How to Make Money from Your Music: 27 Ways to Keep the Cash Flowing

Making money from music isn’t just about being talented—it’s about being clever, resourceful, and sometimes a bit ruthless. Here are 27 ways you can monetize your music, ranked by potential revenue, degree of difficulty, and complete with practical tips to help you stay ahead of the game. Let’s turn your passion into profit.  Shout out to David Andrew Wiebe, a seasoned musician and author, who has diversified his income through various avenues within the music industry and provided the inspiration for this article.

David Andrew Wiebe

1. Music Sales: Selling Physical CDs, Vinyl Records, and Digital Downloads

• Description: Selling physical CDs, vinyl records, and digital downloads.
• Potential Revenue: $500 – $10,000+ per release, depending on fan base.
• Degree of Difficulty: Medium.
• Skills Needed: Marketing, distribution knowledge, fan engagement.
• Observation: Physical formats are seeing a resurgence, particularly vinyl. However, selling music directly often requires an established fan base.
• Try This: Niche markets like vinyl enthusiasts pay big bucks for limited editions—go limited, charge premium, and make your fans feel like they’re part of an exclusive club.

2. Streaming Revenue: Earnings from Platforms like Spotify and Apple Music

• Description: Earnings from platforms like Spotify and Apple Music.
• Potential Revenue: $0.003 – $0.005 per stream, leading to hundreds to thousands of dollars with millions of streams.
• Degree of Difficulty: High.
• Skills Needed: Marketing, playlist pitching, social media engagement.
• Observation: It takes an enormous number of streams to make substantial income, but consistent releases and playlist placements can help.
• Try This: Don’t just hope people will find your music—work those algorithms. Create playlists, collaborate with other artists, and game the system to make it work for you.

3. Live Performances: Income from Concerts, Gigs, and Festivals

• Description: Income from concerts, gigs, and festivals.
• Potential Revenue: $100 – $10,000+ per gig, depending on venue and demand.
• Degree of Difficulty: Medium to High.
• Skills Needed: Stage presence, networking, performance skills.
• Observation: Gigging is one of the best ways to make money, but you need a solid live act and a good booking strategy.
• Try This: Master your stage presence. No one wants to pay to watch you nervously stare at your shoes—own that stage, make it a spectacle.

4. Session Work: Playing Instruments or Providing Vocals for Other Artists’ Recordings

• Description: Playing instruments or providing vocals for other artists’ recordings.
• Potential Revenue: $50 – $500 per session, potentially more for high-profile projects.
• Degree of Difficulty: Medium.
• Skills Needed: Instrument proficiency, studio etiquette, reliability.
• Observation: Consistency and networking are key to finding steady session work.
• Try This: Build a rep as the go-to person who can nail it in one take—it’ll save producers time, and they’ll always call you first.

5. Teaching Music: Offering Lessons in Instruments, Vocals, or Music Theory

• Description: Offering lessons in instruments, vocals, or music theory.
• Potential Revenue: $20 – $100+ per hour, depending on experience and demand.
• Degree of Difficulty: Low to Medium.
• Skills Needed: Teaching ability, communication, patience.
• Observation: Teaching is a reliable source of income that also helps build your local reputation.
• Try This: Don’t just teach scales—teach the real stuff they can use to impress friends and start a band. Nobody dreams of playing “Mary Had a Little Lamb” forever.

6. Merchandise Sales: Selling Branded Items Such as T-Shirts, Posters, and Accessories

• Description: Selling branded items such as t-shirts, posters, and accessories.
• Potential Revenue: $5 – $50 per item, leading to significant revenue depending on fan engagement.
• Degree of Difficulty: Medium.
• Skills Needed: Design, marketing, inventory management.
• Observation: Merch sales can greatly boost your income, especially at live shows.
• Try This: Make merch that doesn’t suck. Partner with graphic artists to make designs people actually want to wear—not just to your show, but in public.

7. Licensing and Placements: Allowing Music to Be Used in Films, TV Shows, Commercials, and Video Games

• Description: Allowing music to be used in films, TV shows, commercials, and video games.
• Potential Revenue: $500 – $100,000+ per placement, depending on the project.
• Degree of Difficulty: High.
• Skills Needed: Networking, music cataloging, pitching.
• Observation: Licensing is one of the highest potential revenue streams but requires pitching skills and networking.
• Try This: Don’t be too precious—if a cereal brand wants to use your track, let them. You can laugh all the way to the bank.

8. Crowdfunding: Raising Funds for Projects Through Platforms like Kickstarter or Patreon

• Description: Raising funds for projects through platforms like Kickstarter or Patreon.
• Potential Revenue: $500 – $50,000+, depending on fan support.
• Degree of Difficulty: Medium.
• Skills Needed: Campaign creation, audience engagement, marketing.
• Observation: Crowdfunding requires a loyal fan base and a compelling project pitch.
• Try This: Give fans something they actually want in return—exclusive access, personal shoutouts, or that secret track you never released.

