Are you a musician? Maybe you play in a band or maybe you’re a solo artist. Maybe you’re still in school, or maybe it’s been years since you graduated and you’re ready to take your music career to the next level. Or maybe you just really love music and want to make some extra cash on the side.
In any case, we’ve got good news for you: there are tons of ways to make money online with musical skills. The internet has opened up a whole new world of opportunity for musicians, and we’re here to help you understand how it works!
There are plenty of websites out there that offer jobs for musicians. For example, SoundBetter has thousands of job applications for musicians, songwriters and producers. Whether it’s writing about your favorite artists (or even yourself!), helping people learn how to play instruments, or just creating beautiful music within your own four walls.
| Takeaways |
|---|
| Embrace various avenues to earn money as a musician freelancer. |
| Consider offering live performances, studio session work, music production, and teaching music lessons. |
| Explore alternative ways to monetize your music, such as licensing, creating merchandise, and collaborating with other artists. |
| Utilize online platforms like Fiverr, SoundBetter, and Upwork to connect with clients and offer your music-related services. |
| Market yourself effectively through social media, a professional website, networking, and word-of-mouth referrals. |
| Ensure a steady income by diversifying your income streams and providing high-quality services. |
Opportunities For Musician Freelancer
There are endless opportunities for musicians on the internet. Here are just a few:
1. Sell Digital Downloads Of Your Original Music
You don’t have to be a well-known name to start selling digital downloads of your original content. First, create an account on one or more of the many digital download marketplaces like Apple iTunes and Amazon Music. Once you’ve created your account, visit the Seller Central section of the website and start uploading your music! You’ll be able to share it with the entire world and make money from every sale.
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2. Offer Your Services As A Composer Or Producer
This is one of the most popular ways for musicians to make money online, because there is a real demand for talented composers and producers.
If you have any songwriting talent and can compose for other people or create original beats, then this might be the option for you.
You can find work on online freelancing platforms such as Upwork or Fivver.
3. 3D Print Your Music
3D-printed music can be sold to clients, while the songs they purchase are made unique and irreplaceable. This creates a great opportunity for musicians to make money online by combining their artistic talents with the latest in technology.
By simply uploading audio files and creating a digital model of a musical instrument (or song), you’ll have an art piece that is ready to sell—all without leaving home! Let’s take a closer look at some examples:
A piano player can print out his or her favorite song as an MP3 file, or even just as an audio recording.
4. Make Your Own Blogs And Website
You can also create your own blog or website, where people can find you and hire your services as a musician. The easiest way to create your own blog or website is to use WordPress, which is free. You can easily create your own website or blog with WordPress in just a few minutes.
Just go to WordPress.com and register an account, then choose a theme and you’re ready to go!
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5. Create Youtube Tutorials
YouTube is one of the most popular websites in the world, with billions of visitors every month. If you are a musician and know how to play music, why not share that knowledge with the world? Create how-to videos for popular songs or instruments, and post them on YouTube. Then follow through with my first tip and put Google AdSense ads on your videos. Each time someone clicks an ad, you earn money!
6. Write Articles About Music Or Being A Musician
Writing is a great way to monetize your music skills, especially if you’re not really looking to record and sell music. There are tons of sites that are in need of articles related to music or being a musician, so the work is out there. If you’re hungry for it, all you have to do is find it.
There are a couple of different ways you can go about this. First of all, you can write articles and then find places to publish them, which takes time and a lot of effort. Or, you can go straight to the source and look for websites or companies who are looking for freelance writers or guest bloggers.
That last option is definitely the best one for getting started quickly, and here are some places where you can find gig:
- ProBlogger Job Board: This site posts job listings for writers wanting to make money online. You can search by keyword (such as “music”) or browse through categories like writing, blogging and editing, design and multimedia, etc. You’ll be able to see if the jobs pay per article or per hour or whatever compensation method they use. Some of them require experience while others don’t.
7. Arrange Songs For Other Musicians Or Businesses
Being a freelance musician is much less about creating your own music and more about making money off of other people’s music. If you are not quite ready to make money by creating your own original music, then consider arranging songs for other musicians or businesses.
If you have a good ear for music, then this is another great way to make money as a freelance musician. You do not have to be the best songwriter in the world to arrange someone else’s songs for them. All you need is an understanding of what the song is trying to convey and the desire to help others create similar pieces of music.
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8. Compose Original Video Game Soundtracks
The next big thing in online gaming is games that are playable via social media or your favorite messaging app, and these games need music of their own! Get a jump start on this upcoming trend by writing some original soundtracks. This is super easy to do if you have an account on Soundcloud or Bandcamp, where you can post your soundtrack and sell it as a download.
9. Make Beats And Sell Them To Other Artists
If you have production skills, making beats is another way to make money as a musician online. While many people think of rap and hip hop when it comes to beat-making, there’s a growing demand for beats across all genres of music from rock to R&B and more!
Here are some tips for making money as a music freelancer online.
- Sell beats on SoundCloud
SoundCloud is an online platform that allows musicians to upload their beats and songs so that other users can listen to them. What makes it unique is that it’s primarily geared toward DJs, producers, and beat makers, making it the perfect place to sell your beats.
