October 20, 2023
Editorial GuidelinesYi-Jane is a writer for SideHustles.com. In addition to her writing and...
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Become a Music TeacherEasiest
BuskHighest Paying
Get Sync PlacementsLike many people, you may have been creating, playing, and listening to music your whole life, but have you ever thought of turning your love for music into a job?
It may seem too good to be true in today’s world, where it feels like full-time artists are few and far between and dream jobs are always just out of reach—but thankfully, that’s not the case. We’ll outline the most realistic ways to make money as a musician or music lover.
This may be the most difficult money-making approach for musicians, but it can also be one of your most lucrative options. The trick is making it happen.
Record labels are more likely to offer you a record deal if you already have a loyal fan base and you demonstrate the potential to reach higher levels of success. They may even pay you an advance and cover costs related to releasing and selling your music.
If you’re new to the music industry and are still somewhat unknown, you’ll need to start by creating a killer demo. Perform as often as you can to establish a fan base, and focus on making connections in the music industry. In a sense, your success is going to be as much about who you know as it is about your musical talent.
Streaming is one of the most common ways for famous and lesser-known musicians alike to make money nowadays. In fact, the Recording Industry Association of America (RIAA) reported that streaming was the largest revenue stream of the music industry in 2022, reaching a record high of 84%. 1
But how do artists make money from streaming? To earn royalties, you need to upload your music to a streaming platform, such as Apple Music, Spotify, Tidal, or Amazon Music. Unfortunately, many streaming platforms don’t currently allow artists to upload their music on their own.
You’ll probably have to work with a distributor to help you upload your music. They may charge a one-time fee or take a portion of your revenue. Therefore, exactly how much money you can make from streams depends on your contract terms with your distributor.
In 2021, Apple Music claimed that their average rate per play is $0.01. 2 Evidently, you won’t be able to get rich from streams unless your music is a rare hit, but your royalties can still accumulate over time, and you may gain exposure on those platforms.
In the digital age, it’s undeniably harder than it used to be to make money by selling hard copies of your music. But that doesn’t mean it’s not possible. All you need is a group of fans who are willing to support you.
There are countless ways to advertise and sell CDs of your music. You can sell them on the street, on your own website, or through a digital marketplace. You can even sell copies at your live shows. This is also a good opportunity to engage with your fans in person while generating more income.
Busking, or street performance, involves playing music in a public space and waiting for passersby to give you money. For best results, pick a busy location with a lot of foot traffic, such as tourist destinations or local farmer’s markets.
When you perform, place your instrument’s case or a tip jar in front of you for people to drop change inside it. Consider also setting up a sign with your name, social media accounts, and ways to tip you.
With the rise of contactless payment, it’s worth putting your PayPal, Venmo, and/or Cash App QR codes on your busking sign. Before you take your talents to the streets, remember to check if your city has any regulations on busking.
Although busking isn’t always lucrative work, it’s possible to earn above minimum wage. You’ll also build confidence and get your name out there. Many household names actually started out busking, including Ed Sheeran, Tracy Chapman, and Passenger!
Playing gigs is one of the funnest ways to make money as an independent artist. When you’re just starting out, you’ll have to put in the work to actively find gigs instead of sitting back and waiting for someone to book you.
Start local by researching local bars, cafes, wedding venues, music festivals, and other establishments that hire musicians. Try to pinpoint ones that most match your musical style. Once you’ve come up with a list of potential venues, contact them by phone, by email, or in person to see what opportunities they have.
To expand your search, try signing up for online platforms and gig sites like the ones below:
For many of these sites, you’ll need to create an artist profile and upload an electronic press kit (EPK), which is a kind of digital resume for musicians. You’ll then either bid for gigs, submit applications, or get contacted by people who think you’re a good fit for a particular show.
Under US copyright law, you are owed money in the form of performance royalties any time a business plays music you wrote in public. This includes any time your music is performed live or broadcasted (e.g., on the radio, on television, or in movies).
Typically, the business that’s playing the song or holding the performance is responsible for paying the royalties. They’ll pay money to a performing rights organization (PRO), which will distribute that money to you.
