
Ways To Monetize Your Music …
It is super important to make money from your music so you can survive and continue to make more music!
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.
2. Cash from your sound recordings
How: Any time your tracks are downloaded (worldwide).
How do you get the money: Your music distributor.
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.
How do you get the money: From the crowdfunding platform you choose.
19. Tipping – Livestreams
How: From fans tipping during your live streams.
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.
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.
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.
How do you get the money: Through the website or platform where the course is hosted.
24. Freelancing skills
How: Hiring out your skills.
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.
FVMusicBlog July 2022
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