Making money through music is a difficult thing to do, but it can be done. There are many different ways you make make money with music and the way you make your living will depend on what type of musician you are (do you play an instrument well enough to make a living as a musician? Do you sing?) and what musical skills or talents that you have.
However, these aren’t the only ways you can make money through music. In fact, there are lots of different ways that could work for you. Here are 20 different ways you can make money through music.
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Make Money Through Music
Before we list 20 ways that you can make money through music, it’s important to note that make money through music is not always a way to make fast cash. The ways that you make money should be thought out carefully and considered for what type of musician you are. That will help you decide how to best make money through music.
Teach Music Lessons
One of the best ways make money through music is to teach lessons. If you are a good musician who can play an instrument or sing, you can make money by teaching lessons at a music school, privately in your home, or through teaching online.
If you want to make make money with music as a teacher by yourself, make sure that you have all the proper licenses and certifications to teach. In most places, you’ll need this before anyone will hire you to teach them music.
Create Music
If you’re a talented musician who likes performing music, one of the best ways to make money through music is by creating your own songs. It doesn’t even need to be original. You can create covers or remixes of popular songs if that’s what you prefer.
Or, if you want to work on something more original, you could write and record entire albums all under your name. This can be pretty difficult but it’s also incredibly rewarding.
Perform Shows/Concerts
Another great way to make money with music is by performing shows and concerts. Going on tour can be a fun experience for many musicians because it gives you a break from the day-to-day life of being at home playing around with instruments or creating new songs.
Tour dates vary from musician to musician, so keep this in mind when you think about working as a live performer and getting performance royalties. In general, you’ll have more tour dates during the summertime because it’s easier for people who are traveling to get away from their everyday lives every now and then. This means that winter could mean less tour dates, but it just depends on your preference and what type of music you do.
Create Music Videos
Another fun way to make money through music is by creating your own music videos. If you’re not talented enough to play an instrument or sing, don’t worry about it! Making a music video isn’t just for musicians. You can utilize social media and create comedic shorts for people to enjoy.
This type of work doesn’t always pay the bills but it can be very rewarding and enjoyable if you do it with friends and family members who want to be in the video with you.
Sell Merchandise/CDs/Tickets To Shows/Concerts
Selling merchandise to your fan club can be a great way to make money with music because it gives your fans the opportunity to buy something that they would love and it lets you take some of the proceeds for yourself. CDs, t-shirts, posters, and tickets are all things you could sell to help people recognize who you are as an artist or performer.
If you want to make money through music with merchandise royalities, just remember that your merch should always be well done so people will want to spend their hard earned money on them. That means that if you’re selling CD’s or records, don’t mess up or lose too many tracks because then people will have no reason to buy them.
License Your Music To Others
Many musicians make money through music by giving permission to other people or companies to license their songs for use in movies, TV shows, video games, or commercials. This means that you’re essentially selling the rights to your song(s) so that other companies can put them into their media content.
This tends to be a more profitable way of making money with music because it’s allowing someone else to take advantage of your hard work and talent by using it for something else. Some artists have even made millions of dollars from licensing alone.
Be Featured On Other Songs Or Albums
Another way to make money through music is by being featured on other songs or albums. For example, if you’re a talented rapper and another artist wants you to rap for them, they could either pay you or give you credit for allowing it. Either one could potentially help increase your following and popularity if done right.
If an artist is willing to feature you in one of their songs, it may be a good idea to do it because having your name next to theirs can add credibility and bring attention to both artists involved. Plus, the other artist probably already has a decent amount of following coming into the collaboration so adding their fans onto yours can turn out pretty well for everyone involved.
Play for Events Like Weddings
This type of work is a little different from the other ways to make money through music because it’s not as common. If you have an instrument and can play it well, you may be able to provide entertainment for weddings, funerals, or other events like these.
Most people don’t want their wedding day or funeral day to sound like your average party so this option is great to make some extra cash without requiring every single person at the event to hire you for it. You could charge per hour or per song if someone wants you around longer than expected which would still create a good opportunity for everyone involved.
It doesn’t always pay much but you’ll get more recognition and opportunities if you’re looking into things like this. You could even get sponsorships. If you can play, practice and learn new songs so you’re ready to go when the time comes.
Go On Tours Or Cruises With Other Musicians
If you know a few other musicians who sound great and can put on a show, you could go on tours or cruises with them in order to make money through music. Some companies will pay for bands/groups to play at their venue or event so that’s where tours and cruises come in.
These types of jobs usually last anywhere from 7-15 days depending on how long the tour is meant to be and they also give people free room and board while they’re working which is convenient because it allows them to focus more on performing well rather than stressing about things like food or lodging. You could earn a decent amount of money if you get enough gigs booked but this isn’t something everyone should consider simply because it requires a lot of time and can sometimes be a hassle.
