Post ATVzdymK7fxJePT4T2 by dgar@aus.social
 (DIR) More posts by dgar@aus.social
 (DIR) Post #ATVzdup0pjjJNahA6S by dgar@aus.social
       2023-03-11T03:58:05Z
       
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       I had been writing and playing my own songs since the early ‘90s, and the influences of the time are probably fairly apparent in my music.Pre-Internet, computers were for Doom deathmatches and Formula One simulations, not for listening to or sharing music. There were BBS systems one could dial into, but that was for porn, mostly, much like the Internet when it came along.After Microsoft assaulted me with Vista and inspired me to buy a Mac, introducing me to GarageBand and a functional operating system and work environment, I decided I’d record and publish my music, if only to get a copy stored in a way that it would be safe from my own poor data storage practices.After much research and watching of YouTube videos, I narrowed my publishing choices down to BandCamp or Soundcloud. The two platforms definitely approach things differently, but it was the hard-sell approach of BandCamp that turned me to Soundcloud. While my Soundcloud profile shows my latest or most popular tracks, displaying my artwork, and recommending other similar artists, it seemed to me that the average BandCamp profile was screaming “buy my physical media and merch”. I wanted to be about the music, not the money.1/2
       
 (DIR) Post #ATVzdvLcsTol0jxCwC by dgar@aus.social
       2023-03-11T04:10:08Z
       
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       That said, I’ve sometimes felt a pang of regret for not going with BandCamp, usually when I’m struggling for money. The doubts surrounding my choice are amplified here on Mastodon, where the majority of artists seem to have gone with BandCamp, and celebrate a BandCamp sponsored BandCamp Friday afternoon in which artists can make more money than usual.  But then, I don’t want to make music with money being the goal. I just want to make music that I enjoy. So here I am, on Soundcloud, standing by my decision. They treat me pretty good. These have been the ramblings of Dgar. Please pay no notice. Also, I am not casting shade on BandCamp users, just justifying what sometimes seems like a bad decision to myself.2/2
       
 (DIR) Post #ATVzdvwqe5aksBMvxI by mostlylurking@mas.to
       2023-03-11T04:57:21Z
       
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       @dgar I just wish there was some way to give 100% of the money to the artist digitally.
       
 (DIR) Post #ATVzdwVwXbfGd1mxeq by dgar@aus.social
       2023-03-11T05:02:18Z
       
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       @mostlylurking Like a PayPal link?
       
 (DIR) Post #ATVzdxPxBMT3Qjzgxc by mostlylurking@mas.to
       2023-03-11T05:03:19Z
       
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       @dgar That's a decent idea come to think of it. I don't know the first thing about how paypal works but going direct through a payment processor has got to have less fees i would imagine.
       
 (DIR) Post #ATVzdxtNPy0GtzlBp2 by howlinhobbit@mstdn.social
       2023-03-11T14:42:13Z
       
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       @dgar @mostlylurkingall numbers are in $US. YMMVPaypal takes a significant bite. Soundcloud pays less than a penny per stream. so after 1000 streams you’ll earn between $2.50 and $4.00.but wait! they won’t send any money until your total equals or is greater than $5.00.oh, hang on! they’re also a “net 60,” which means they won’t send your payment for 60 days.#NotASoundcloudFan
       
 (DIR) Post #ATVzdymK7fxJePT4T2 by dgar@aus.social
       2023-03-11T15:14:40Z
       
       0 likes, 1 repeats
       
       @howlinhobbit @mostlylurking It’s lucky money isn’t my aim huh? 😊In my three years on Soundcloud I’ve had one single US$5 payout. Everyone is making money except the people making the product. 🤷