5 Common Mistakes Artists Make on SoundCloud (And How to Fix Them)

SoundCloud is an amazing platform for independent artists—it gives you the chance to share your music, build a fan base, and even make some money. But here’s the thing: just uploading your tracks and hoping they go viral isn’t a strategy. A lot of artists make simple mistakes that hold them back without even realizing it.

The good news? These mistakes are totally fixable. With a few smart changes, you can get more streams, reach a bigger audience, and actually start gaining traction. Let’s break down five of the biggest mistakes artists make on SoundCloud—and how you can avoid them.

1. Uploading and Hoping for the Best

A huge mistake artists make is dropping a song and expecting magic to happen overnight. With millions of tracks on SoundCloud, the chances of people stumbling onto your music randomly are slim. You need to actively put your music in front of the right audience.

How to Fix It:

  • Use Repost Networks – Partner with artists in your genre and share each other’s music.
  • Submit to Playlists – Getting on popular SoundCloud playlists boosts exposure.
  • Promote on Social Media – Platforms like TikTok, Instagram, and Twitter (X) can drive traffic to your SoundCloud page.

How do I get discovered on SoundCloud?

  • Work with repost networks to push your music to a wider audience.
  • Trade reposts with artists in your style of music.
  • Try paid repost services or SoundCloud campaigns for targeted promotion.

2. Low-Quality Audio = Low Plays

It doesn’t matter how great your song is—if the audio quality isn’t up to par, people won’t stick around to listen. Low-bitrate MP3s, bad mixing, and poor mastering can make your track sound amateur, especially when compared to professional releases.

How to Fix It:

  • Always upload in WAV or 320kbps MP3 format.
  • Invest time (or money) into proper mixing and mastering.
  • Test your track on multiple devices before uploading.

Even if you’re on a budget, there are affordable tools and engineers who can help polish your sound. High-quality audio makes a huge difference in how your music is received.

3. Not Engaging with Fans

A lot of artists upload a song, log out, and never engage with their audience. Bad move. If you’re not responding to comments, interacting with fans, or showing love to other artists, you’re missing out on a key growth strategy.

How to Fix It:

  • Reply to Comments – A simple “thank you” can turn a casual listener into a fan.
  • Support Other Artists – Repost, comment, and network with musicians in your genre.
  • Ask for Feedback – Engaging your listeners makes them feel like part of your journey.

4. Inconsistent Music Releases

Imagine a YouTuber who posts once every six months—people will forget about them. The same goes for music. If your releases are inconsistent, it’s harder to build a loyal audience.

How to Fix It:

  • Create a Release Schedule – Whether it’s once a month or every two weeks, be consistent.
  • Use SoundCloud’s Scheduled Release Feature – Plan your drops in advance.
  • Keep Your Fans Engaged Between Releases – Share snippets, behind-the-scenes content, or remixes to stay relevant.

Example: Look at how artists like Russ or Billie Eilish built their careers—consistent releases kept their fan base engaged and growing.

5. Ignoring Analytics and Insights

Many artists never check their SoundCloud stats, which is a big mistake.If you don’t know who’s listening, where they’re from, or what tracks they love, you’re missing a huge opportunity to grow.

How to Fix It:

  • Check SoundCloud Stats Weekly – See which tracks perform best.
  • Understand Your Audience – Find out which countries and cities your fans are from.
  • Post at the Right Time – If most of your fans are in the U.S., don’t drop a track at 3 AM when they’re all asleep.

Pro Tip: Dive into SoundCloud’s audience insights to see who’s listening to your music and when. Tailoring your uploads to your audience’s habits can significantly improve your engagement.

To Wrap It Up

Avoiding these mistakes isn’t about overnight success—it’s about setting yourself up for long-term growth. Here’s a quick recap of what to do:

  • Promote your tracks – Don’t just upload and pray.
  • Ensure high-quality audio – Your music deserves to sound professional.
  • Engage with listeners – Turn casual plays into real fans.
  • Be consistent – Keep your audience hooked with regular releases.
  • Use analytics – Data helps you grow smarter and faster.

Making these small adjustments can completely change your SoundCloud game. The question is—are you going to take action, or keep making the same mistakes?

To steady and truly elevate your SoundCloud presence, however,it’s important to have the right support. By investing in a SoundCloud repost campaign designed to maximize your efforts, you can take your growth to the next level with a strategic approach that accelerates results.  Imagine having more time to focus on your music while knowing your tracks are being promoted by experts such as DaimoonMedia —this is the kind of advantage that can set you apart in the competitive SoundCloud scene. Start making these improvements today, and watch your SoundCloud presence grow!