If you’ve never made money as a musician, this could be the year you join the ranks. Assuming the experience of trying to make some money this way doesn’t break you; maybe your goals grow to trying to make a full time living as an indie artist.
The article from Two Story Melody, titled “10 Ways to Make Money as a Musician in 2024,” offers practical advice for musicians looking to monetize their craft. Unlike many articles that promise unrealistic earnings, this piece focuses on achievable, incremental financial gains through music.
It emphasizes the balance between the artistic and business sides of music, acknowledging the challenges independent artists face in managing expenses like equipment, studio time, and production costs. The article provides a list of ten actionable strategies for musicians to generate income:
- Play Live Shows: Highlighted as the most common and effective way to earn money, based on a survey of 75 musicians.
- Start a Patreon: Encourages leveraging fan support through exclusive content and experiences.
- Sell Merch: Suggests creating and selling physical products like t-shirts, vinyl records, and posters.
- Sync Licensing: Involves selling music for use in movies, TV shows, and video games.
- Music Composition for Podcasts: Proposes writing theme songs or compositions for the growing podcast industry.
- Music Composition for Live Performances: Recommends composing or performing music for events like dance recitals and fashion shows.
- Music Consulting for Indie Artists: Advises experienced musicians to offer guidance and lessons learned to up-and-coming artists.
- Personalized Music Messages: Suggests creating custom music messages for special occasions.
- Host an Open Mic Night: Encourages organizing and hosting open mic nights to build community and earn income.
- Work at Local Venue: Recommends working at a venue to learn about the industry and make connections.
The article concludes by encouraging musicians to explore these avenues, emphasizing that starting is the hardest part but momentum builds over time. It’s a call to action for musicians to monetize their passion in practical, incremental ways, rather than chasing overnight success.
Source: 10 Ways to Make Money as a Musician in 2024 | Two Story Melody
