10 Top Direct-to-Fan Platforms Compared In New Wicksteed Works Report

Wicksteed Works is a London-based direct-to-fan consulting and services company who design, manage and execute digital campaigns for musicians. Today they released their guide to direct-to-fan platforms comparing 10 top platforms with details that would otherwise take quite a while to round up. In addition it shares a process for figuring out which platform is right for the artist in question since one's needs do change as one's career grows.

Jessie Scoullar is the Director and Founder of Wicksteed Works. Her background includes three years with Topspin's Creative Services team and an early stint at PRS for Music.

The report, "Direct-To-Fan: Which Platform," is priced at £87, currently in U.S. dollars at $139.85. That's pricier than most of the services and offers I cover but Jessie Scoullar clarified that she considers her primary audience to be managers and labels. Of course, DIY artists are welcome as well.

The report itself is described in an official announcement as:

"a 'quick-reference' guide to provide answers and shed light on the kind of questions which ought to be asked by the bands and professionals looking to utilise direct-to-fan retail and marketing strategies, without overloading users with unnecessary facts, figures and information."

A free excerpt is available to get a sense of the overall report. It includes a clarification of the direct-to-fan concept, an example of their analysis of Bandcamp and additional tips on choosing the correct platform for the specific artist.

The full report covers the following 10 platforms:

• Bandcamp
• CrowdSurge
• Music Glue
• PledgeMusic
• rGenerator.com
• Sandbag
• StageBloc
• Sunshine HQ
• tmstores
• Topspin

The report includes a handy comparison chart covering key details followed by a closer look at each platform.

Given the amount of time it would take to figure all this out for yourself, this is a fairly priced report with plenty that was new to me.

Hypebot Senior Contributor Clyde Smith (@fluxresearch) recently launched DanceLand and is relaunching Crowdfunding For Musicians. Contact: clyde(at)fluxresearch(dot)com.