9. Grants and Sponsorships: Receiving Financial Support from Arts Organizations or Corporate Sponsors

• Description: Receiving financial support from arts organizations or corporate sponsors.
• Potential Revenue: $1,000 – $50,000+ per grant/sponsorship.
• Degree of Difficulty: High.
• Skills Needed: Grant writing, networking, proposal skills.
• Observation: Applying for grants can be time-consuming, but the payoff can be significant.
• Try This: Be relentless—apply for everything, even if you think it’s a long shot. Someone has to get that money, why not you?

10. Music Transcription and Arrangement: Creating Sheet Music or Arranging Compositions for Others

• Description: Creating sheet music or arranging compositions for others.
• Potential Revenue: $50 – $500 per project.
• Degree of Difficulty: Medium to High.
• Skills Needed: Music notation, theory knowledge, software proficiency.
• Observation: This is a niche market, but if you’re skilled in notation, it can be lucrative.
• Try This: Find your clients in places no one else is looking—online music communities and forums are goldmines of opportunity.

11. Music Production: Producing Tracks for Other Artists or Projects

• Description: Producing tracks for other artists or projects.
• Potential Revenue: $500 – $10,000+ per track.
• Degree of Difficulty: High.
• Skills Needed: DAW proficiency, mixing and mastering, creativity.
• Observation: Production requires technical skill and creativity; a strong portfolio can open big opportunities.
• Try This: Hone your signature sound but stay versatile—be the person that’s known for making everything they touch sound amazing.

12. Songwriting: Writing Songs for Oneself or Other Performers

• Description: Writing songs for oneself or other performers.
• Potential Revenue: $100 – $50,000+ per song, royalties can be substantial.
• Degree of Difficulty: High.
• Skills Needed: Lyric writing, melody creation, collaboration.
• Observation: Writing for others can be just as lucrative as performing if you have a knack for it.
• Try This: Don’t just write for yourself—sometimes the fastest way to fame is by penning a banger for someone who already has the spotlight.

13. Music Blogging and Content Creation: Generating Income Through Writing About Music or Creating Related Content

• Description: Generating income through writing about music or creating related content.
• Potential Revenue: $0 – $5,000 per month, depending on traffic and sponsorships.
• Degree of Difficulty: Medium.
• Skills Needed: Writing, SEO, content strategy.
• Observation: Building an audience takes time, but once you have it, monetizing becomes easier.
• Try This: Don’t write boring reviews—be controversial, be funny, make people want to read what you’ve got to say.

14. Podcasting: Hosting Music-Related Podcasts with Monetization Through Sponsorships or Ads

• Description: Hosting music-related podcasts with monetization through sponsorships or ads.
• Potential Revenue: $0 – $10,000+ per month, depending on listenership.
• Degree of Difficulty: High.
• Skills Needed: Speaking skills, content planning, audio editing.
• Observation: The podcasting world is competitive, but a unique niche can set you apart.
• Try This: Find a niche topic that no one else is covering. Everyone’s talking about “music”; you talk about “the weirdest sound effects in 90s horror films.”

15. Public Speaking and Workshops: Conducting Seminars or Workshops on Music Industry Topics

• Description: Conducting seminars or workshops on music industry topics.
• Potential Revenue: $100 – $5,000+ per event.
• Degree of Difficulty: Medium.
• Skills Needed: Public speaking, industry knowledge, charisma.
• Observation: Public speaking is about building your reputation as an expert, which can lead to other opportunities.
• Try This: People pay more for charisma—practice being as engaging in speech as you are in music.

16. Affiliate Marketing: Earning Commissions by Promoting Music-Related Products or Services

• Description: Earning commissions by promoting music-related products or services.
• Potential Revenue: $50 – $5,000+ per month, depending on reach.
• Degree of Difficulty: Medium.
• Skills Needed: Marketing, content creation, audience engagement.
• Observation: Affiliate marketing requires a good following or strong content to be effective.
• Try This: Don’t recommend gear you wouldn’t use yourself—your authenticity will make or break your commissions.

17. Music Equipment Rental: Renting Out Instruments or Equipment to Other Musicians

• Description: Renting out instruments or equipment to other musicians.
• Potential Revenue: $50 – $500+ per rental, depending on gear.
• Degree of Difficulty: Low to Medium.
• Skills Needed: Equipment maintenance, scheduling, negotiation.
• Observation: Equipment that isn’t being used can still make you money.
• Try This: Treat your gear well, but know when to lend out your “B-team.” Not every rental deserves your prized guitar.

