What to sell as a musician online (From essentials to creative extras)

Streaming’s great for reach, but it doesn’t pay the rent. An online store gives you something better: a way to earn directly from your fans - and offer them more than they’ll ever get from Spotify.

If you’ve ever wondered what to sell as a musician online, this guide covers the basics and then goes way beyond. Whether you’re just starting out or looking to deepen your offerings, here’s what you can include in your store.

The Essentials Every Musician Can Sell

These are the first things most musicians think of - and with good reason. They’re simple to set up and offer a direct path from listener to supporter.

1. Digital Music Downloads

Offer your music as downloadable files in high-quality formats like MP3, WAV, or FLAC. This is perfect for fans who want to truly own your songs, not just stream them.

You can sell individual singles or full albums, create bundles with artwork or lyric sheets, or even release “deluxe” digital versions that include demos, acapellas, or commentary.

Want to go a step further? Add a “name your price” option so supporters can give more if they want - it’s often one of the most fan-friendly ways to make income early on.

Photo by Kenny Eliason on Unsplash

2. Physical Formats (CDs, Vinyl, Cassettes... Even USBs)

Yes, physical music still sells - and for many fans, they’re more meaningful than digital.

Photo by Krists Luhaers on Unsplash

A signed CD, a limited-run cassette with handmade packaging, or a beautiful vinyl pressing can turn your music into a keepsake.

You can even personalize orders with extras like lyric cards, polaroids, or sketches. Some artists go beyond traditional formats and release albums on USB drives, often loaded with music videos, bonus content, and stems.

These are easy to ship and feel unique in an era of disposable streams.

3. Merch (T-shirts, Hoodies, Stickers, Posters)

Merch is more than a revenue stream - it’s identity.

It gives fans something to wear, hang, or carry that says I’m part of this. And it works even when your audience is small. One person wearing your tee or hanging your poster in their room can say more than a thousand likes.

Photo by Matthew Moloney on Unsplash

Stickers, Posters, and Printables

These small items are budget-friendly, easy to mail, and surprisingly personal.

Posters of your cover art, tour flyers, or even visual reinterpretations of your lyrics can be sold as art prints. Stickers can carry your logo, a lyric snippet, or a custom design tied to your album’s theme.

Want to go digital? Offer downloadable printables like coloring pages, lyric posters, or art collages your fans can print and decorate with. It’s a fun, low-cost way to stay connected with your audience.

4. Tickets (Live Shows or Livestreams)

Selling tickets directly means no middlemen. Whether you're performing at a venue, streaming from your bedroom, or hosting a listening party for your next release, selling access directly gives you full control over the experience.

You can get creative with bundles: a “ticket + digital album” combo, early access plus a signed poster, or even a VIP livestream with a Q&A or song request segment.

Photo by Fifi zzz on Unsplash

Some artists run pay-what-you-want ticketed livestreams, which can work surprisingly well for small but loyal fanbases—especially when the event feels intimate or special.

Don't underestimate private shows either. You could offer limited spots for fans to join you on Zoom while you play new material, break down how you produced a song, or just hang out. These small-scale sessions often build deeper loyalty than big shows, and they’re much easier to organize.

Extras That Add Value and Connection

Once the essentials are in place, you can start thinking about how to turn your store into more than a merch table.

5. Lyric Booklets and Liner Notes

Streaming platforms rarely leave room for context - but fans love learning the stories behind the music. A lyric booklet or liner note PDF can give them just that.

Offer it as a digital download, a printed zine, or a limited booklet bundled with a physical album.

Photo by Calum MacAulay on Unsplash

Your booklet could include the full lyrics (great for fans who want to sing along), sketches from the writing process, photos from your sessions, or even reflections on what inspired certain songs.

Some artists include alternate lyrics, unreleased verses, or commentary on how the track evolved from demo to final mix.

Even if you’re just releasing a short EP, this kind of personal insight turns it into a full experience. And for physical collectors, a printed version adds real value - especially when signed or personalized.

It’s a small thing to add, but it gives fans something they can revisit again and again.

6. Deluxe Bundles

Deluxe bundles are your way of saying: “Here’s the full world of this release.” Instead of just selling a digital download or CD, you can curate a complete fan experience by combining your music with hand-picked extras.

Photo by Joanna Kosinska on Unsplash

Think of a bundle as a care package: the album (digital or physical), a shirt or tote, a few stickers, a signed lyric card, maybe even a polaroid or mini poster.

You can tailor bundles to different price points - from budget-friendly to premium collector sets. Some artists even number their bundles or add one-of-a-kind elements like handwritten notes or unique inserts.

These bundles are especially appealing to your core fans - the people who want to go deeper and support you directly. It also gives you a chance to sell multiple products at once in a way that feels natural, not pushy. For new releases, offering bundles during preorder or launch week can also help build momentum and excitement.

7. Shoutouts and Fan Messages

A simple gesture can make a big impact, especially when you're still growing your audience.

Personalized shoutouts, video messages, or handwritten thank-you cards help fans feel directly seen. These are easy to offer and don't require a big setup, but the emotional return is huge.

Photo by Debby Hudson on Unsplash

You could sell short birthday shoutouts, voice notes thanking someone for their support, or even custom messages tied to a specific track ("I wrote this one for moments like yours").

Some artists also offer personalized lyric cards or mini freestyle verses with the fan's name. These products often attract your most loyal listeners - the ones who want a personal connection, not just a song on a playlist.

And for you, they’re low-effort but high-reward. They let you turn one-on-one attention into income and deeper fan loyalty.