Create Your Own Website/YouTube Channel/Instagram Account
If you want to make money through music, it may be a good idea for you to create your own website/YouTube channel/Instagram account in order to get more exposure and try doing things like streaming live shows, selling merchandise, or putting up Patreon pages.
Creating your own website (I recommend using SiteGround to get started) can help with any of these things because it gives you a place that people don’t have to dig through in order to find something they’re interested in buying. It also looks professional and is great for showing off some of your best work.
YouTube and Instagram are just places where people can watch videos or look at pictures so if they decide to follow an artist on there, they’ll be notified when the artist makes new content available. They could click on it and end up watching a music video or listening to an album that they wouldn’t have found otherwise.
Patreon pages are like Kickstarter except instead of people donating money to help you create one specific thing (like a PDF download of your music), people can donate however much they want whenever they want so it works well for artists who release new tracks, movies, or even books over time. It’s really easy to set up and can be pretty effective if you’re the type of person who wants to work on multiple projects at once.
Be Featured On Other Websites
If you can produce music that sounds good to the average listener, you could upload your songs onto other websites in order to get more exposure. This is a great way for people who are just starting out to be heard by people beyond their social media circles and it’s easy to do if you have popular sites like SoundCloud or YouTube. You’ll need to create an account on these services in order to put your music up but after that, it should start getting shared around pretty quickly depending on how good it is.
It also works really well because websites can use your song without having to pay royalties simply because they’re hosting them online which means they make money whenever someone listens while you don’t have to worry about anything except making sure you’re creating music that sounds good.
Do A Musical Collaboration/Remix With Others
If you want to make money through music, doing a musical collaboration/remix is a good idea. You’ll need to sync up with someone else who’s interested in working with you and then upload the finished song onto one of the websites mentioned above so that more people can hear it.
You can’t do this with just anyone so you should choose someone who sounds good when they sing or play instruments and will mesh well with your own work. This could result in something really big if both of your songs are popular but even if not, it will get them out into the world for people to hear which is always better than putting effort into something that no one ever gets to experience.
Work for a Band
There are some musicians who actually end up working for bands, artists, or companies because it can be a lot of fun to see your name on the credits of someone else’s album or movie. There aren’t many famous people out there who would say no to adding another talented musician to their team so if you’re good enough, you could definitely make some connections by auditioning or just showing up with a portfolio that makes it clear how much you want this job.
Become A Music Teacher
If you have a talent for teaching others how to play instruments or sing, one of the easiest ways to make money through music is by becoming a music teacher. People always need more help learning things so even if you don’t have any famous connections, you’ll be able to find students who are willing to pay just about anything in order to get better at what they’re trying to do.
Teaching is also great because it doesn’t require too much work on your part after your students are enrolled. You just have to make sure that they understand what’s going on and then let them do the rest while you take care of things like scheduling lessons and processing payments.
Get Paid To Conduct Interviews
If you’re someone who’s really good at conducting interviews, there are a lot of people out there who will want to hire you as long as you have the right type of personality for this line of work. It can be hard to find someone who fits their project and budget exactly which means that even if you don’t make any money on one job, your chances of finding another one might be pretty high.
There are always musicians who need publicity and getting interviewed is an easy way for them to get more exposure so they’ll usually pay whatever you ask in order to talk about what they love.
Be A Music Journalist/Blogger
There’s always a demand for music journalists and bloggers who can share their knowledge with the world. If you’re good at reviewing albums or concerts, hanging out with musicians during press tours, or just talking about what goes on behind the scenes of your favorite band’s career, people will want to hire you to write blog posts, articles, and more online.
You might need some connections in order to become a successful music author or blogger but if you show up with enough experience level under your belt and prove how passionate you are about writing about music, it shouldn’t be too hard to get hired by one of the websites that rely on this type of content in order to survive.
Play On Cruise Ships/Tour Buses As A Guitarist
After you’ve gotten a little bit better at playing an instrument, it can be fun to try and get gigs that allow you to travel and play for people on a very regular basis. One of the most popular ways to do this is by joining a cruise ship as their resident musician or by playing on tour buses as they make their way around the country.
You’ll still need connections in order to land either of these jobs but if you manage to find someone who’s willing to hire you, it will be well worth all of your hard work because not only will you get paid pretty well, but also pick up some valuable experience that might come in handy later on down the line once your career starts heating up.
Become A Music Director For A Big Venue
If you have a talent for conducting and good experience playing in a band, there are a lot of people out there who would love to hire you as their music director or conductor. You might not be able to work with your favorite artists but the fact that you could potentially make over $100,000 per year means that it’s definitely worth trying to get hired by one of the biggest venues you can find.
