@AndrewWinds and @slime good rant you got going here… I’m with you. I produce both Generic and Experimental Music. I follow my Muse.
I would never pay for “Likes” “Streams” “Comments” etc. I don’t get a lot of streams but I get steady streams and it’s growing. Yes … the Generic stuff tends to get more streams but sometimes the Experimental stuff surprises me with the response. In fact the experimental stuff has produced more followers that keep a dialogue going over time, even on SoundCloud. It’s one of the things that keeps me coming back to IDMf and some other places like this.
Streams, Likes, Comments, Reposts, getting added to Playlists etc. It’s all a form of validation, not when you pay for it (of course!) but it is especially validating when you also get paid for your music.
I’m an advocate for all of us producers to get paid for our content, especially since platforms like SoundCloud make money from our content. I don’t begrudge SoundCloud getting paid, they provide a service. I just want my share.
I have a Distributor that offers free distribution. They take 15% of any money generated by streams. If you have a real Banger and regret giving them 15% you can pay $10, and keep100% of income. You also keep 100% of rights. It works for me. I love dreaming about pennies dropping in to my account as I sleep.
If you are not getting paid for your Music then I respectively ask… why not?