To make money this way, you need to sign up with a PRO. Currently, the main PROs in the US are BMI, ASCAP, and SESAC. However, you need an invitation to join SESAC, so BMI and ASCAP are the go-tos for new musicians. 3 To ensure you earn public performance royalties when you do live performances, create a setlist for every concert you do and report it to your PRO.
A sync placement, or synchronization placement, is when your music is used in visual media, such as a movie, video game, or TV show. Anyone who wants to use your music for their project has to pay for the following two licenses:
Thankfully, your music is automatically copyrighted as soon as you record it in an audio file or notate it in sheet music or a digital file. This means as long as it’s really your music, you already own the rights to it and can get paid when people use it.
How much you can earn from a single sync placement varies from project to project, but anecdotal reports online suggest it’s possible to earn $5,000–$10,000 per placement. Various factors come into play when negotiating fees, including the type of visual media and how your music is being used.
Music supervisors typically find music for a specific project and then reach out to the artist or the sync licensing agency that represents them. If you own the masters and publishing rights to your songs, you can also pitch them to music supervisors yourself.
Just beware that this money-making strategy is particularly competitive. Your chances will be much better if you have an inside connection or you’re signed with a record label that can pitch tracks for you.
A music supervisor is responsible for finding the right songs for films, TV shows, commercials, or video games and securing the necessary music licenses. In some cases, a music supervisor may hire a composer to write new songs for a project altogether.
You don’t need a music degree to become a music supervisor, but you should have sufficient music knowledge to be able to spot the right songs and work with composers. Knowing the ins and outs of how music licensing works is also crucial to this job.
Although most music supervisors work as freelancers, some are employed by production companies. Consider doing an internship with a music publisher or label to jumpstart your career.
A good way to network and get job opportunities is to join the Guild of Music Supervisors, which is a nonprofit organization that offers resources to music supervisors and professionals who work in related fields.
In addition to doing live concerts, many musicians also offer online shows on live streaming platforms. This is one of the best ways to make money with music online. Just like with in-person performances, you sell tickets for live stream events to your fans—the main difference is that you have to send them a link to tune in.
Here are some of the best live stream platforms for musicians:
Some live streaming platforms let eligible account holders earn tips, which can come in various forms. For instance, plenty of people make money on TikTok by accepting LIVE Gifts from fans. You just have to be at least 18 years old and live in a covered region. 4
Social media platforms are a great place for musicians to promote their music, connect with their fans, and attract new listeners. Even better, there are several ways to generate money on these platforms:
Good social media platforms for musicians include Facebook, YouTube, TikTok, Twitter, and Tumblr. But any social media account that gains traction among the public has monetization potential.
Some artists are great performers but simply don’t have a knack for writing good songs. If you have a gift for songwriting and are willing to let someone else perform your work, this is one way you can shine.
Undeniably, it’s nearly impossible to get your music to major artists if you’re new to the industry. That said, you can start by writing for smaller artists and gradually build up your reputation from there.
Meanwhile, continue to network and hone your songwriting skills by practicing and taking in feedback whenever possible. Making connections in the industry and being skilled at your craft are key to landing consistent gigs.
One way to monetize music is to sell pieces you’ve written. Unless you’re writing for artists, you generally won’t sell full songs. However, there are other types of music you can create and sell online to companies and even musicians:
Think about what you have to offer and do some research online on your target audience and the best places to sell your creations. For instance, aside from your own website, BeatStars, Traktrain, and Airbit are some good places to sell beats online.
Music teachers are always in demand. As long as you have something valuable to pass on, there’s someone out there who’s willing to pay to learn from you.
You may have never considered teaching as an option if you don’t have a formal education, but the good news is that you can become a music teacher without a degree. While you won’t be able to teach music in a school, you can still give one-on-one or group lessons. You can offer private lessons in person or teach music online.
As a music teacher, your teaching skills are just as important as your music knowledge. If you’ve never taught music in the past, do research about teaching before you start looking for students.
Unlike standard music teaching, selling online music courses lets you generate a passive income. It also allows you to establish a larger and broader client base. Students who like to learn at their own pace may prefer this teaching method over in-person lessons.
