I Built a $1M Music App
Who are you and what business did you start?
Hi, I’m Kasper, the founder and CEO of Free To Use — a music platform providing creators with high-quality music that is free to use in their content shared on social platforms such as YouTube.
What makes Free To Use special is our combination of a fast, well-designed platform with an intuitive UX that helps creators quickly find the perfect track. We offer unlimited free downloads with no registration required, music protection to prevent copyright claims, and a guarantee that all our music will always remain free to use — now and in the future. Today, we’re generating about $85K in monthly revenue.
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How do you come up with the idea for Free To Use?
The idea for Free To Use came from my own frustration as a content creator. Back in 2015, I spent countless hours searching for free music that was actually safe to use in monetized videos. I realized many creators faced the same problem — and that there was a real need for a simple, intuitive platform offering truly free, high-quality music.
I knew this was the right idea when conversations with other creators lit up with excitement about the concept. I validated it by releasing a simple version of the site and started to watch downloads come in — thousands within the first month.
How did you build the initial version of Free To Use?
The founder of Free To Use, Kasper, built the music platform by starting with a simple version of the site that offered free, high-quality music. He focused on creating an intuitive platform that helped creators quickly find the perfect track. Kasper validated the idea by watching thousands of downloads come in within the first month. The development process involved optimizing category pages around niche search terms, investing in Google search ads, and building a YouTube channel called No Copyright Background Music to promote the music from Free To Use. Through organic growth channels and a focus on solving real problems, Free To Use has become a successful platform generating $85K in monthly revenue.
How did you launch Free To Use and get initial traction?
I simply shared Free To Use with a few YouTubers and creators I followed. I posted on Reddit, joined a few niche Facebook groups, and reached out directly to creators who were struggling with copyright issues. There was no big campaign — just honest outreach and a platform that solved a real problem. The response was very positive. Users especially liked how fast and easy it was to find music, and many said it felt too good to be true.
We made our first dollar by selling a license. A YouTuber who discovered the site reached out and asked if he could license a track for a sponsored video. That first sale came just a few days after launch and confirmed we were on the right path.
What was the growth strategy for Free To Use and how did you scale?
I've grown Free To Use by focusing on organic channels that meet creators where they already are. SEO has been our biggest driver — I've optimized category pages around niche search terms like “royalty-free lo-fi music for vlogs” and “no copyright ambient music,” which helped us rank quickly and attract users. In addition, I invest quite a lot into Google search ads to reach an even broader audience.
I've also built YouTube channel called No Copyright Background Music where most music from Free To Use are promoted. Today, this channel has almost 700,000 subscribers and it drives A LOT of traffic and users to Free To Use.
Another specific growth tactic that worked was targeting Reddit threads where creators ask for music recommendations. Instead of spamming links, I’d reply with thoughtful comments and offer our platform as a free resource. That personal approach led to traffic spikes and long-term users.
My recommendation to aspiring entrepreneurs: focus on solving real problems really well, then go find people already talking about that problem. Don’t try to “go viral” — try to be useful.
What were the biggest lessons learned from building Free To Use?
One of the most helpful lessons I’ve learned is that simplicity wins. I focused on building a clean, intuitive platform that did one thing really well: helping creators find free, high-quality music fast. That clarity made product and marketing decisions easier.
Of course, there were mistakes. I waited too long to start an email list and underestimated how confusing music licensing is for creators. But good timing helped — content creation was exploding, and we were ready. The biggest skill I developed was learning to really listen to users — not just their words, but their struggles. My top advice: don’t chase trends. Solve one problem really well. Build trust. Keep it simple.
What platform/tools does Free To Use use?
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More about Free To Use:
Who is the owner of Free To Use?
Kasper Fejring is the founder of Free To Use.
When did Kasper Fejring start Free To Use?
2016
How much money has Kasper Fejring made from Free To Use?
Kasper Fejring started the business in 2016, and currently makes an average of $1.02M/year.