Become A Music Supervisor On Movies/TV Shows
Being a music supervisor for movies and TV shows is an extremely competitive industry but if you have the right connections, can prove that you have all of the necessary skills to do the job, and don’t mind dealing with a ton of rejection on a regular basis, it could be something worth trying.
These kind of jobs often come from referrals so you’ll definitely need to find someone who knows what they’re talking about in order for this type of career track to work out. Once your foot is in the door though, there’s nothing stopping you from building up a pretty impressive resume which means that finding similar jobs should become much easier over time.
Get Paid To DJ On Your Own Or At Parties
If you’re a talented DJ or just have a knack for being able to find the right track to play at the right time, this could be an amazing way to make money through music.
Even if you don’t have a ton of connections, there are still a lot of people out there who will want to hire a DJ as long as they can trust that their guests will end up having an absolutely amazing time because of your work.
Work At A Record Store
Even though the music industry is changing more and more with each passing year, there are still some people out there who love physical copies of albums. If you have a good relationship with local record stores or know someone who would be willing to hire you, it can be easy enough to get hired as a part-time employee to sell vinyl (or CD baby lol).
While you probably won’t make too much money doing this kind of work, it can be a lot of fun because you’ll end up becoming extremely knowledgeable about various genres that are popular at the moment. Even if you’ve never been into music that much before, working in a record store has the potential to change your tune pretty quickly.
Conclusion
While being a professional musician is definitely one of the most popular ways to make money through music, it’s certainly not the only way. If you love writing about music or get really excited by learning new things about your favorite artist, there are plenty of opportunities for you out there if you’re willing to keep on trying even when all signs point towards failure.
FAQ – Make Money Through Music
How much money can you make from making music?
The amount of money you can make through making music depends on a lot of factors including what kind of work you’re doing, whether or not recorded music is involved, popularity, etc. Some musicians are able to make millions per year while others struggle just to pay their bills every month.
How does music make money in 2021?
The music industry is changing more and more every single year so it’s honestly impossible to tell what the overall landscape will look like in 2021. While there are still people who buy physical copies of albums, technology has made streaming much more popular which means that musicians need to be able to adapt quickly or else they’ll end up losing out on a lot of potential money.
How do musicians make money online?
There are a number of ways for musicians to make money online including selling their own digital content, through mechanical royalties, ticket sales, getting paid by brands in order to feature them in music videos or songs, etc. Over the last decade, it’s become much easier for anyone who can create good enough content to start making money off of it so that gives musicians yet another path to choose from.
How can I make money just by listening to music?
While there definitely isn’t a way to make money by simply listening to music, there are a lot of opportunities for people who want to turn their passion for music into an actual career. There’s plenty of work out there as far as PR and journalism goes so it really just depends on how much effort you’re willing to put in and where you want to end up working.
How do I can get money in music industry?
Getting money in the music industry can be a lot more difficult than you might think at first. Unless you’re willing to invest a significant amount of time and energy into working your way up from the very bottom, it’s going to end up taking quite a bit before you can make any money as an artist. This is especially true if you want to sign with record labels or music companies like AWAL, TuneCore, Symphonic Distribution, or Ditto Music.
How can a 16 year old musician earn money through music?
You can earn money through music as soon as you have enough skill to be able to perform in front of an audience. Even if you’re not yet good enough to play at venues, there are plenty of opportunities for musicians who are younger than 16 who are just starting out to make some money by performing at school dances, weddings, etc.
What does it take to make money in the music industry?
A lot of people think that they can make a ton of money in the music industry if only they had the chance to publish their songs. The thing about this industry is that it’s extremely competitive so you’re going to need more than just talent in order to find success. Without the right connections, getting your songs heard by big leagues might be nearly impossible so it’s important to stay persistent and keep trying.
How do music videos make money?
In order to make money from a music video, you either need to be already established as an artist or get signed onto a label that can pay for the production of videos on your behalf. Younger artists who are just starting out might not have too many opportunities when it comes to making money through music videos but they also shouldn’t give up since there are always exceptions to the rule.
How is money earned through music and how will musicians make money in the future?
Many musicians choose to see their music as a form of art rather than as a way to make money. That being said, there are plenty of ways for those who want to earn some cash through music to do so. Whether it’s from recording sales or getting paid by brands in order to mention them in songs or upload content that promotes their products, it’s possible to turn music into a money-making hobby.
How do artists make money from music videos?
Making money from music videos can be a lot more difficult than you might think. Unless you’re willing to invest a significant amount of time and energy into working your way up from the very bottom, it’s going to end up taking quite a bit before you can make any money as an artist.
How can a musician make money from concerts?
Getting money from concerts can be extremely difficult unless you’re already established as an artist so it’s definitely not the first way that any musician should choose to make money. A lot of musicians don’t expect for their music to become popular enough for them to perform at shows so they often keep their day jobs and put all of their focus into improving their skill rather than hoping that they’ll get discovered by big leagues one day.