As you can imagine, having good video and audio quality is essential when it comes to creating online music courses. It’s a good idea to rent out a high-quality recording studio to record your courses if you don’t have a professional recording space at home.
Think about the format of the courses you want to offer. For instance, in addition to selling single courses that stand alone, you can also create a series of courses and sell them as a package. Other potential products to sell include sheet music and gift certificates for your courses.
You can sell your courses on your own website or on an online course platform, such as Skillshare, Udemy, or Soundslice.
Although scarce in number and in size, there are music grants on offer for different types of projects. Do research on them and make a list of the ones you qualify for. Once you’ve narrowed down your options, begin putting together relevant materials for your application.
In addition to basic information like your artist bio and project proposal, you’ll likely have to present a thorough marketing plan. Start preparing your application early so you don’t miss the deadline!
Selling your music on digital music stores is a relatively simple way to sell your music online. Fans will be able to immediately access your music, and you can also get exposure to new listeners.
Here are a few of the most popular digital music stores to check out:
Getting your tracks on multiple platforms and online stores will help you maximize your earning potential.
Session musicians are hired on a short-term basis to back up a main artist in a recording session or live performance. While they typically aren’t permanent band members, they may be invited to go on tour with an artist or band.
To find session gigs, market yourself online and reach out to local independent artists, producers, and recording studios. Note that being able to play more than one instrument can give you a leg up in landing gigs.
Many musicians make money by doing live cover shows for big events. Working as a function band, party band, wedding singer, wedding band, or other event musician may not sound like the most glamorous side gig if you’re a songwriter or creator, but if your goal is to earn money, it’s an option you definitely shouldn’t overlook.
To give you an idea of just how much you could earn, one survey of wedding couples found that they spent around $4,500 on average for their wedding bands, with some paying out $10,000 or more. Granted, some of this money goes toward travel expenses and may be split between numerous band members, but it goes to show the high earning potential of this side gig for musicians.
In addition to the sites mentioned above for finding live performance gigs, the platforms below are popular options people turn to when looking for musicians to play at various events:
As an event musician, you could play at birthday parties, formal events, funerals, bat mitzvahs—you name it. The key is being flexible. People will likely request that you play certain songs or cover other artists.
The main responsibility of a music transcriber is to listen to live performances or recordings of songs and write down what they hear. They may write down different types of musical notations and even lyrics, depending on the client’s requests.
As a music transcriber, you should possess the following skills and knowledge:
You’ll need transcription software, such as Transcribe!, ScoreCloud, or AnthemScore. These tools slow down the music, giving you time to break it down and transcribe it.
From music publishers and amateur musicians to orchestras and cover bands, plenty of people in the music industry are looking to hire freelance music transcribers. Do research on the notation style preferences of your target client and hone your skills for that specific style.
A crucial part of editing podcasts is sound design. If you’re proficient in music production, you can try your hand at a podcast post-production editing gig.
Cutting out redundant words and pauses, creating a memorable intro and outro, and adding suitable music and sound effects are some of the key tasks involved in podcast editing.
You’ll also be responsible for mixing and mastering the podcast audio to achieve optimal sound quality. Learn from professionals, watch YouTube tutorials, or take online lessons about podcast editing before you apply for jobs.
There are plenty of ways to make money on YouTube with music. One option is to post videos of covers or original songs on your YouTube channel. Many famous musicians have launched their careers this way, and it can help you grow your fan base.
You can also post music or lyric videos and use ads to earn money through the YouTube Partner Program (YPP), but you’ll need to get the necessary music licenses. Popular songs that are most likely to attract viewers are typically copyrighted, so you’ll need to reach out to the copyright owner (usually the artist or their publisher) and ask for permission to use the song.
If you’ve built up a large following on YouTube, you can also earn additional money through paid sponsorships and affiliate links. However, you should still consider the hurdles involved in getting music licensing before you commit to this side hustle.
Many music promotion platforms, such as SoundCampaign and Playlist Push, will pay you to review music from independent artists. But there is a catch: You need to already be a fairly established independent curator on a streaming platform.
