The tale of the struggling musician is one as old as time. But that story is turning around thanks to the wealth of online music platforms and streaming channels available today. If you love making tunes, there’s a good chance you want to know how to make money from music—and why wouldn’t you? Whether it’s your full-time job or a lucrative side gig, selling music online is a creative way to make money doing something you love.
We’ve compiled a comprehensive list of ways you can make money as a musician so you can diversify your income. Doing this removes the pressure of churning out records and gives you the freedom to pursue new projects while maintaining a steady income.
### 24 ways to make money as a musician online
#### 1. Master use licensing
Master use licensing is the process by which musicians or record labels grant permission for their original master recordings to be used with visual media, such as films, TV shows, commercials, and video games. You can get paid upfront or via royalties based on factors like usage, distribution, and audience reach.
#### 2. Sync licensing
Sync licensing, or synchronization licensing, is like master licensing, only the focus is on the composition or underlying musical work rather than the actual sound recording. In many cases, a licensee might choose to re-record a song rather than use the master recording.
#### 3. Music libraries
Music libraries are platforms that connect musicians with opportunities to license their work for use in TV shows, movies, and commercials. To create your own music library, you need to record a large number of musical compositions and categorize them using metadata like length, tempo, mood, tonality, genre, and instrumentation.
#### 4. Music streaming
You can post tracks on music streaming services like Spotify, Apple Music, YouTube Music, Amazon Music, Deezer, and more, and receive small payments when listeners stream your songs.
#### 5. Digital downloads
You can sell downloads of your songs and albums, which lets music fans own the recording rather than effectively rent it via a streaming service.
#### 6. Selling physical recordings
Even with the advent of streaming, music consumers still purchase physical media, particularly vinyl records and compact discs. This means you can sell your music to your fans using these physical formats.
#### 7. Live performance
As consumers spend less money on recorded music, the industry depends ever more on live performance to support its many artists. The revenue you can make from live music varies widely.
#### 8. Session work
You can make money as a musician by performing on other artists’ studio recordings. To be qualified for such work, you generally need a true mastery of your instrument, with an ability to play in many different genres.
#### 9. Songwriting for other artists
Many of the world’s leading artists hire professional songwriters. If you’re just starting out, you may have to work on spec, creating songs without any guarantee that an artist will want to record them.
#### 10. Producing for other artists
Just as you can write songs for other artists, you can also serve as their producer, overseeing the recording process in a studio.
#### 11. Film scoring
Film scoring is the art of composing music to sync up with visuals in a film or TV show. It requires close collaboration with a director.
#### 12. Composing for commercials
This job is like film scoring, only you are working for a commercial client whose principal objective is to sell a product.
#### 13. Giving music lessons
You can improve your craft and make a reliable income by teaching the next generation of musicians.
#### 14. Music therapy
You can train to become a music therapist, which may include having a bachelor’s degree and a license.
#### 15. DJing
DJs are a popular alternative to live bands. Clients hire DJs either because they prefer electronic music and mash-up mixes, or because hiring a single DJ can be more cost-effective than hiring a multi-person band.
#### 16. Weddings and corporate events
You don’t have to be the star of the show to make money performing music. You can work as a vendor at a wedding or corporate event, playing songs that match the taste of your client.
#### 17. Merchandise sales
Some touring musicians make more money selling merchandise at their shows than they do selling tickets.
#### 18. Crowdfunding
Using a platform like Kickstarter or ArtistShare, you can ask for public support as you record an album or launch another music initiative like touring.
#### 19. Patreon and other fan-support platforms
Patreon is similar to a crowdfunding site, but it’s designed so that your fans can provide long-term sustained funding for your creative endeavors.
#### 20. YouTube
Musicians can make money on YouTube through various avenues, primarily by monetizing their content through the YouTube Partner Program.
#### 21. Twitch
As a musician, you can make money on Twitch, a livestreaming platform, via subscriptions, ad revenue, and virtual currency donations.
#### 22. Music affiliate
Another way to make money with music is to promote other people’s music and products through affiliate marketing.
#### 23. In-store media company
An in-store media company provides background music for commercial spaces such as retail stores, restaurants, malls, hotels, and airports.
#### 24. Fan club
Fan clubs used to be created by fans. But today, artists can build their own community of dedicated fans.
No matter your area of expertise, you can find ways to monetize your music business. From licensing to live performances, there are numerous avenues to explore. So, if you’re a musician looking to make money doing what you love, consider these 24 ways to diversify your income and build a successful career in the music industry.
