The Power of Merch: How to Monetise Beyond Streams

For independent artists, streaming revenue is just one piece of the puzzle when it comes to sustaining a music career. While platforms like Spotify and Apple Music can help you reach millions of listeners, the per-stream payout is often far from enough to cover the costs of creating and promoting your music. That’s where merchandise comes in. Selling merch is not just an additional revenue stream—it’s a powerful way to build your brand and connect with your audience on a deeper level. Let’s explore how to leverage merch to monetise beyond streams with TenFold.

Why Merch Matters for Independent Artists

Merchandise is more than just T-shirts and posters—it’s a tangible connection between you and your audience. For your listeners, wearing or owning your merch is a way of showing loyalty and pride in your music. For you, it’s a way to generate income and build a recognisable brand.

• Revenue: Merch sales often have higher profit margins than streaming revenue. A single T-shirt sale could equal hundreds of streams.

• Branding: Custom merchandise helps you establish a unique visual identity that fans can associate with your music.

• Engagement: Exclusive or limited-edition items create buzz and encourage fans to take action.

How TenFold Simplifies Merchandising

TenFold’s integrated merch tools make it easy for you to design, sell, and manage your merchandise, all from one platform. Here’s how it works:

1. Design Your Merch

• Use TenFold’s simple merch creator tool or integrate directly with our partners, giving you access to a wide range of customisable products like T-shirts, hoodies, hats, and more.

• Upload your designs or collaborate with a designer to create visually striking, on-brand items.

2. Set Up Your Store

• Create your own merch store within the TenFold platform.

• Customise your store with your branding, including logos, colour schemes, and product descriptions to give it a professional look.

3. Launch Your Campaign

• Pair your merch launch with a new music release to maximise visibility.

• Promote your store using TenFold’s built-in email and SMS marketing tools to reach your listeners directly.

4. Manage Sales and Inventory

• TenFold handles payment processing and tracks your inventory, so you don’t have to worry about logistics.

• With our merch integration, items are printed and shipped automatically when orders come in, saving you time and effort.

Types of Merch That Sell

Not sure what to offer? Here are some ideas that work for most independent artists:

1. Apparel: T-shirts, hoodies, and caps are fan favourites. Keep the designs bold and memorable.

2. Limited-Edition Items: Create exclusivity by offering limited runs of products like signed posters or vinyl records.

3. Accessories: Stickers, phone cases, tote bags, and mugs are affordable options that fans love.

4. Event-Based Merch: If you’re playing live shows, create products specifically tied to those events, such as tour T-shirts.

Tips for Maximising Merch Sales

1. Know Your Audience: Use TenFold’s analytics to understand what your listeners love most and tailor your designs accordingly.

2. Bundle Deals: Combine merch with digital downloads or streaming codes to encourage higher sales per transaction.

3. Create Urgency: Limited-edition items or time-sensitive discounts can drive quick sales.

4. Tell a Story: Use your designs to reflect your music or personal brand. Fans are more likely to buy merch that feels meaningful.

Why TenFold is the Best Platform for Merch

• Seamless Integration: Create, sell, and promote your merch all from the same platform where you distribute your music.

• Automated Fulfilment: merch integration handles printing and shipping, so you can focus on making music.

• Advanced Analytics: Track which products are performing best and adjust your strategy accordingly.

• Direct Marketing: Use TenFold’s marketing tools to drive sales directly from your email and SMS campaigns.

Start Monetising Beyond Streams Today

Merchandising isn’t just a nice-to-have—it’s a must-have for independent artists looking to grow their revenue and brand. With TenFold, you have everything you need to design, sell, and manage merch effortlessly, giving you more time to focus on what matters most: your music.

Launch Your Merch Store with TenFold Today.

Your Journey, Amplified TenFold!