For instance, to be able to review music on SoundCampaign, you must have at least one playlist with 20+ songs, 1,000+ organic followers, and a proven track record of helping new artists and songs gain exposure. 5
Depending on your experience, you can earn up to $14 with SoundCampaign and up to $15 with Playlist Push per song review. 5 6
Blogging about various music topics is a great music side hustle option if you’re knowledgeable about music and enjoy writing. There are a few different ways to make money blogging. For example, you could add affiliate links to your blog posts, put ads on your site, writing sponsored posts, or sell your own products or services related to music.
Here are some ideas for your blog:
You don’t need to be a music professional to write about many of these topics, but you should have a good understanding of them so you can publish quality content. People will only revisit your site if they find your content interesting and informative.
Learn about search engine optimization (SEO) best practices and apply them to your blog. Doing so will help your blog rank for higher positions on Google, which has the dual benefit of increasing your earning potential and guiding relevant users to your site.
Becoming a music manager is a good job option if you have excellent interpersonal skills and you know all the ins and outs of the music industry.
Aspiring music managers often get a degree in business management and intern at a record label or music management company. Many also establish their own management company.
Here are the core responsibilities you’d have as a music manager:
As is the case in most professions, a music manager’s salary depends on their experience and location. According to Indeed, the average base salary for music managers in September 2023 was $38,969 per year (around $20 per hour). 7 You’ll likely make even more through commissions.
Recording studios play a crucial role in the music industry. Musicians need a professional studio to produce high-quality music, and you can provide that space for them.
If you don’t have the funds to open a professional studio, you can always open a budget home studio first and then expand it into a professional studio once you’ve generated enough profit.
Depending on your location, you could charge around $30 per hour for a budget home studio or upwards of $100 per hour for a well-equipped studio with good acoustics. To set a fair rate, do research on how much different types of recording studios in your area are charging.
If you have old instruments or music gear lying around collecting dust, you might as well sell or rent them to make some extra money. Be sure to properly clean or repair each instrument before putting it on the market.
If you decide to sell your instruments online, eBay and Reverb are good platforms to start with. Be sure to upload a clear photo of each item so that potential buyers can see its current condition. Some brick-and-mortar second-hand instrument stores may also be willing to buy your instruments or music gear.
Alternatively, you can rent out your instruments and music gear instead of selling them. There are several online rental platforms you can use, such as FriendWithA, RentMyInstrument, and BuyOrBorrow Music.
A lot of people play an instrument, but not all of them know how to fix a broken one. If you know how to repair instruments and music gear, you can make a small business out of your expertise if you live in an area with sufficient demand.
Introduce yourself to local musicians and use word-of-mouth to advertise your services. In addition, promote your services on social media and hand out flyers. It’s also worth setting up a website for your repair services so people can find you online.
Even with the rising popularity of music streaming, hardcore fans and collectors are still willing to buy physical copies of music. If you have a music collection you’re willing to part with, then selling your old records could be an easy way to make some extra money.
You can price your CDs, vinyl records, and cassette tapes anywhere from a few dollars to thousands of dollars, depending on their condition and rarity. Have a professional take a look at your collection if you’re unsure how much it’s worth.
Making money with music is a great side hustle if you’re passionate about music. Nevertheless, like the case with any creative discipline, music-related jobs have caveats and drawbacks you need to be aware of.
The unfortunate reality is that the music industry is especially prone to scams. Scammers often prey on hard-working musicians who are looking for their big break or just a way to make ends meet.
When confronted with an offer that seems too good to be true, follow these tips to protect yourself:
Professional scammers can be incredibly convincing, so don’t rely on first impressions alone. Always do your due diligence to protect yourself.
First and foremost, you need to have solid songwriting skills and be able to deliver high production quality. Secondly, you need to think about your audience. Creating music with relatable lyrics or a catchy melody is important if your goal is to sell your music.
One last thing to stress is the importance of publicity. Your music won’t market itself no matter how great it is. In today’s highly competitive music industry, you need to establish a strong online presence, network, and collaborate with other people in the industry if you want to succeed and make good money as a musician.
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