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How AES Works

Your complete guide to setting up and running your own artist platform. No middlemen, no platform fees, no limits.

Built on WordPress. Owned by you. Controlled by you.

What Is AES?

The short version: plugins that transform WordPress into a complete artist platform.

Built for WordPress

AES (Artist Empowerment Suite) is a collection of WordPress plugins that transform your self-hosted WordPress site into a full-featured artist platform. You maintain complete ownership and control—no middlemen, no revenue sharing, no platform fees. This is YOUR platform, running on YOUR server, with YOUR rules.

What You Need

Web Hosting

A web host that supports WordPress (most do). We recommend hosts with good PHP performance.

Domain Name

Your own domain (yourbandname.com) where fans will find you.

WordPress

A fresh WordPress installation. We'll guide you through the rest.

About 30 Minutes

That's all it takes to get your platform up and running.

You'll also need payment processing and file delivery services. View all third-party services & costs →

Setup in 4 Steps

From zero to live artist platform—here's exactly what the process looks like.

1

Install AES Core

The foundation of your artist platform

AES Core is the heart of the system. It includes:

  • SAP (Streaming Audio Player) — A beautiful, full-featured audio player for your music. Supports playlists, albums, and individual tracks.
  • TVP (The Video Player) — Your own video player with that retro CRT aesthetic. No YouTube ads, no algorithm, no distractions.
  • Music Library — Organize and manage your entire catalog. Albums, singles, EPs—all in one place.
  • Video Library — Same for video content. Music videos, live performances, behind-the-scenes—you control the archive.
  • User Dashboard — Where your fans manage their account, see their activity, and access their content.
Installation: Upload the plugin via WordPress admin → Plugins → Add New → Upload Plugin
2

Configure Your Settings

Customize the platform to match your brand

Once installed, you'll configure AES to fit your needs:

  • Branding — Set your colors, logo, and visual style. The retro aesthetic is default, but you can customize it.
  • Content Settings — Configure how music and videos are displayed, organized, and accessed.
  • User Registration — Decide how fans sign up. Open registration? Invite only? Approval required?
  • Access Controls — Set what content is public vs. fan-only. Create tiers if you want.
Time needed: 10-15 minutes for basic setup. Take your time with branding.
3

Add Your Content

Upload your music, videos, and other media

Now the fun part—populating your platform:

  • Upload Music — Add tracks individually or in bulk. Set metadata, cover art, and organize into albums.
  • Upload Videos — Same process for video content. No file size limits imposed by us—your host is the only limit.
  • Create Playlists — Curate collections for different moods, eras, or purposes.
  • Write Content — Use WordPress's built-in editor for blog posts, announcements, or long-form content.
Pro tip: Start with your best 10-20 tracks. You can always add more later.
4

Launch & Grow

Go live and start building your audience

Your platform is ready. Now it's time to bring in fans:

  • Announce Your Platform — Tell your existing audience about your new home. Social media, email list, word of mouth.
  • Drive Traffic — Point your marketing to YOUR platform, not Spotify or YouTube. Your ads should build YOUR audience.
  • Engage Fans — Use the tools to create exclusive content, interact with fans, and build community.
  • Add Modules — As you grow, add Token System for monetization, Analytics for insights, or other modules as needed.
Remember: AES is a destination, not a marketing tool. Marketing brings them in—AES gives them a reason to stay.

Running Your Platform

What does day-to-day operation actually look like? Here's the breakdown.

Once your platform is live, here's what ongoing operation looks like:

Regular Tasks

  • Upload new content as you create it
  • Respond to fan comments and messages
  • Post updates and announcements
  • Check your analytics dashboard
15-30 min/day (or batch weekly)

Maintenance

  • Keep WordPress and plugins updated
  • Monitor site performance
  • Regular backups (automated is best)
  • Review security logs occasionally
30 min/month (with membership updates)

Growth

  • Create exclusive content for fans
  • Run promotions or campaigns
  • Analyze what's working (Analytics module)
  • Add new modules as you scale
As much as you want

The Big Picture

Running AES is like running any website—it needs attention, but it's not a full-time job. The platform does the heavy lifting. You focus on what you do best: creating music and connecting with fans.

Technical Requirements

AES runs on standard WordPress hosting. Here’s what you need to get started.

WordPress

Version 6.0 or higher. A fresh installation is recommended.

PHP 8.0+

Modern PHP for best performance and security.

MySQL/MariaDB

MySQL 5.7+ or MariaDB 10.3+ for database.

10GB+ Storage

More for large video libraries. Plan ahead.

SSL Certificate

Required for payments. Most hosts include free SSL.

Quality Hosting

WordPress-optimized hosting recommended.

Beyond the basics, you’ll need payment processing, file delivery, and optionally email marketing.

View All Third-Party Services & Costs →

Common Questions

Before You Start

Answers to the questions artists ask most.

  • Do I need to know how to code? No. If you can use WordPress, you can use AES.
  • Can I migrate from Bandcamp/Patreon? Yes. We have migration guides and services available.
  • What if something breaks? AES membership includes support access. We're here to help.
  • Can I try before I buy? AES Core is free to use. Test it before committing to add-ons.

Not Technical? No Problem.

We offer done-for-you services so you can focus on your art, not your website.

Build It For Me

Don't want to handle the technical setup? We'll do it for you. We'll install WordPress, configure AES, set up your branding, and hand you the keys to a ready-to-go platform.

  • Full WordPress + AES installation
  • Theme and branding configuration
  • Initial content migration help
  • Training session included
Custom quote based on your needs
Learn More

Run It For Me

Want someone else to handle the ongoing technical stuff? We'll manage updates, monitor performance, handle backups, and keep everything running smoothly.

  • WordPress & plugin updates
  • Performance monitoring
  • Security & backup management
  • Priority support access
Monthly retainer based on fanbase size
Learn More

Both services include a free consultation to understand your needs and provide an accurate quote.

Ready to Own Your Platform?

Stop paying rent on someone else's platform. Build something that's truly yours.

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