Ways To Monetize Your Music…

Generally, musicians do what they do because they love it. The creative process runs through their veins, and it is an itch that needs to be scratched.

I don’t want to sound mercenary here, but…

It is super important to make money from your music to survive and continue making more!

So never feel bad about wanting to monetize your art. You need to live, eat, and pay rent like everyone else – you are not selling your soul by asking to be paid for doing what you do best.

So stop playing for ‘exposure’, and know your worth! You are doing a job and need to be compensated for your time and expertise.

Previously, we have discussed How To Create a Music Marketing Budget With No Upfront Costs.

But, there is more than one way to monetize your music and talent.

So have a read below and make sure you are not missing opportunities to make creating music your day job …

1. Streaming payments from sound recordings 

How: Any time your music is streamed (worldwide).

How do you get the money: Your music distributor. (For example; CD Baby, Distrokid, ReverbNation, LANDR, TuneCore, RouteNote, OneRpm, Ditto.)

2. Cash from your sound recordings 

How: Any time your tracks are downloaded (worldwide).

How do you get the money: Your music distributor. (For example; CD Baby, Distrokid, ReverbNation, LANDR, TuneCore, RouteNote, OneRpm, Ditto.)

3. Mechanical royalties – physical manufacturing 

How: When your original music is pressed on vinyl, CD, or cassette.

How do you get the money: Through the mechanical agencies directly or your publishing rights administrator.

4. Mechanical royalties – downloads 

How: When your original tunes are bought from an international download store.

How do you get the money: Through the mechanical agencies directly or your publishing rights administrator.

5. Performance royalties – radio airplay 

How: When your original songs are played on the radio (AM/FM).

How do you get the money: Through your publishing rights administrator. 

6. Performance royalties – sync placements 

How: When your original songs are broadcast on TV shows, films, Games, Commercials, etc. 

How do you get the money: Through your publishing rights administrator. 

7. Performance royalties – live performances 

How: Any time you perform your original music live, or they’re played in a public space.

How do you get the money: Through your publishing rights administrator. 

8. Social video monetization cash 

How: When your original songs are used in videos on platforms like Instagram and TikTok.

How do you get the money: Through your music distributor or social video monetization service.

9. YouTube Content ID money

How it’s generated: When your music appears in monetized YouTube videos.

How do you get the money: Through your music distributor or YouTube monetization service.

10. YouTube Partner Program revenue 

How: From ad revenue and YouTube Premium subscriptions.

How do you get the money: Through YouTube.com. 

11. Sell physical media 

How: Selling your vinyl, CDs, and tapes through distribution programs, on a website or at record stores.

How do you get the money: From the retailer if you’re selling directly or from your music distributor.

12. Fees – playing on session recordings 

How: Playing in-studio sessions with other musicians.

How do you get the money: Directly from the person/people who hired you.

13. Fees – engineering work 

How: By producing, mixing or mastering music.

How do you get the money: Directly from the person/people who hired you. 

14. Live performance payments 

How: Ticket sales or door fees at gigs.

How do you get the money: From the promoter or venue.

15. Upfront sync rate for your master recording 

How: From sync placements in film, TV, commercials or games.

How do you get the money: From the production company that licensed your music or from your licensing service.

16. Licensing beats 

How: From making and selling your beats for other artists to use in their music.

How do you get the money: From the artist or label licensing your beat.

17. Membership subscriptions 

How: From fans signing up for subscriptions, either directly or through platforms like Patreon or Bandcamp.

How do you get the money: From the platform where you’re offering your subscription (or directly) 

18. Crowdfunding

How: From fans contributing to a fund for you to record a new album or tour. (You can use sites such as Kickstarter, Indiegogo, ArtistShare, and Patreon).

How do you get the money: From the crowdfunding platform you choose.

19. Tipping – Livestreams

How: From fans tipping during your live streams. (For example, Paypal, Venmo, Cashapp, Facebook Pay, Buy Me A Coffee).

How do you get the money: From your live streaming platform.

20. Sponsorship and endorsement deals 

How: From companies or brands that are affiliated with you. This could be music equiptment, instruments, clothing, etc.

How do you get the money: Directly from the company that is endorsing you.

21. Virtual tipping 

How: From fans contributing to your virtual tip jar on social media platforms. (For example, Paypal, Venmo, Cashapp, Facebook Pay, Buy Me A Coffee).

How do you get the money: Directly from the platforms.

22. Teaching what you love

How: By teaching in-person or virtual lessons.

How do you get the money: Directly from the people you teach.

23. Selling courses 

How: By teaching courses – For example, how to play an instrument at different levels, beginner, intermediate, pro.

How do you get the money: Through the website or platform where the course is hosted. (For example; Udemy, Skillshare, Teachable, Podia, Thinkific, Kajabi, Learnworlds, Mighty Networks, Pathwright).

24. Freelancing skills 

How: Hiring out your skills – teaching, session work, live performances, weddings.

How do you get the money: Through the people who employ you.

We hope these ideas have given you a greater understanding on how you can monetize your skills. There is money in the music industry – you just have to know where to find it. Get started today!

FVMusicBlog October 2022