Have you given up on your dream because one of those jolly
ranchers told you there's "no money in music" or "pursue it as a hobby
& get a real job"? Don't give up! Don't listen! Here are 42 LEGAL
ways for you to make money as an artist, put all of these on your to-do
list!
Songwriter and Composer Revenue
- Publisher advance
Bulk payment to songwriter/composer as part of a publishing deal.
Paid to: songwriter composer by publishing company.
Rate: varies according to deal. - Mechanical Royalties
Royalties generated through the licensed reproduction of recordings of your songs — either physical or digital.
Paid to: songwriter/composer by publisher, label, Harry Fox, or digital aggregator like CD Baby. Rate: 9.1 cents per manufactured copy of song/composition. - Commissions
Typically a request from an ensemble, presenter, orchestra or other entity for a composer to create an original work for them. - Public Performance (PRO) Royalties
Revenue generated when your songs are played on radio, TV, in clubs and restaurants. Paid to songwriter/composer/publisher by ASCAP/BMI/SESAC. - Composing Original Works for Broadcast
Typically a commercial request to compose an original jingle, soundtrack, score, or other musical work for a film, TV or cable show, or an ad agency. - Synch Licenses
Typically involves licensing an existing work for use in a movie, documentary, TV, video games, internet, or a commercial. Paid to songwriters/composers either via publisher or record label, or via a direct licensing deal with the licensee (movie studio, ad agency, etc) if you are self-published.. - Sheet Music Sales
Revenue generated by the sale of songs/compositions as sheet music. Paid to songwriter/composer by publisher, or directly from purchasers if you are selling it on your website or at performances.. - Ringtones Revenue
Generated from licensing your songs/compositions for use as ringtones. Paid to songwriter/composer via your publisher, your label or Harry Fox.. - ASCAPlus Awards Program
Awarded by ASCAP to writer members of any genre whose performances are primarily in venues outside of broadcast media. - Publisher Settlement
Payment from publishers to writers for litigation settlements.
Performer and Recording Artist Revenue
- Salary as Member of Orchestra or Ensemble
Income earned as a salaried member of an orchestra or ensemble. - Shows/Performance Fees
Revenue generated from playing in a live setting (for non-salaried players). - Record Label Advance
Paid to artist as part of signing a deal. - Record Label Support
Money from label for recording or tour support. - Retail Sales
Revenue generated from selling physical music in retail stores or via mailorder. Paid to artist/performer by your label, or digital aggregator like CD Baby. - Digital Sales
Revenue generated from selling music digitally/online. Paid to artist/performer by your label, or digital aggregator like CD Baby or Tunecore. - Sales at Shows
Revenue generated from selling recordings of music at shows/live performances. Paid to artist/performer directly by fans. - Interactive Service Payments
Revenue generated when your music is streamed on on-demand services (Rhapsody, Spotify, Rdio). Paid to artist/performer by your label, or digital aggregator like CD Baby or Tunecore. - Digital Performance Royalties
Revenue generated when your sound recordings are played on internet radio, Sirius XM, Pandora. Paid to performers by SoundExchange. - AARC Royalties
Collected for digital recording of your songs, foreign private copying levies, and foreign record rental royalties, distributed to US artists by AARC. - Neighboring Rights Royalties
Collected for the foreign performance of your recordings. - AFM/Secondary Markets Fund
Paid to performers on recordings used in TV and other secondary uses. - AFM/Sound Recording Special Payments
Paid to performers for the sales of recorded music. - AFTRA Contingent Scale
Payments paid to performers when a recording hits certain sales plateaus. - Label Settlements
Payments from labels to recording artists for litigation settlements (MP3.com, Limewire).
Session Musician Revenue
- Session Musician/Sideman Fees for Studio Work
Revenue paid to you for playing in a studio. Paid by label, producer or artist, depending on situation. - Session Musician/Sideman Fees for Live Work
Revenue paid to you for playing in a live setting. Paid by label, producer or artist, depending on situation.. - AFM/AFTRA Payments
Payments from the AFM/AFTRA Intellectual Property Rights Distribution Fund, which distributes recording and performance royalties to non-featured artists.
Knowledge of Craft: Teaching and Producing
- Music Teacher
Revenue generated from teaching your musical craft. - Producer
Money from producing another artists’ work in the studio or in a live setting. - Honoraria or Speakers Fees
Brand-Related Revenue
- Merchandise Sales
Revenue generated from selling branded merchandise (t-shirts, hoodies, posters, etc.). Paid to artist/performer by fans. - Fan Club
Money directly from fans who are subscribing to your fan club - YouTube Partner Program
Shared advertising revenue, paid to partners by YouTube - Ad Revenue
Or other miscellaneous income from your website properties (click-thrus, commissions on Amazon sales, etc.) - Personal Licensing
Payments from a brand that is licensing your name or likeness (video games, comic books, etc) - Product Endorsements
Payments from a brand for you endorsing or using their product - Acting
In television, movies, commercials
Fan, Corporate, and Foundation Funding
- Fan Funding
Money directly from fans to support an upcoming recording project or tour (Kickstarter, Pledge Music) - Sponsorship
Corporate support for a tour, or for your band/ensemble - Grants
From foundations, state or federal agencies
