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Income streams for artists can be numerous. Some ways are better than others. Here is a list of what I thought are the best, and what artists should focus on first. Depending on the artists, how long they have been around or where they are in the world, the priority of some income streams over others might change. Use this image as an additional resource to building your musical legacy and take from it what you will.
Public Performance Royalties (SAMRO)
Whenever your music is played live, on tv, or just anywhere in public really, you get royalties. All you need to do is register – easy money.
Mechanical royalty (CAPASSO)
Every time a copy of your song (physical or digital) is made, you must be given cash. You also need to register. There is a tiny annual fee.
Needletime (SAMPRA)
After nearly 15 years of struggle, needletime royalties are coming to performers (including producers and sessions musicians) involved in recording a song. Registration is free, so there is no reason not to do it.
CCLI
For those of you who create christian/gospel music, you may want to consider joining CCLI. CCLI license your material to churches (and others) who want to use it. They also license your lyrics separately, which is pretty cool.
Live shows
Seems obvious, but it is the bread and butter for many musicians. Get money via door deals, through online ticketing platforms (they will take a cut) or more established artists can insist on money upfront. Alternative love gigs = online gigs, house shows, and busking.
Digital downloads
Use an aggregator (CD Baby, Tunecore, etc.) and get your music online. Aggregators will put your music everywhere, for a small cut obviously, and you will make money every time your song/album is downloaded.
Streaming
Streaming is the new bully on the block. It is the fastest growing revenue source worldwide. Aggregators will get your music on popular streaming sites such as Deezer, Spotify, Apple Music or Google Play etc.
Album sales
Simple, sell your physical albums and make money!
Merchandise
Fans like to support artists by purchasing memorabilia. Clothing with band logos, online artwork, lyric books etc. Merchandise can be physical or digital. Be creative!
Crowdfunding
Many bands have paved the way for crowdfunding. Engage with your supporters and get them to pre-order your music or to help fund a tour etc. You will likely only get paid if your target is met. It’s all or nothing.
Subscription (Patreon)
Patreon is a rad concept which is so simple. Supporters (patreons) pay an amount of their choice every month to you, and in exchange, you give them exclusive access to new material before the plebs (non-patrons). It is not the only subscription based platform, but one of the best.
Sync licenses
Anyone who wants to put your music with their video/commercial/video game/app etc will have to pay you for it, and we could be talking top dollar. Just make sure the contract is good before signing it – otherwise you could be giving away more than you know.
Session work musician
Why not offer your services as a professional recording or performing musician? You will be paid a once-off session fee. Many musicians live off this income.
Session work producer
If you have a good ear, other artists might hire you to produce them. You offer your objective input both creatively and from a mixing/recording perspective.
Lessons
They say those that can’t do, teach! Only kidding… Teaching is the best way to make money whilst maintaining your skills as a musician. (Also check out teachers.thezoen.com (teach online))
Sponsorships
Very seldom do artists get hard cash from sponsors. Sponsors may help pay certain expenses (eg. marketing costs), or give you discounts on their products (hello Fender). But getting things for free is still awesome. Check out sponsoredtweets.com – it’s self explanatory and pretty cool.
Youtube
Now calm down. You stand to make very little, but YouTube is massive, so why not try? You must become a YouTube partner, monetize each video and enable AdSense. Only then will YouTube pay (once you’ve hit a $100 threshold).
Vinyl
Some artists and fans prefer going the old school route of music recording. Vinyls are expensive to manufacture and generally don’t sell as well as albums/downloads – but heck, it’s cool to have your music on vinyl.
Songwriting
Did you know you can actually just sit behind a computer and write music for others? Some people are lazy, or can’t write as good as you, so they prefer to buy music (many pop stars do this). You could even write ‘library music’ i.e. music you upload on library/sampling sites in the hope that someone will listen, like, and license.
Represent others
What is cooler than being a Rockstar? Being the manager of course. If you are ‘connected’, why not help aspiring artists break the scene … for a fee. You don’t only have to manage, you can be the publisher, agent or label etc.
Digital royalties (Soundexchange)
Very few musicians know of this. In the US, there is a very specific online streaming royalty that can be collected when music is streamed on non-interactive streaming sites (online radio). It’s unlikely to buy you a beer anytime soon, but it’s something.
Artist royalties
If someone else owns your album (cough record labels), and sell it, then you could get a tiny percentage of each sale. Not ideal.
The explainer image below summarises these income streams for artists in the music industry. It includes indicators of how fast each option can generate income and where legal rights are applicable.
