Now you can promote merch by way of DistroKid’s new direct-to-fan platform – and maintain 100% of your earnings

DistroKid has launched a brand new direct-to-fan platform that lets unbiased artists create an internet retailer to promote their merch. The very best half? You get to maintain 100% of your earnings.

The brand new platform, aptly named Direct, is built-in inside DistroKid, so in case you already use the service to distribute your music to streaming companies and social media, there’s no arrange wanted. The characteristic is at the moment rolling out in beta to pick artists, with a wider launch resulting from arrive within the coming weeks.

At launch, Direct enables you to flip album or single art work into customized T-shirts, tote baggage, and mugs, produced on demand and shipped mechanically to your followers around the globe. Not solely do you retain all of your gross sales, however you possibly can set your individual costs too.

Direct is accessible to DistroKid artists for underneath $6 per 30 days, and it’s constructed on expertise infrastructure developed by Bandzoogle, a direct-to-fan platform that DistroKid acquired in 2023. As Direct continues to develop, extra merch will grow to be obtainable, plus new methods for artists to work together instantly with their viewers.

Although it shouldn’t need to be this fashion, most unbiased artists maintain their music careers afloat by way of merchandise gross sales. Some consultants declare merchandise could make up round 70 p.c of an artist’s income, and it was a key lifeline for individuals who couldn’t carry out dwell through the COVID-19 pandemic.

With that mentioned, some venues are rising their lower of artist’s merch gross sales, which means a direct-to-fan platform like this one can additional assist musicians who want merch to spice up their earnings. SoundCloud launched the same retailer mannequin final yr.

“Direct is another approach DistroKid helps artists at each step — earlier than, throughout, and after they launch music,” says Matthew Ogle, Chief Product Officer. “We’re constructing easy instruments that permit artists share what they create, from music to merch and past, and join instantly with the individuals who care about them most.”

Discover out extra about Direct over at DistroKid. 

Rachel is a DIY musician who started studying guitar and keyboard from her bed room at 14. She has written information and options for MusicTech since 2022, and likewise has bylines throughout Kerrang!, Guitar.com, and The Forty-5. Although a lover of heavy music, her responsible pleasure is 2000s pop.