How to make money as a musician
Do you hear from all sides that you need to find a normal job, and the neighbors knock on your door in the evenings asking you to be quieter? Then we are almost certain that you are a guitarist, drummer or vocalist. How to make money as a musician if you want to connect your life with the business you love?
Most of the musicians thought about how not to die of hunger and make money on their talent. Many were told that “you can’t even earn a living on this", “this is not a profession”, “go to law school”, etc. This used to be partly true, but with the advent of the Internet, the music industry has changed, and therefore the ways to monetize your hobby.
Nevertheless, it seems to many that it is impossible for a novice musician to earn money, you must first become a famous artist. Only after that they will begin to invite to perform, write music for advertising and cinema. In fact, this is not so: there are many ways to get money. Keep in mind, however, that these are business options, meaning they require a time and financial investment. So let’s get ideas!
Business Ideas for a Musician
Sell Content
What content to sell? Beatmaking, i.e. arrangements, beats in a certain style, gostrodakshn, i.e. creating and selling songs, sampling, i.e. recording unique sounds. Music can be uploaded to well-known sites: beats on, for example, beatmaker.tv, songs on EDM Ghost production, samples in stores like Loopmaster.
In addition, you can promote through social networks, using targeting and other advertising. This method gives great opportunities with minimal investment, but few people use it. Everyone thinks about who needs their music. So, there are those who need it: vocalists who do not play instruments, film producers, artists who are easier to buy than to make themselves. Get started now: All you need is a computer, sound card, microphone and headphones.
Blog on You Tube
Create a channel with unique content and share your experience. The life of many artists is reduced to the passage of musical circles of hell. First they finish a music school, then a conservatory or courses, then they play in an orchestra and return to a music school as a teacher. You won’t live long on the wages that are usually paid there.
You can do everything differently: shoot humorous or educational videos on your YouTube channel. This is a great idea for those who are thinking about how a musician can make money on the Internet. Start a show about how and what you learn, review sound recordings, teach people how to play music from movies… You can do anything! Yes, this is a long way, you may have to work for several years without getting anything. On the other hand, the income of popular bloggers reaches a million a month, and this motivates them to start thinking more broadly.
Streams and lessons
First, you can open an online school: this requires skills, time and money. It is important to think over the concept, create a platform, test the product, launch advertising. Secondly, the first thing you can think about is how a musician can make money on streams. This is a very convenient place to start: broadcast on YouTube, attract an audience that will invest in your content. As soon as you start receiving at least the minimum amount of money for you, think about what other training formats people will be interested in. By the way, you can ask about it directly on one of the streams and see what people answer in the comments.
Concerts and sales
Arrange live concerts: look for profitable venues, negotiate with them, bring people. An additional source of money is sales. Previously, at every concert, musicians sold CDs and signatures. Now iTunes, Apple Music, Spotify and other digital platforms are more relevant: keep in mind, however, that they charge a commission of up to 30%. Moreover, you can only get there through distributors, such as ONErpm or Label Worx.
Another option is to sell vinyl records. Retro turntables have regained popularity: people buy vinyl for themselves as a souvenir, or as a gift for someone. If you are already known at least in narrow circles, sell merch: T-shirts, sketchbooks and other branded items.
Events
This is a huge market, which includes weddings, graduations, corporate parties and other holidays. Everyone wants to see “Imagine dragons”, Polina Gagarina or Oxxxymiron on stage, but not everyone can pay several million for a performance.
During the holidays, mostly covers are played. Any genre can be: jazz, rock, hip-hop, pop, rap, classical, electronic, etc. The main thing is a bright, memorable presentation. The fees for performing in Moscow start from 10,000 🪙 and go up to 100,000 🪙 if the musicians are well known. In the resort regions, prices are the same, and sometimes higher, in the regions, salaries are somewhat more modest.
Keep in mind that the work is seasonal: most of the events in bars, hotels and other venues take place in May-October. If you advance, you can earn for the whole year in a season: run social networks, run ads, distribute business cards, participate in festivals and contests.
Recording studio and label
We combine two businesses into one item, because the creation of both will require very good knowledge of the industry, money and a fair amount of nerves. As a rule, you have to deal with the objection "I’m my own producer, and my house is my studio."
In addition to sound recording, the studio rents out premises, and also sells audio content and sound design. On the basis of the studio, you can create a label: you need a team, knowledge of marketing and excellent taste. The bottom line is to promote young musical talent and get a percentage of the profits.
This business option is suitable for experienced people who have tried themselves in many ways and know a lot from the inside. You will have to invest from 500 thousand to a million for renting premises, marketing and other tools. It is important to know how the business works, where the market is heading, what people want. It will be a complex project, which, however, can be scaled up and will bring big money in the long run.