8. Fan Clubs, Memberships, and Mailing List Perks

Some of your biggest supporters don’t just want the music - they want to be part of your world.

Fan memberships and mailing lists are powerful ways to give them that, while building long-term income and connection on your terms.

Photo by Giorgio Trovato on Unsplash

A membership model lets you offer monthly perks like unreleased demos, early access to new tracks, exclusive livestreams, or discount codes.

You could share loop packs, song drafts, private blog posts, or even zines for members only. It doesn’t have to be a huge operation, just a few people who genuinely care is enough to make it worthwhile.

Your mailing list, on the other hand, is your most reliable way to reach fans directly.

Social media platforms are unpredictable, but email goes straight to your listeners - and they’ve already said yes by signing up.

Photo by Kate Macate on Unsplash

Reward them with exclusive content: secret drops, limited-run products, behind-the-scenes notes, or even unreleased tracks via private links.

Whether you’re running a full fan club or just sending thoughtful email updates now and then, both tools help turn casual listeners into real, lasting supporters.

And the best part? You don’t need to rely on Patreon or third-party platforms. You can do all of this through your own site and mailing list.

Creative, Niche, and Unexpected Ideas

These products might not be for everyone, but that’s the point! They speak directly to your audience and show them who you are.

9. Sample Packs, Presets, and Stems

If you produce, your sound design already holds value.

Don’t let it sit unused in your project folders - turn it into something other musicians can build on.

Photo by James Owen on Unsplash

You can sell curated sample packs, drum kits, ambient textures, or loop collections tailored to your genre. Synth presets or even FX chains for your favorite plugins are also valuable for producers looking for inspiration or shortcuts.

Want to connect and promote at the same time? Release the stems of your latest track and host a remix contest. It’s a great way to engage fans creatively, discover collaborators, and expand your reach in the music community. Just be clear about licensing terms and permissions, and you’re good to go.

10. Services: Lessons, Feedback, Features

You don’t need to be famous to be helpful.

If you’ve picked up experience in production, songwriting, performance, or even branding, offer it as a service. You could sell mix or beat feedback sessions, help with song structure or lyrics, or even offer featured verses or hooks for a price.

Photo by Cytonn Photography on Unsplash

Lessons work great too. Whether it’s guitar, vocals, or Ableton basics, there are always fans or beginners who’d love to learn directly from you.

These offerings are easy to manage through a simple calendar or form, and they don’t require large audiences, just the willingness to share what you know.

11. More Prints and Handmade Merch

Some fans love your sound. Others love the entire visual universe around it.

Offer physical prints of your album artwork, scanned sketchbook pages, handwritten lyrics, or photo series that visually echo their sound.

Photo by Myrlene NUMA on Unsplash

Offer them as signed prints, risographs, or even small-run posters on recycled paper. They’re especially loved by fans who connect with your visual side as much as your music. Fans who connect with your music are often excited to explore your full creative world.

Want to go deeper? Try handmade or altered merch: hand-bleached tees, painted cassette shells, embroidered patches, or collage zines built from scraps of your process. Imperfections and limited quantities often make these pieces more desirable, not less.

These kinds of items aren’t just merch, they’re extensions of your art. When someone hangs it on their wall or keeps it on their desk, it becomes part of their life in a way music alone sometimes can’t.

12. Custom USBs and Art Objects

Want to surprise your audience? Try a physical format that’s equal parts throwback and collectible: USB drives.

You can load them with full albums, demos, music videos, unreleased tracks, even bonus folders of behind-the-scenes photos or DAW files.

Photo by Alina Grubnyak on Unsplash

But don’t stop at what’s inside, make the outside count too. Decorate the USB, wrap it in a custom package, or bundle it with small art prints, lyric cards, or pressed flowers.

One-of-a-kind presentation turns a basic storage device into a personal time capsule.

For small fanbases, this can be a really intimate and memorable way to share your work.

13. Blog Posts and Tutorials

You probably already share bits of your process on social media. Why not turn that into something lasting AND helpful?

Blog posts about how you wrote a song, tutorials for your mixing chain, or downloadable DAW templates can become part of your online store.

Photo by Glenn Carstens-Peters on Unsplash

These kinds of resources are great for connecting with fellow musicians, especially if you’ve carved out a sound others want to learn from.

Field recordings, sample libraries and songwriting guides all fall into this category too.

It’s not just about teaching, it’s about showing your curiosity and process. That kind of openness builds a deeper kind of fan.

How to start selling without burning out?

You don’t need to launch with everything. Start with one or two items, test what works, and build over time. The best stores feel personal, not overloaded.

Make sure your shop lives on your own website - not just on a merch site. That way, fans see your music, bio, blog, and everything else in one place, and you stay in control of the experience.

You could use Noiseyard if you want something quick and simple - it lets you sell music and products without commission and has a built-in mailing list with three flexible selling options:

1. Sell Directly from Your Noiseyard Store – Add products, manage orders, and receive payments directly (no commission taken!).

2. Use a Product Catalog Linked to an External Store – Display your merch on your Noiseyard site while redirecting fans to another platform for checkout.

3. Direct Link to an External Store – Keep it simple with a button that leads fans to your existing merch store.

   
   
   

Final Thoughts

Your online store isn’t just about selling. It’s about building trust, identity, and connection. Whether you’re offering a T-shirt, a remix contest, or a field recording from your last hike, it all adds up to a fuller, richer picture of who you are.

And you don’t need a huge fanbase. You just need a few people who care - and a way to let them show it!