If you’re a DJ using Mixcloud, you can help fund your passion via our Creator Subscriptions Pro feature. Creator Subscriptions allows your listeners to financially support you on a regular basis and become part of an inner circle of true fans who gain access to extra benefits of your choice. These could be exclusive mixes, special series, extended shows or more. Plus subscribing to your profile gives them offline listening, no adverts and upfront tracklists, all for a rate you set, starting at £/$/€2.99 a month.
Consistently creating shows for your listeners is a great way to build your Mixcloud community, and creating a space where they can be rewarded gets them that bit closer to you. But it can understandably be a bit daunting to take the next step and ask them for money for what you do. We’re here to help with that.
In this article, we share ways you can communicate the benefits of subscribing to your channel including what they get from it, how it helps you and how it supports the artists whose music you play, in a style that feels authentic to you.
But first, you need to get set up
Setting up your Creator Subscriptions page is very easy. Your page includes a personal message from you and highlights your recent public shows and exclusives. Think of this as the shop window to your profile. This is your chance to encourage your listeners to support you via a small monthly fee – the cost of a cup of coffee – so that you can buy tunes, maintain your equipment and keep making the shows they love. Make it personal and relatable, explain that 65% of the money goes towards paying the artists whose music you play. That way, they know that they’re supporting the music community by helping artists get paid. Detail what you will give your fans in return for that extra support.
Don’t think of it as you trying to sell yourself. Instead, be transparent; describe your profile in first-person or second-person, such as “I’ve been a DJ for five years…” or “we launched our station three years ago…”. Tell your fans how much music and DJing means to you, the genres you play, the artists you’re supporting and scenes you’re championing.
Mike Marrone is one of Mixcloud’s highest earners in Creator Subscriptions; he offers his fans exclusive playlists of his shows on his standard Mixcloud profile, promising his fans “an enhanced experience.” His intro text speaks to why he created his page and what will be available, as well as a thank you to his subscribers.
Set your monthly fee
Once you’re happy with your personal message, you need to set the price of your monthly subscription fee. The price you set directly impacts how much you earn, so think about how regularly you’ll be uploading and whether your fans are super engaged before you commit to a price.
Set your display picture
Next up, pick a killer display picture that will give a great first impression of your channel to potential subscribers. The picture should have high resolution with dimensions of 1600px x 900px or 16:9. Pick the genres you play on your shows next. Then outline the benefits your fans will receive, such as exclusive and extended shows, upfront tracklists and early access.
Once you’re set up, your Subscriptions dashboard lets you keep track of how many subscribers you have, who they are and how much you’re earning. This is also where you can make edits to your page.
Encourage your fans to subscribe
It’s important to hit the ground running and be clear about how your fans benefit from subscribing and exactly how it will help you. Beyond the intro portion of your Creator Subscriptions page, another way is to message your fans is by using Mixcloud Posts. This is a great way to communicate directly with your fans, make announcements, offer giveaways to your subscribers and other rewards. From within your dashboard, you can create ‘public’ Posts, available to all your followers, or ‘exclusive’ Posts that only your subscribers can access. You could also use the Post as an opportunity to remind listeners about the benefits they get from your profile.
Tell your fans what to expect
You can get into the detail of what you’ll be doing on your Creator Subscriptions page, so fans know what they can expect from an exclusive offering. Tell them how often you’ll upload and the type of shows you’ll do. If you have plans, for example, to release a mix series dedicated to Jungle, or a talk show that explores the history of Studio 54, tell your fans to get them excited. DJ Rachel Lynch creates wedding-themed multi-genre mixes exclusively for her subscribers.
Here are some other creative ways you can use Creator Subscriptions:
- Keep your new shows exclusive for a limited amount of time and then go public.
- Upload unseen content like extended interviews, extra commentary, rare live sets or special guest mixes.
- For maximum success, consider compiling a playlist with all of your exclusive mixes. This will give your listeners easy access when they subscribe.
- Create extended versions of your shows – make the first part free and the second part exclusive.
- If you’re feeling particularly creative, put together a bespoke series of shows dedicated to your subscribers.
Make your fans feel special
When fans subscribe to your profile, they become part of an inner circle of fans with access to extra special content and benefits. They’re investing in you and showing you amazing support. This is your opportunity to ramp up what you do to cater to what they want. If they want a mix about 1990s Europop, you can put that together and that will make them feel they’re being listened to. They can give you really creative ideas to take into your flow. What’s more, they can give you feedback on the exclusive shows you put out, and you can take in their thoughts when you go into your next mix. In the process, not only do you earn, but you improve your skills as a DJ by exploring areas you may’ve never considered.
John Digweed uses his Creator Subscriptions page to invite his fans to have their say on his legendary radio show Transitions, giving them the chance to have their voices heard on radio. Think of your Creator Subscriptions page as your way to personalise your shows for your fans based on their needs and wants. And as a way to mix up your content!
Promote Subscriptions in your shows
To continue spreading the message about your Creator Subscriptions profile, start plugging it in your shows. This is an incredibly effective way to keep the message fresh in the minds of your fans. Firstly, in your show description, write up a message plugging your page and repeat for every mix you make.
If you talk in your shows, maybe start your mix or radio show with a small message asking listeners to subscribe, or maybe add to the end of your show so that listeners leave with that affirmation. If you don’t talk on your shows, consider creating a jingle that can promote your profile. When bringing in guests to your show, you can encourage them to promote your Creator Subscriptions to their audience. Ask them to promote both your show and your subscriptions on their social media and other platforms.
If you’re a radio station on Mixcloud, you may consider writing a script that your presenters can read during their shows. That way, everyone is on the same page and the same mission! Soho Radio did this to promote subscriptions on every show.
Promote Subscriptions on your social channels
Outside of Mixcloud, make use of your other avenues of communication with your fans to get them onboard. If you don’t already have a website, consider making one so you can showcase your Mixcloud profile and consistently plug your Creator Subscriptions. You can also easily embed your shows on your website so that listeners have instant access.
Social media can go a long way, too. Whether it’s Instagram, X, Facebook or TikTok, you can find creative ways to talk to your followers and tell them about your Creator Subscriptions. The month before you launch is as important as the moment you go live, so use it to prepare yourself and your fans for what’s coming. Make your launch announcement posts and create a social media calendar. Then, you can plot out reminders and teasers around each release. Use any opportunity to capture content (in-the-studio, at a show etc) and create a content bank to keep your social posts on point. Maybe make a fun video explaining why they should subscribe and what their support means to you. Or, write a passionate caption. Whichever suits you! Who knows, maybe your communications reach beyond your fans and you bring in new ones that could subscribe.
If email is more your style, create a mailing list and gather the email addresses of your fans so that you can send them regular updates about your profile, shows and, of course, plug your exclusive offerings. If you’ve already built up a hefty list, start spreading the message immediately!
Consistency is important
Ultimately, keeping consistent with promoting your Creator Subscriptions page is the best way to build momentum. Posting about your profile once and moving on won’t be as effective when trying to convince your fans, especially as some of them might not see your message the first time. So stick with it no matter how long it takes, and do your best to make sure it reaches as many people as possible. That way, you put yourself in as good a position as possible to bring more of your fans in.