SoundCloud is launching a new tool called “Fans” that allows artists to access granular user data and directly message their most engaged listeners.
The tool is currently in beta and is available to 10,000 artists. SoundCloud plans to open it up to more artists in the future.
With Fans, artists can:
- Identify and connect with their superfans: Fans allows artists to see who their most engaged listeners are based on factors like comments, listening behavior, sharing habits, and location. Artists can then use this information to reach out to their superfans directly and build relationships with them.
- Promote upcoming releases: Fans allows artists to share previews of upcoming releases with their fans directly. This is a great way to generate excitement and buzz for new music.
- Sell tickets and merch: Fans allows artists to sell tickets and merch directly to their fans. This is a great way to generate revenue and connect with fans on a deeper level.
- Say thanks: Fans allows artists to send personal messages of thanks to their fans. This is a great way to show your appreciation for your supporters.
Fans is part of SoundCloud’s effort to differentiate itself from other streaming services and become a more artist-friendly platform. The company says that other streaming services don’t allow artists to identify their individual fans or connect with them one-on-one.
SoundCloud has over 320 million tracks from over 40 million creators and operates in 193 countries.