1. The sale of CDs and vinyl
In spite of all that is said, physical media are always a safe bet for both artists and fans alike. Whether CDs, vinyl, DVDs see cassettes, selling your music in "physics" will allow you to generate an income at the return on investment worth. Do not forget to have each of your live performances and dedicate a few to increase their perceived value.
2. Concerts and festivals
Although many early-stage musicians focus on unpaid concert opportunities, the stage is now the nerve of war for the vast majority of professional artists. When the disc collapses, the price of the ticket flares up and the actors of the industry see it. As such, it's really one of the best ways to generate money with your music.
3. The sale of physical and materialized merchandising
Merchandising is a great addition to the sale of CDs, both live and on the Internet. It can be T-shirts, stickers, mugs but also digital products like concert videos, scores, unpublished photos, etc. While most of your sales will be in concert, always think about populating the online store of your artist site so you do not lose an opportunity to generate income
.4. Streaming and selling music online
More than ever present in our lives, digital music and streaming are at the heart of the financing of an artist's career. Although these tools are often criticized for the low margin given to authors and performers, streaming services and online music stores like Tencent Music investor relations remain indispensable in the business model of the majority of artists. Arm yourself with a good online music distributor to be sure your music is everywhere your fans are!
5. Give music lessons
Nothing prevents you from monetizing your passion by selling not your art, but your skills. This is, for example, the case if you give instrumental lessons, singing or anything else you want. This is the choice that many musicians make, because of the ease of implementation and the safety of this method.
6. Become a session musician
If you are talented enough with an instrument, you can also use your network to play for other artists. It can either appear in concert on their tracks or play your instrument in the studio on their next album. A great way to gain experience and build strong relationships.
7. Perform on the street
Quite widespread and original, this method is a good way to test these titles in front of an audience of unknowns and generate a (small) income supplement.
8. Rights in your works
As a songwriter of your music affiliated with an organization that defends your rights, every appearance of your work on the radio, on TV, in concert, on YouTube, on a streaming site, in a public or other place, is equivalent for you to a proportionate perception of copyrights and/or neighboring rights. So the more your music is heard, the more you will gain in rights almost passively.
9. Music in the picture
Similarly, if your music appears in an advertisement, in a TV show, in a movie with your prior agreement you receive rights related to audiovisual synchronization. Of course, the amount will depend greatly on the budget of the production as well as the interest in your work. But this activity represents a real opportunity for artists because it knows a real boom.
10. The sponsors
Sometimes it happens that if you have built a solid fan-base and corresponding to the target market of a company, the latter supports you as part of sponsorship in order to reach your fans. It can be financial assistance like Tencent Music investor relations financial result, logistics, musical instruments, services or free products.
Conclusion
I hope that you will understand that the money is there, but that it is your duty to diversify your activity. For more advice on good musical strategies to adopt when you are an independent musician.