18. Rehearsal Space Rental: Providing Space for Bands or Artists to Practice

• Description: Providing space for bands or artists to practice.
• Potential Revenue: $20 – $100+ per hour, depending on location and amenities.
• Degree of Difficulty: Medium.
• Skills Needed: Space management, customer service, basic audio setup.
• Observation: Rehearsal spaces are always in demand, especially in urban areas.
• Try This: Add value—throw in basic recording equipment or a PA system and charge a bit more. Convenience sells.

19. Music Consulting: Offering Expertise to Other Musicians or Industry Professionals

• Description: Offering expertise to other musicians or industry professionals.
• Potential Revenue: $50 – $500+ per consultation.
• Degree of Difficulty: Medium.
• Skills Needed: Industry knowledge, communication, strategy development.
• Observation: Consulting requires deep industry knowledge and proven experience.
• Try This: Don’t be vague—specialize in one area, become the expert on it, and people will pay you just to get a piece of that knowledge.

20. Music Therapy: Using Music to Aid in Therapeutic Settings

• Description: Using music to aid in therapeutic settings.
• Potential Revenue: $30 – $150+ per hour, depending on certification and setting.
• Degree of Difficulty: High.
• Skills Needed: Certification in music therapy, empathy, musical proficiency.
• Observation: Requires proper training and certifications, but it’s a rewarding field both emotionally and financially.
• Try This: Master your craft and learn the science—a good heart helps, but proper certification will make sure you get paid.

21. DJ Services: Performing as a DJ at Events or Venues

• Description: Performing as a DJ at events or venues.
• Potential Revenue: $100 – $5,000+ per gig, depending on event size and demand.
• Degree of Difficulty: Medium to High.
• Skills Needed: Music curation, mixing skills, crowd reading.
• Observation: DJing is a competitive but lucrative field with high demand for good performers.
• Try This: Don’t just play the hits—have that one “OMG” track that makes everyone lose it, and you’ll be remembered.

22. Music Reviews and Critiques: Providing Feedback or Reviews for Other Artists’ Work

• Description: Providing feedback or reviews for other artists’ work.
• Potential Revenue: $10 – $200 per review.
• Degree of Difficulty: Low.
• Skills Needed: Analytical skills, music knowledge, writing ability.
• Observation: Music critiques require an honest, constructive approach to be of value.
• Try This: Be brutally honest—kindness is great, but people will pay more if they think your critique is actually going to help them get better.

23. Event Promotion: Organizing and Promoting Music Events or Concerts

• Description: Organizing and promoting music events or concerts.
• Potential Revenue: $500 – $10,000+ per event, depending on scale.
• Degree of Difficulty: High.
• Skills Needed: Marketing, negotiation, logistics.
• Observation: Promoting events takes planning, marketing, and risk, but the reward can be substantial.
• Try This: The bigger the name, the bigger the draw—find local talent with a decent following and make them the headliner. Their crowd is your crowd.

24. Music App Development: Creating Applications Related to Music Education or Production

• Description: Creating applications related to music education or production.
• Potential Revenue: $1,000 – $100,000+, depending on the app’s success.
• Degree of Difficulty: Very High.
• Skills Needed: Coding, UX/UI design, problem-solving.
• Observation: App development requires coding skills or hiring developers, but the payoff can be huge.
• Try This: Solve a problem that musicians actually have—create a tool they can’t believe they ever lived without.

25. Voiceover Work: Providing Voiceover Services for Commercials, Audiobooks, or Other Media

• Description: Providing voiceover services for commercials, audiobooks, or other media.
• Potential Revenue: $50 – $1,000+ per gig.
• Degree of Difficulty: Medium.
• Skills Needed: Vocal versatility, audio editing, script reading.
• Observation: Voiceover work requires versatility and a good recording setup.
• Try This: Work on versatility—being able to do three different accents or styles triples your potential work opportunities.

26. Music Video Production: Creating Music Videos for Oneself or Other Artists

• Description: Creating music videos for oneself or other artists.
• Potential Revenue: $500 – $10,000+ per video, depending on complexity.
• Degree of Difficulty: High.
• Skills Needed: Video production, editing, creative direction.
• Observation: Requires video skills, equipment, and creativity to stand out.
• Try This: Work with film students or emerging directors—they’re hungry for content, and you’ll both benefit.

27. Music-Related Book Sales: Authoring and Selling Books on Music Industry Topics

• Description: Authoring and selling books on music industry topics.
• Potential Revenue: $100 – $10,000+ depending on sales.
• Degree of Difficulty: High.
• Skills Needed: Writing, research, industry knowledge.
• Observation: Writing a book requires deep expertise and marketing effort to sell.
• Try This: Find your unique angle—if 20 people already wrote about “how to be successful in the music industry,” write the “how NOT to fail” version instead.

Wrap-Up

Turning your musical passion into an income isn’t about waiting for a lucky break—it’s about diversifying, being smart, and making opportunities happen. Dive into these 27 paths, sharpen your skills, and keep pushing boundaries. The money is out there—go get it.