bitflipper
SoundClick has charts, but they don't mean much because people game the system for the pleasure of seeing their own name on page one. There are even services available to push one's play count up for a fee, if you don't mind giving your credit card to someone in Thailand.
I agree Dave, it's scary and that isn't the only issue.
Sorry to sound negative and I don't mean to offend anyone here. Here goes;
Such music sites are part of the issue that has reduced the worth of music = ZERO. Who's making a liveable income if any money at all from sites such as SC? In addition, these types of music sites make money through additional band services, addons and advertising. At the end of the day the musician gets used as a contributor freely adding more and more content to keep these sites owners in business.
That said, musicians freely upload more and more and more songs to the point of
'Over Saturation' of the online music scene. There are some great songs here and there but unfortunately gets buried so deep it's worse than trying to find a needle in hay stack. Charts are indeed moot, seriously, I've been #1 on the local charts at another music site for about 6 years straight, yet I haven't uploaded any new content for a long, long time.
Here's a reality shakeup about such music sites; I keep getting bands friend me, play my music and comment, I'm grateful, thankful for that however, out of about 4,000 fans (global) I estimate I only have about 200 or less who are might actually be loyal fans ((not-musicians)), this group is more likely to attend events BUT, since this group of about 200 is scattered all over the world, some as young as 12, others 45 to 60 year old, suddenly the attendance (fans) is down to just
20 (maybe more or less) just 2 couples and baby? LOL! Nonetheless, I'll be grateful and all that but the venue manager will be counting his/her losses. So, the reality is, not viable to perform live entirely base on 'Online Stats' (as explained)!
IMHO --- My Advise: Don't waste your time with such music sites and their Charts, if you have already uploaded music? Just leave a few songs there and move on. I strongly suggest:
Get your own website; embed apps/widgets such as; mailing list (signup form), and/or other i.e. BandPage, which also comes with player and retail options. From there promote your site without being too repetitive on social networks such as Twitter. As for F/book and their paid to promote? Don't bother with that, just post your most recent release / event; to keep the message and link up-front; think of FB as your glossy poster with links to your site. Include a Blog and Emailer/Form (for newsletters) on your site.
My last song upload to sites such as SoundClick was so long ago I can't exactly remember LOL, I can't be bother checking either.
As for me (IMHO), I've been taking things real slow over the past few years, I'm certainly not interested in being the 'easy-one-click-uploader addict' or worse... becoming a freaking celebrity.... A few years ago I stranger who loved my music, purchased my CD (and wanted it autographed) said to me that I'm a celebrity? I thought to myself and replied, 'No Way'. Sure I'm grateful, thankful for that (and others who requested the same)! But aww man, face the reality, I've only made enough money to cover expenses e.g. the gear, the software and whatever. And of course, for all those years of sweat I put into my music.
Seriously, I hate being the center of attention (that's just who
I am) it's been ages since I last posted in the Songs forum. I just think it's best to lay low, continue to hone away (learn), I always strive to do better than my last effort. Maybe seek out other methods of making actual 'Profit$' such as; music placement in movies, trailers, games and jingles. Or others here may want to setup a studio recording business, or other viable business related to the music.
Anyway, I sincerely wish you Dave and everyone else all the very best.
Edit: Just to clarify that almost all of my post is intended to whomever happens to stop by.