How can a music producer make money?
Making money as a music producer can be extremely difficult unless you’re already established as an artist so it’s definitely not the first way that any new musicians should choose to make money. A lot of producers don’t expect for their work to become popular enough for them to perform at shows so they often keep their day jobs and put all of their focus into improving their skill rather than hoping that they’ll get discovered by big leagues one day.
How to make money streaming your music?
A lot of people think that they can make a ton of money in the music industry if only they had the chance to publish their songs. The thing about this industry is that it’s extremely competitive so you’re going to need more than just talent in order to find success. Without the right connections, getting your songs heard by big leagues might be nearly impossible so it’s important to stay persistent and keep trying, especially if you want to see your music on Apple music.
Many musicians choose to see their music as a form of art rather than as a way to make money. That being said, there are plenty of ways for those who want to earn some cash through music to do so. Whether it’s from recording sales or getting paid by brands in order to mention them in songs or upload content that promotes their products, it’s possible to turn music into a money-making hobby.
How can I earn money by uploading my music on the internet?
If you’re looking to make money by uploading your music on the internet, getting discovered is going to be one of your biggest challenges. Even if you manage to get noticed by someone who likes what they hear, you’ll still need a lot of luck in order to make any kind of real money. It takes time for songs to become popular enough for their songwriters to earn money through royalties so it’s important to stay persistent and keep trying.
How do artists make money through Spotify?
Many artists look at Spotify as a way to make a quick buck without putting in a lot of effort. The thing with the music industry is that it’s extremely competitive so you’re going to need more than just luck in order to find success. Without the right connections, getting your songs heard by big leagues might be nearly impossible so it’s important to stay persistent and keep trying.
It’s possible for artists to make money by uploading content on Spotify but it can take a while before you’re able to do so. There are plenty of musicians who give up after their first try because they believe that getting money from streaming platforms is impossible unless you’re already popular enough to get noticed quickly, but that’s just not the case. The only way to make money with your music is to keep uploading content and engaging your audience so you can get discovered by the right people over time.
How to make money from music 2021?
It’s not easy making money from music unless you’re already popular enough to get noticed quickly. The best thing for up-and-coming musicians to do is keep trying and uploading content on the internet until someone with the right connections takes notice because getting discovered by the right people will help you make a lot more money in the long run.
It’s possible for musicians who get discovered to make money by uploading content on places like Spotify and selling it as a form of art rather than treating every song like some kind of investment. If you’re struggling to stay motivated, just remember that the only way for musicians to really make money is by following their passion and selling what they love in order to earn enough money so they don’t have to work a regular 9-5 job.
How musicians make money when there is so much piracy?
Many musicians struggle to make money because everyone can simply pirate their music online for free. One of the best ways you can protect yourself is by making sure that your copyright is registered with websites like ASCAP or BMI. It’s also possible for you to earn more money from streaming services like Spotify because they pay out fixed fees every time someone listens to one of your songs.
How to make 100k in music?
The best way for musicians to earn money is by uploading content on the internet and hoping that someone with the right connections will take notice. If you’re not already popular, it could be difficult for you to earn anything unless someone with the ability to promote your music sees something special in what you do. You can increase your chances of success by putting in the work and practicing every day, even when you feel like giving up.
Staying motivated is important because musicians are more likely to make money by following their passion rather than treating it like some kind of investment. If your goal is to earn at least $100k through music in one year, you’re going to have to be patient until people start noticing your incredible talent. It definitely takes time to become successful, but you just have to keep uploading content and engaging your audience whenever possible.
How to make money as a musician online?
In order for musicians to make money from their music, it has to be uploaded on a site where people can listen to it with ease. This is the only way you will start making money in the long-run because there’s no point in wasting time trying to sell your songs or CDs unless you’ve already made a name for yourself.
It’s challenging for up-and-coming musicians to make a lot of money online because it takes a long time to build a reputation so people know who you are and what you do. If you want to increase your chances of success, it might be a good idea to upload at least one new song every month as this will help keep your audience engaged. If you want to make even more money, you need to figure out ways to connect with your audience and find out what they like so it’s easier for you to sell future songs based on their preferences. Another thing you could de is earn money by uploading songs.
Is it unrealistic to want to make a living off of music?
Many people struggle with the idea of making a living through music because it seems unrealistic. If you want to make money from your music, you have to be patient and realize that some musicians take years before they become successful.
You could potentially make money by uploading content on social media sites like Soundcloud where there are millions of users who are engaged with music, but you’ll need to make sure that your songs are actually great. You can increase your chances of success by making sure that you’re always putting out new content and engaging with fans whenever possible.
It’s important to stay motivated because musicians are more likely to make money by following their passion rather than treating every song like an investment.
