18 Ways Musicians Can Make Money

One of the biggest challenges facing musicians
is generating income. Gone are the days when a
band could rely solely on music sales and
touring to earn a living.
Part of the reality of being a working musician
today is the need to diversify your revenue
streams. Although sales of recorded music have
gone down significantly in recent years, there
are new sources of income available to
musicians.
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A mix of traditional and more modern income
streams can help today’s musicians earn a
living. Here’s a list of 18 ways to generate
revenue for your music career:
18 Ways Musicians Can Make Money
1. CD Sales : If you’re going to be playing live
shows, having CDs on hand is still a good idea.
They make great takeaway souvenirs that can
easily be signed by band members.
2. Vinyl Sales : Vinyl sales surged 30% in 2013.
Again, if you’ll be playing live shows, printing a
small batch to have at your merch table can
help generate extra income.
3. Digital Sales : You should be selling digital
music through your to make the
most money, but also through online retailers.
Keep in mind that online retailers take a
percentage of sales (ex. iTunes takes 30%,
Bandcamp takes 15%). Some digital distributors
that place your music in stores like iTunes and
Amazon will take a cut on top of that. Check
out our
for details on all of your options.
4. Streaming : Although per-stream payouts
from streaming services tend to be small, they
can add up over time. Keep in mind that these
services also help new fans discover your
music, and shouldn't be seen solely as an
income generator.
5. Live Shows : Money made from live shows
can vary greatly, but it’s still one of the best
ways to earn income. Not only can you make
money from selling tickets, but it’s also one of
the best ways to sell merch. Be sure to also
read
to make sure you’re getting the
most out of your gigs.
6. Physical Merch: Income from physical merch
can depend heavily on the amount of live shows
you play. If you go out on tour, be sure that you
have some t-shirts, as well as smaller items
like buttons and stickers that you can sell to
fans after the show. For tips on selling more
merch, check out
7. Digital Merch: You can also sell digital
merch items like PDFs, videos, and images to
your fans. Things like lyric books, live concerts,
sheet music, exclusive photos, artwork and
more.
Make more money as a musician! Keep 100%
of your revenues when you sell music, merch, &
tickets through your website.
8. Crowdfunding: Crowdfunding can be a great
way to generate income for your music career.
A well-executed crowdfunding campaign can
help you raise enough money to offset the cost
of producing and marketing your album. For
tips on crowdfunding, check out:
9. Publishing Royalties : You should be signed
up to a performing rights organization so you
can collect royalties on your music. This
includes public performance royalties (radio, TV,
live venues), mechanical royalties (sales
through retailers, streaming, etc.), and sync
royalties (commercials, film, TV).
10. Digital Royalties : Whenever your music is
played on services like SiriusXM radio, Pandora,
and webcasters, they must pay royalties. Sign
up for a free account to make
sure you’re collecting those royalties.
11. Live Performance Royalties : When
performing original material, you can earn
royalties from live performances. Whether you
perform at a bar, restaurant, club, or other
music venue, Performance Rights Organizations
(PROs) will pay royalties from those live
performances.
12. Licensing : If you get your song placed in a
film, commercial, or TV show, chances are
they’re going to pay you a licensing fee. These
fees vary greatly, depending on the budget for
the project, and how badly they want your
particular song.
13. YouTube : On YouTube, whenever your
music is used in videos that are running ads,
YouTube pays a portion of that advertising
money to the rights holders of the song. Digital
distributors like TuneCore and CD Baby can
help you collect that money, as well as Audiam.
Be sure to read our post
to help develop
your YouTube monetization strategy.
14. Sponsorships : If you’ve built up a fan base,
some companies are willing to sponsor
musicians to reach those fans. Sponsorships
can range from cash, to free products, services,
and gear. Read this excellent post from Dave
Huffman about sponsorships:
15. Session Work: Another way to make some
extra money is to put yourself out there as a
session musician. As a singer or
instrumentalist, you could do session work for
other musical projects, or even in advertising.
16. Songwriting/Composing : If you’re a
songwriter, you could write songs for other
musicians, or compose music specifically for
film and television.
17. Cover Gigs : Playing cover gigs at bars,
restaurants, weddings, and other private events
is frowned upon by some musicians. But those
shows can pay really well, and allow you to get
paid to play your instrument. There’s no shame
in that. And if you're looking to book gigs at
parties or private/corporate events, definitely
check out .
18. Music Lessons : Many musicians teach their
instrument to others to help generate revenue
towards their own career. This can be a nice
way to supplement your income, and allows you
to hone your craft at the same time. If you're
looking to give music lessons, check out
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Comments
Posted by
What's the best way to get in
the door as a studio musician?
Posted by
Cover gigs are not only a great
way to get paid more, but you
are also learning more about
your craft from the most
successful songwriters of all
time. It's also a great way to
grow your fan base from a
different pool of music fans.
For session work, you'll
probably want to join AFM for
the good money (ACTRA if
you're a singer).
Posted by
This is a great and informative
article
Posted
by Dave
Cool
The
Clearing:
Agreed!
