Do you hear from all sides that you need to find a normal job and the neighbors knock on your door at night asking you to be quieter? So we're pretty sure you're a guitarist, drummer or vocalist. How to make money being a musician if you want to connect your life with the work you love?
Most musicians thought about how not to starve and make money from their talent. Many were told that "you can't even make a living at it", "this is not a profession", "go to law school", etc. This used to be partially true, but with the advent of the Internet, the music industry has changed and so have the ways to monetize your hobby.
However, it seems to many that it is impossible for a budding musician to make money; first you must become a famous artist. Only after that will they start to invite them to perform, write songs for advertising and cinema. In fact, it is not so: there are many ways to get money. Keep in mind, however, that these are business options, meaning they require an investment of time and money. So let's go ideas!
Ideas on how to make money being a musician
sell content
What content to sell? Beatmaking, i.e. arranging, beats in a certain style, gostrodakshn, i.e. creating and selling music, sampling, i.e. recording unique sounds. Music can be uploaded to popular websites: beats on, for example, beatmaker.tv, songs on EDM Ghost production, samples at stores like Loopmaster.
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In addition, you can promote through social media, using targeting and other advertising. This method offers great opportunities with minimal investment, but few people use it. Everyone thinks about who needs their music. Then there are those who need it: vocalists who don't play instruments, movie 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.
You Tube Blog
Create a channel with exclusive content and share your experience. The lives of many artists are reduced to passing through the musical circles of hell. First they finish a music school, then a conservatory or courses, then they play in an orchestra and go back to a music school as a teacher. You won't live long on the wages that are normally paid there.
You can do everything differently: record humorous or educational videos on your YouTube channel. This is a great idea for anyone who is 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 to play music from movies… You can do anything! Yes, this is a long way, you may have to work for several years without achieving anything. On the other hand, popular bloggers earn a million a month, which motivates them to start thinking more broadly.
Broadcasts and lessons
First, you can open an online school: this requires skills, time and money. It is important to reflect on the concept, create a platform, test the product, launch advertising. Second, the first thing you might think about is how a musician can make money from streams. This is a very convenient place to start: stream on YouTube, attract an audience that will invest in your content. Once you start getting 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 respond to in the comments.
concerts and sales
Organize live concerts: look for profitable venues, negotiate with them, bring people. An additional source of money is sales. Previously, at every show, musicians sold CDs and signed. Now iTunes, Apple Music, Spotify and other digital platforms are more relevant: remember, though, that they charge a commission of up to 30%. Also, you can only get there through distributors such as ONErpm or Label Worx.
Another option is to sell vinyl records. Retro turntables have gained popularity: people buy vinyl for themselves as a souvenir or as a gift for someone. If you're already known at least in narrow circles, sell products: t-shirts, notebooks, 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 afford to 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 brilliant and memorable presentation. Fees to perform in Moscow start at 10,000 reais and go up to 100,000 reais if the musicians are well known. In resort regions prices are the same and sometimes higher, in regions salaries are a little more modest.
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Keep in mind that work is seasonal: most events at bars, hotels and other venues take place in May-October. If you advance, you can earn all year in one season: manage social networks, run ads, distribute business cards, participate in festivals and contests.
Recording studio and record label
We've combined two businesses into one item, because creating both will require very good industry knowledge, money, and a lot of nerves. As a rule, you have to deal with the objection “I am my own producer, and my home is my studio”.
In addition to sound recording, the studio rents facilities and also sells audio content and sound design. Based on the studio, you can create a label: you need a team, marketing knowledge and excellent taste. The main objective is to promote young musical talents and get a percentage of the profits.
This business option is suitable for experienced people who have tried many ways and know a lot inside. You will have to invest 500K to 1M for renting premises, marketing and other tools. It's important to know how a business works, where the market is going, what people want. It will be a complex project, which, however, can be scaled up and will bring in a lot of money in the long run.