Jan 23, 2020

7 Tips On How To Earn Money With Your Music

Who wouldn’t want to make a living from music? Or at least make some decent money from it. It’s every musician’s dream. Unfortunately, it isn’t that easy to make money from your songs or live gigs – especially if you’re just starting your music career. But if you want to live your dream, keep at it! Here are our 7 tips on how to earn money with your music.

Most musicians earn money with music by live performances. And that brings us to the next question: what sort of fee can you charge for playing a gig? It really depends on the promoters and the size of the venue. The bigger the crowd, the higher the number of takings. The club will ask you: how many people will come to listen to your music? The fees depend on that. If you’re new to the game, you shouldn’t charge fees that are too high. The motto to remember here is “Every gig counts!”

1. Cooperate With Other Musicians

Have you ever considered working with other musicians – for example writing or composing/producing for them? It would help you make money faster than you think – for example through the GEMA share you would receive as the arranger/composer. In this way, you would be selling your product.

2. Digital Distribution

In the digital age, you should also consider how best to share your latest single or EP with the world. Portals like The Orchard or Ditto Music make it possible! Also, independent artists can get their music on Spotify & Co. Go ahead and add your songs to digital stores so that everyone can have access to them. As a gigmit user, you’ll get a discount at Ditto.

3. Merch

It’s no secret that audio recordings don’t sell as well as they used to. So get some cool merch to make up for it! Be creative and develop some original designs and motifs. You’ve got two options to sell them: either after the gig or online. The website spreadshirt.de allows you to share the profits when someone orders something via your website. And you don’t need to spend anything in advance.

4. Manage Other Musicians

Why don’t you take other musicians under your wings? As an artist, you already know how stressful performances can be. Everyone wants something and nothing goes right. No problem – this is where you come in. By becoming a tour manager and accompany bands on their tours, you’ll take care of everything for them. And in return, you can charge, or rather you should charge a set fee.

5. Ticketing

You’ve got your own homepage? You’re going on tour? You’ve got some cool gigs lined up? Then sell the tickets for your concerts via your own website or on social media. You just need a special ticketing system that you can add to your homepage using a special plugin.

6. Crowdfunding

If you want to bring out your next album, or you still need equipment or items for your stage, why not try to fund them via crowdfunding platforms such as Musicstarter / Startnext. You’ll be amazed at how many people are prepared to back your project.

7. Produce Remixes

You are creative. Then get to it! You have the material – you can be as creative as you like with it, and get to make some money in the process!

To sum up: it’s possible to earn money with your music. But it’s a lot of nice work to do. Try to get general contract work, licenced merchandising, music sales and lots of gigs. Good luck!


Speaking of gigs: We can help with that. HERE you will find our gig highlights.
If you already have a gigmit profile, check HERE if there are new stages for you.