloud Artists Who Made It Big:

• Post Malone (“White Iverson”) first gained traction on SoundCloud
• Lizzo, Billie Eilish, Lil Uzi Vert, and many others launched tracks on the platform before breaking into the mainstream

Promoting your music on SoundCloud gives you a direct connection to fans and tastemakers, and even a shot at being picked up by editorial playlists, music blogs, or record labels.

Preparing Your Profile for Promotion

Before diving into any promotional tactics, it’s critical to optimize your SoundCloud profile. Think of it as your artist storefront—if it looks unprofessional or incomplete, listeners are less likely to take your music seriously.

1. Brand Your Profile Like a Pro

• Use a high-resolution profile photo (artist photo or logo)
• Add a header image that reflects your vibe or latest release
• Use a clean, readable artist name (avoid numbers and random usernames)

2. Write a Concise Artist Bio

Keep your bio short but impactful. Focus on your genre, influences, recent releases, and where listeners can find more of your work (e.g. Bandcamp, website, tour dates).

Example: “Lo-fi producer blending ambient textures with jazzy drums. Based in Chicago. New EP out now on all platforms.”

3. Upload High-Quality Tracks

• Always use WAV/AIFF/FLAC formats for best sound quality
• Avoid uploading incomplete or demo versions unless labeled clearly

4. Tag and Describe Your Music Accurately

• First tag = main genre (important for chart placement)
• Add 2–3 supporting genre/style tags (e.g. “chillhop”, “trap soul”)
• Use descriptive track titles (avoid “track1_final_mixv4”)

5. Add Relevant Links

In your profile and track descriptions, include links to:

• Instagram, YouTube, Twitter
• Spotify / Apple Music
• Your website or merch store

A clean, well-structured profile builds trust and sets the stage for effective promotion.

Free Ways to Promote Your Tracks on SoundCloud

You don’t need a big budget to build an audience on SoundCloud. In fact, some of the most effective ways to promote your music are completely free—they just require time, consistency, and a smart strategy.

1. Repost and Interact

• Repost your tracks from other pages or ask other artists to repost for exposure
• Comment, follow, and message other creators to start real engagement
• Join SoundCloud groups and communities to expand your reach

2. Leverage Social Media

• Share your SoundCloud links on Instagram Stories, TikTok, Twitter, and YouTube
• Use short clips or behind-the-scenes content to tease new music
• Include your SoundCloud link in your bio and email signature

3. Collaborate with Other Artists

• Features, remixes, or beat swaps help introduce your music to a new audience
• Tag collaborators and credit them properly to boost visibility

4. Optimize for Search (SEO)

• Use relevant keywords in your track titles and descriptions
• Tag your genre first and use popular but accurate secondary tags
• Add a clear and specific title (e.g., “Lofi Chillhop Beat – Rainy Vibes”)

5. Offer Free Downloads or Exclusives

• Build hype by offering a limited-time free download
• Upload special versions or live edits available only on SoundCloud

These tactics are especially powerful when combined—so don’t just promote your music, actively participate in the platform’s community.

Using Promote on SoundCloud (Paid Tool)

If you’re looking to reach new fans faster, Promote on SoundCloud is the platform’s official self-serve advertising tool. It allows you to get your music featured on listener streams and homepages with targeted campaigns.

What Is Promote on SoundCloud?

• A paid feature that pushes your monetized track into more feeds
• Ideal for artists using SoundCloud Premier, Pro, or Next Pro
• Works like a mini-ad: listeners see your promoted track at the top of their homepage

How to Set Up a Campaign:

1. Choose a monetized, public track to promote
2. Name your promotion and set a budget (starts as low as $5)
3. Pick your audience with advanced targeting (genre, location, age, etc.)
4. Set the duration (start/end date)
5. Launch the campaign and track performance using SoundCloud Stats

Benefits:

• Increase track plays, reposts, and follower count
• Build momentum for new releases or tour dates
• Highly visible placement on mobile homepages and user streams

This tool is perfect for artists ready to invest a bit into growing their reach—especially if you’re already monetizing through SoundCloud.

How to Get Featured on SoundCloud Editorial Playlists

One of the most powerful ways to gain exposure is to get your track placed on a SoundCloud editorial playlist—but unlike paid promotion, this relies on quality, momentum, and timing.

What Are Editorial Playlists?

These are curated by SoundCloud’s internal team and include lists like:

• Drippin’
• Ear Candy
• Fresh Pressed

Being featured can lead to thousands of organic plays in a short time.

How to Submit Your Track:

1. You must be a SoundCloud Premier or Next Pro member
2. After monetizing your track, you’ll receive an email invite to submit to curators
3. Fill out the form with:
   • Track details (genre, mood, lyrics)
   • Marketing plans or promo timeline
   • Why this track matters

Best Practices to Increase Your Chances:

• Promote the track organically first (social media, reposts, engagement)
• Use professional artwork and metadata
• Tag your track properly (genre, location, collaborators)
• Include the story behind the track if possible (e.g., themes, message, purpose)

Getting featured isn’t guaranteed—but being strategic and persistent can get you noticed by curators over time.