You may have heard that only musicians who tour eat good. There’s some truth to it, but it’s more feasible for big artists with solid fan-bases and enough hit songs to pull shows and crowds.
If you’re not there yet, you can diversify your strategy and use your brand to make money online.
Live streams
Live streaming has become popular since the COVID pandemic, making musicians become creative by setting up virtual shows, selling tickets and performing online for their fans. Something similar happened at Rolling Loud this year;people who couldn’t be at the festival but wanted to be a part of it paid for Prime Video membership to watch the performances.
Employing this tactic as an artist might help to reach fans outside your location. Even if you’re shy to charge fans and streamers, a virtual tip jar is an option. Anyone God touches their heart will drop something for you.
Streaming site revenue
Get a music distributor to distribute your songs to multiple streaming services and you can turn your streams into money (Nothing for you if you use streaming farms).
Also, scrap free download sites off your plans today.
Digital downloads
If you don’t use digital download sites like Bandcamp and Amazon Music, you can set up your website, upload your digital albums or singles and sell directly to your fans. No label, no middleman, no distro, just you.
Merch sale
Merch can be anything from physical (CDs, vinyls, t-shirts, hats, hoodies, stickers, et.) to digital NFTs, sheet music, stem files, etc.). You can package and put up items like for sale on a website.
Fan subscriptions
With a subscription option on your website, fans can subscribe and pay a monthly fee to access exclusive content like behind the scenes or rare footage, early access to new music, merch discount offers, etc. Charge a reasonable fee sha.
YouTube channel
If your music is used in a YouTube video that has an ad, YouTube ensures part of that ad money touches your hand because you’re the song’s rightful holder. You can also make money from the videos on your YouTube channel, but it depends on your subscribers and view numbers. The more, the merrier.
Social video monetisation
When your music is used in a video content on social media services like Facebook, TikTok and IG, some of it can reach you too. You just have to make sure you’ve enabled that with your distro.
Online music lessons
Whether you’re selling educational music materials (e-books, videos, audiobooks, etc) online to people who want to learn, or teaching music lessons through Google Meet or already-made video lessons — there’s money to be made. Just share great knowledge and unique perspectives.
Take a break from thinking about money alone. Come out to Burning Ram on Saturday where the biggest meat and grill party will happen. Tickets are still selling here.