- Sell beats on BeatStars
BeatStars (and its sister site Airbit) is a marketplace that connects musicians looking for beats with producers selling their instrumentals online. On BeatStars, artists can browse through hundreds of thousands of beats and purchase them instantly through Paypal or credit card. Interested musicians can also contact you directly through the platform if they want a custom beat made for them.
10. Turn Your Music Into An Audiobook
As a freelancer, you can make money from your music by turning it into an audiobook. If you have a hobby that you would like to share with other people that would make for a good audiobook, then this could be the right opportunity for you. For example, you could create an audiobook about playing the guitar or singing and sell it on iTunes or Amazon.
Start by writing an outline of what you want to say in your audiobook. Next, find a recording studio where you can record your audiobook and pay them a small fee to do so. Once your book is recorded, upload it to iTunes or Amazon and start selling it! You can also sell it on your website if you want as well.
If you don’t want to spend money on a recording studio, then just use your smartphone! It’s easy to record good quality audio with most modern smartphones and many apps will let you upload it directly to Amazon or iTunes so people can buy it immediately after purchasing from your website.
Are you a musician looking to earn money from your passion? Our article on Are You a Musician? Tips for Earning Money from Music Freelancing provides valuable tips and strategies to help you monetize your musical talents as a freelancer. Explore new avenues for making a living from your music.
11. Producing Jingles
Producing jingles is a vital part of the music industry, and it can be an easy way to make money as a music freelancer. Jingles are essentially brief musical compositions that serve as soundtracks for advertisements.
If you’re able to come up with catchy tunes that create a sense of branding for a company or product, you might want to look into making jingles.
This type of work is used in television commercials and radio advertisements, making it more traditional than some of the other types of opportunities listed here. But if you have experience writing music and creating your own songs, this could be another great way to make money as a freelance musician.
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Takeaway
It’s possible to make money as a musician these days, thanks to the internet. If you are an independent musician, you don’t have to be worried about your music not selling anymore. You can actually make money online by doing the things you love. It isn’t that hard if you put yourself out there and use all of the resources available online. The tips we’ve shared with you today will show you how to start your journey as a music freelancer. All it takes is a little initiative and willingness to learn new skills.
Further Reading
Here are some additional resources to further explore the topic of earning money from music freelancing:
How to Make a Living in Music as a Freelance Musician: Discover practical tips and insights on how to sustain a career as a freelance musician and make a living from your music.
Ways to Make Money from Music: Explore various avenues and opportunities to generate income through your musical talent. This article provides creative ideas and strategies for monetizing your music.
Fiverr for Musicians: Learn how to leverage Fiverr, a popular freelancing platform, as a musician. Explore ways to offer your music-related services and connect with potential clients and collaborators.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why Don’t More People Sell Their Music Online?
Many musicians are simply not aware of the possibilities, or they’ve tried it and given up after disappointing results. But many musicians have found success selling their music online.
What Is Music Freelancing?
Music freelancing means working at home as a musician, arranger, composer, or any other kind of music professional.
Who Uses Freelancers?
Anyone who wants to hire someone to do some work on a short-term basis. Freelancing is especially popular among corporations, non-profit organizations, and individuals (such as authors) who want to create or enhance multimedia presentations or Web sites.
How Much Money Can I Make?
While there’s no guarantee of success, there is great potential for income growth because the freelance market is growing rapidly. Freelance income can be unpredictable from month to month, but with hard work and persistence, it’s possible to earn a full-time living as a freelancer.
What Kind Of Equipment Do I Need?
You’ll need your own computer and recording equipment if you’re producing custom music (although many clients will ask you to provide only the completed recordings). You’ll also need software such as notation.
Do You Want To Replace Your Day Job With Music Gigs?
I am a musician and also a freelancer. I quit my day job to pursue music making full time and have never looked back. It has had its ups and downs but there is no better way to make money while pursuing your passion.
If you are a musician of any kind, you either have had or will have opportunities to make money freelancing at some point in your career.
How Do I Set My Prices?
It’s important to be competitive (in order to get clients), but not so cheap that you undervalue your talents. Look at what other providers charge for similar services and try to match their prices. But remember, as long as you have a good profile/description and audio samples, price isn’t the only thing clients are looking for — they also want quality. So don’t be afraid to charge a bit more if you feel your work is worth it, or if you have more experience than others offering similar services.
What Skills Do I Need?
You’ll need to be an accomplished musician in your instrument and ideally have experience playing in a band or orchestra.
What Kind Of Work Can I Get As A Music Freelancer?
The most common jobs in the music industry are album artwork, songwriting, mixing and mastering, and creating custom beats. You could also offer your services in teaching or composing music for films or commercials. Just like other creative fields, music has opportunities for both beginners and experts alike.
I am a content writer, and I love what I do! Writing makes me feel like the words are flowing through my fingers, and then onto the keyboard, like magic. My experience as a writer has taught me that writing makes me feel good, as well as helps others to feel better too!