And
great
advice
re:
AFM/
ACTRA.
Posted by Dave Cool
WWW.QUIETSTORMBEATZ.COM:
Glad you enjoyed it!
Posted by
Dave Cool
Kathy
Allen: No
easy or
simple
answer,
but lots of
networking
would
definitely
help.
Getting to
know
other local
musicians
and local
studios
and
getting the
word out
that you're
available
for
session
work
would be
a great
place to
start.
Posted by
Dave Cool
After posting
this article, I
thought of a
few more
income
streams: -
Sponsorships
- Live
Performance
Royalties. I'll
have to re-
edit :)
Posted by
Nice article Dave, lol at the G+
boo boo (I'm Lisa Tagaloa) :)
Posted by
Nice. Im earning some cash
from CD sales but Im going to
get more into the streaming to
reach fans. Great Post
Posted by James @ Gigee.me
Great tips! Doing live gigs
online can be a great way to
reach more of your audience
as well. The 4P's apply here
too.
Posted by
"17. Cover Gigs: Playing cover
gigs at bars, restaurants,
weddings and other private
events is frowned upon by
some musicians. But those
shows can pay really well, and
allow you to get paid to play
your instrument. There’s no
shame in that." Musicians who
frown on doing "cover
gigs" (we just call them
"songs" - not "covers" - and
we just call them "gigs") are
frowned upon by professional
musicians who play music for
a living.
Posted by Derp
Selling illegal drugs and
prostitution are the oldest side
jobs for musicians.
Posted by
www.MusicHitsTheMark.com
19. Speaking engagements.
People are very interested in
our world and what makes us
tick.
Posted by Sam
Try this website I've recently
joined offering paid music
licensing opportunities - for
free. It's called
www.needajingle.com
Posted by Denis Taaffe
great but depressing article.
In,other words the indy
musicians creating original
music has few outlets and
when they find some they get
very little. Itunes at least paid
somewhat, now streaming
services are paying pennies.
the best way is to set up a
website and sell direct. You
keep 100% of what ever you
charge and prices stay low
unless your greedy
Posted by
Thanks a lot, clearly outlined.
Posted by ericrunquist.com
Hey Dave, Thanks for posting...
Great, but I think the
experience knowledge given in
certain areas needs to be re-
evaluated. Glad you are
keeping the hustle alive as a
musician
Posted by br
This is incredibly unrealistic if
you like eating and paying your
bills.
Posted by Taco
Well, let me give you my opinion on
that list: * CD Sales, Digital Sales - is
disappearing quickly thanks to
streaming * Vinyl Sales - eh? That's
so niche you're not going to be
making regular money unless you sell
at the veteran's vinyl appreciation
society * Streaming - unrealistic way
to make a living (see here: http://
www.informationisbeautiful.net/2010/
how-much-do-music-artists-earn-
online/) * Live Shows, Physical
Merch, Digital Merch - for non-
performing musicians i.e. composers
and songwriters, no one is going to
buy that stuff * Crowdfunding - yes,
but unsustainable as it's a one-off
payment usually * Publishing
Royalties, Digital Royalties &
Live Performance Royalties - with
Performance-Royalty Free libraries
out there these days and a total lack
of interest from most filmmakers to
actually fill in cue sheets, even this
staple income is becoming scarce. *
Licensing - possibly the last area you
can make decent money on *
YouTube - like streaming, you need
big numbers to earn well from this,
although I know a few people who are
doing ok out of it, so it has potential *
Sponsorships - only if you're uber
popular! * Songwriting/Composing for
other musicians, Music Lessons,
composing specifically for film and
television - hard to get, but still a
source of income * Session Work,
Cover Gigs - only good for the
performing artist and if you can get
the work. Basically, streaming is
totally destroying online sales of
music for just listening to rather than
for sync purposes, if you're not a
performing artist then merch sales,
live shows and cover gigs etc. is not
an option so you end up selling on
shitty RF libraries to try and survive
and devalue the industry further.
Power has merely moved from the
record labels to distributors like
Google, Apple, Amazon and Spotify.
They decide the future of our
livelihoods along with politicians (like
the EU VAT band of clowns, look it up
if you haven't heard of it). I guess
we're in a saturated market with the
doors open to anyone, so getting any
kind of income from music these
days is going to be tough. Hopefully
there'll be a better way to make a
decent income in the future, otherwise
a lot of us will end up being force to
work in other areas and I can see the
quality of music getting really bad.
Posted by William
Nice article , Live performances
is the best , especially if y9u
can dance and you have a hot
body
Posted by Mike
You talk about royalties but
you don't mention what you
have to do to actually get
them. Such as signing a split
sheet. But before that is not
even done you need to be a
member of BMI, EMI, ASCAP,
TAXI or SESAC.
Posted by
Since releasing my CD two
weeks ago, I've so far
harvested 1 sale online. I'm
astounded how "friends" will
"like" my website but balk at
actually buying my music. I
guess I suck! I spared no
expense to produce a beautiful
product including a 12-page
booklet of lyrics. Now all that I
can realistically foresee at this
point is a trip to the dump.
