This is an add on to my last article. I am making this guide for artists who still haven’t figured out the game. If you are counting on one revenue stream, you aren’t going to make it, I’m sorry, that’s just the reality. You can’t put all your eggs into one basket, and you sure as shit have to make sure you own at least one of the baskets.

You need to think of the internet as a catalog, or magazine. Sears doesn’t get paid for people looking at their catalog, they get paid when someone orders something. You need to have a store and other options in which your supporters can support you.

Use social media platforms and music platforms as free advertising funnels leading to your purchasing platforms.

1. Spotify Is a Tool, Not a Full Revenue Model

  • Spotify is a discovery platform rather than a primary income source for most artists. For emerging or mid-level musicians, the goal is often to use Spotify to build an audience rather than to rely on it for substantial income.
  • Artists who aren’t “Drakes” should view streaming as a way to gain visibility and supplement their income through other avenues like merchandise, concerts, and direct fan support.

2. Market Realities

  • Not every artist will achieve massive streaming success, and that’s okay. The vast majority of streams go to a small percentage of artists (e.g., the top 1% dominate). This mirrors other industries where the “big players” capture most of the market share.
  • For smaller artists, the focus should be on niche audiences and alternative income streams rather than expecting Spotify to make them wealthy.

3. Entitlement vs. Reality

  • Some artists may feel they deserve higher payouts for their creative work—and that’s a fair sentiment. However, market dynamics don’t always align with artistic expectations. If fans stream instead of purchasing albums, the per-stream revenue will inevitably be lower.
  • Accepting this reality means adapting rather than fighting the system.

4. Spotify Is Not the Only Income Source

  • Successful independent artists diversify their income with:
    • Merchandise sales.
    • Live performances.
    • Crowdfunding platforms like Patreon.
    • Direct sales on platforms like Bandcamp.
  • If Spotify isn’t providing substantial income, they can pivot to revenue streams that offer better margins.

5. Artists Still Have Options

  • If an artist feels Spotify doesn’t work for them, they’re not forced to use it. Platforms like Bandcamp, Tidal, and even YouTube allow for alternative revenue models, albeit with a smaller audience. Some artists have successfully used these platforms to cultivate loyal fanbases willing to pay more directly.

The “Take It on the Chin” Perspective

  • For most artists, Spotify is not the villain—it’s simply the current reality of the music industry. Complaining about it without adapting is unlikely to change anything.
  • Instead, artists should see Spotify as part of a larger strategy, not the endgame. If they aren’t achieving “Drake-level” success, they need to focus on building their brand, engaging with fans, and finding revenue streams that work for them.

Final Thought

Yes, smaller artists who aren’t making “big bucks” might need to accept that Spotify isn’t a gold mine for them. Instead of focusing on what Spotify doesn’t provide, they could focus on leveraging the platform to grow their audience and use that growth to succeed in other areas. This pragmatic approach can lead to sustainable careers, even without “Drake-level” earnings.