I thought people were mostly streaming now but maybe I'm wrong...
It comes down to building and having a following.
Bandcamp has paid me a few years' rent for sure.
I forget when I started but I've had it way over 10 years, maybe 15.
I've been making music since 1992 so selling music and having a marketplace for it has always been essential for me and I have never prioritized streaming or promoting it more than paid avenues.
And before you ask: http://fanu.bandcamp.com
If you just started, it's a bit different of course, but whatever you actively promote is where ppl will go.
That's when I see ppl only promote Spotify and then whine about not getting paid, I'm like, yyyyeahh, see that's where the problem is: if you're only promoting free streaming, that's where you strategy sucks.
Also if you've only been promoting streaming and then switch to Bandcamp, that may not work that well either because if your fans grow up with the vibe that your music is free, it may be hard to start telling them at some point that hey, it used to be free, but now it's not.
But it's a generational thing to an extent, I think. I'm 44 and a lot of my followers are 30-40 yo, and that generation grew up paying for music. I guess youngsters don't pay, and they mostly stream (correct me if I'm wrong – I hope I am wrong!)
It kills me seeing ppl only promote streaming for their release – and I know of course it's because they don't know of better alternatives. But Spotify is a race to the bottom for many.
I mix+master for my living, and sometimes the release format etc comes up and especially younger ppl may say they only release thru Spotify/streaming and need the version for that, and I'd like to get my lecture on and say don't go free streaming only.
(It's not part of my job to lecture ppl about that in my work, but I'd wish to say it every time.)
So start with Bandcamp as early as you can!
When my last album came out last year, I think it sold around 200 copies on Bandcamp, and it costs 10 EUR
(this is a rough figure)...so it's def some beer money there.
If labels run the label page for Bandcamp, they can link your release, so the release shows up on their page and yours, so both their and your followers get the notification (payments for that release on your page go to label).
⚠️ TIP! ⚠️
You can have a free release on Bandcamp, but people can "pay" with their email address. That email list can be exported and used for free email marketing with email services such as Mailchimp.
Also, whenever you release something thru Bandcamp, ppl who have got something from you will get a notification about it. Also, you can use the free Bandcamp app to msg your followers and fans.
Bandcamp rules!
Fanu! Love your tunes 🔥🥁🤘
Thanks duuude :-)