Leerecs
The Case for Direct-to-Fan Music Sales
A stream on Spotify pays approximately $0.003–$0.005 per play. A $25 vinyl record sold directly to a fan generates $25 — of which the artist might keep $15–$20 after platform fees and manufacturing costs. To generate the same income from streaming, that same fan would need to stream your music approximately 5,000 times.
Direct-to-fan sales invert the streaming model: fewer transactions, higher revenue per transaction, and a direct relationship between artist and buyer.
Revenue Comparison: Streaming vs. Direct Sales
| Channel | Revenue per fan who buys $25 vinyl | Streams needed to match |
|---|---|---|
| Spotify stream | $0.004 | ~6,250 streams |
| Leerecs direct vinyl sale | $15–$20 | — |
| Digital download ($9.99) | $7–$9 | ~2,250 streams |
What Makes a Good Direct-to-Fan Platform?
When choosing where to sell music directly, look for:
- Low fees — Platform cuts should be minimal. Leerecs, Bandcamp, and similar platforms take a percentage; avoid platforms that take majority share.
- Physical format support — Vinyl, cassette, and CD fulfillment built into the platform
- Fan data ownership — You should own your buyer's email addresses. Streaming platforms own the fan relationship; direct sales platforms should give you the data.
- Flexible pricing — Pay-what-you-want, bundles, and discount tools drive conversion
- No algorithm dependency — Direct sales don't depend on an opaque recommendation algorithm to surface your music
Leerecs as a Direct-to-Fan Platform
Leerecs is built specifically for independent artists who want to own their catalog, sell physical and digital music, and build a direct relationship with fans. Artist storefronts on Leerecs support digital downloads, vinyl, cassette, and CD — all fulfilled to the buyer directly with no minimum order requirements.
See also: Bandcamp Alternatives: Best Platforms for Independent Artists