Posted by Kevin
Artists have lost a lot of
control due to services like
Facebook and Twitter owning
their fans. A key way to get
ownership of your fans is to
use a social band app such as
GigRev's system. Its an app
with a "personal" Facebook
style wall with the key
difference that you own your
fans within the app. Its also
got cool features like Live
Broadcast to your fans and a
fan club subscription service
which allows you to earn
money in the same way as a
fan club would have done in
the old days.
Posted by Andrew
Nice list. If anyone is interested
in some other ways check out
my list at http://
craftymuso.com/2015/09/05/5-
unconventional-ways-you-can-
make-money-from-music/
Posted by Todd Barrow
http://
www.ToddBarrowMusic.com
Posted by
In my town, cover bands are
more popular than any original
band, by far. ;(
Posted by music channil
you could make CD's to sell
them which really works.
Posted by Emma Watson
You’ve got such an interesting
compilation here. Great points
highlighted. These would surely
help people like me leverage on
our site more. Thanks for the
input. I’ll sure try these out.
https://twitter.com/redgage
Posted by FredoEva
two is better than one that is
great help i will try it out
Posted by Krissy Madafaka
I have learned a lot from your
site and I like to listen to your
podcasts. They are very
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inspiring. I’m planning to quit
my full time job to start an
online business, I hope that it
will be soon. Thanks I wish it
could help you this out. make
money online
Posted by
Julia
Glad to
hear that
you're
appreciating
the articles
we're
posting,
Krissy!
Posted by KISHAN SINGH
Thanks 4 better suggestion
Posted by
What's frowned upon with
cover gigs is when people who
make a living off of others
music can also get a larger
reputation than those who
write original content. Please,
don't confuse talent with
originality and keep putting in
a real effort (even if you can't
play anything other than green
day).
Posted by Mike Spade
This article is utter nonsense,
no one buys music anymore
and never will, in any form; the
idea is that is expected to be
streamed on Youtube or
anywhere else for free..
Posted by mariam
how can book your own
concert i dont now how
Posted by mariam
how musician do own book
ticket concert in google
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Posted by Jonny Kerry
Hey, great article. A great way
for musicians to get work
playing at weddings and
parties is to sign up to a free
entertainment directory such as
https://www.entertaina.com
Posted by Greg
I think the message is that
unlike the old days, musicians
and everyone else for that
matter, need to diversify and
have multiple streams of
income. Many balk at this,
because there was a time when
you could "rock n roll all night
and party everyday" and now,
like the mediocre musicians of
days past, you basically need a
day job. I find myself in the
opposite scenario, where I have
had a decent paying day job,
but I have always liked music
and three years ago started to
write and perform. I'm not
great by any means, but I have
learned in this short period of
time that you really don't have
to be. Hot young girls have it
the easiest. The ones that can
capitalize on some type of
trend can do fairly well too.
The rest truly have to work
hard to promote. That's where
an act like ICP, which appears
unmarketable, untalented, and
cringeworthy somehow finds
an audience. I'm doing music
because I like it, but wouldn't
mind having it as supplemental
income. I do fear that it will
become more of a job if I go
down that road, but I guess
everything on earth that earns
you money could be classified
as a job.
Posted by
Thats really cool...all the
points that you have
mentioned..specially the
'Youtube' earning..its one of
the best..but also from music
distribution an individual artist
can earn proudly (we have
experienced). There is one of
the best video tutorial that
shows step by step about 'How
to earn form your music'. Do
watch it..hope it will be helpful
for all artists (Y) Link -
https://www.youtube.com/
watch?v=b6fw6_aiKuo Thanks
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Posted by Sadediji2gist
Someone above asked how to
book a concert. I wouldn't try
to book a show out at a venue
if you've never done it before.
What I recommend is setting
up an living room concert at
your place or a friend's. Get
some friends to show up,
maybe 15 to 20, and then
stream that concert live over
the internet. A couple of things:
1. You get exposure. Even if
only one person views the
show online, the show didn't
cost you anything to put
together, so it's worth it. 2. Set
up your webcast so that online
links to your music are right
there for anyone watching.
Your site, Bandcamp,
Bandzoogle, iTunes, Noisetrade
should all be linked up. 3. Use
free social media platforms to
spread the word about your
show. 4. Have a something set
up to receive donations for the
performance. Even if someone
isn't going to buy your music
right now, they might donate a
micro amount to support the
live show. 5. Rinse and repeat
the following month, and the
month after that, and the
month after that.... There are
other things you can do along
with this type of event that can
get you more exposure and
more income: have people
follow you Favebook page,
follow you on Spotify, Twitter.
If you're producing a record,
set up a club subscription so
that people can get exclusive
access to your creative process
and be "insiders" who get
special performances of new
material, sneak peeks into your
studio time, special messages
when something interesting
happens, etc. Just some ideas
to help the struggling musician
build some momentum and
hopefully income.
www.andrewtlocke.com/music
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