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Music Information |
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How to Make $30,000 with Your Music Before Years End
As an independent musician and/or recording artist, if you did *NOT* earn $30,000 (or more) with your music alone last year, let's jump right in and get you started with doing so this year. Again, bear in mind that the main necessary ingredient is "consistency" of every aspect, and on a weekly basis. Remember! This is a worst case scenario, in regard to what you should be able to easily earn within each aspect, and you are very likely to earn much more. The "lead generator(s)" in each aspect reflects the various resources that you will use to obtain results in these areas. So, here is the financial mathematical layout. [---GIG EARNINGS---] Practically any band should be able to market and promote itself well enough to obtain, at least, one gig per week, whether the band is based in a metropolitan or rural setting, and whether it performs on a fulltime or part-time basis. So, in our worst case scenario, let's look at getting one gig per week: 1 Gig X 1 Week @ $300 X 4 weeks = $1,200 per month Lead Generators: * Contacting venue managers and bookers directly Note: Provide your media kit and business card to prospective clients. [---GIG CD SALES---] As you are already aware, most gig employers will allow you to sell your music during performances. So, in our worst case scenario, let's look at getting sales during gigs, with a minimum of 100 people at each gig, and with 10% (10 sales) of the crowd who, after witnessing your mind-blowing spectacular performance, suddenly realize that life is not worth living, and they simply cannot go on unless they own a copy of your CD: 10 sales X $10.00 (per CD) X 4 weeks = $400 per month Our monthly sub-total is now $1,600 Lead Generator: * Your incredible stage performance that left them mesmerized. [---TEACHING---] Right now, in your own area, there are innumerable people who would like to learn to play your instrument, or be able to sing as half as well as you. So, why not teach them how to do so while earning a bit of income doing it as well? So, in our worst case scenario, let's say you teach only one day each week, with only two students, at one hour each, while charging $10 per student, per lesson: 1 day X 2 students X $10.00 (per student) X 4 weeks = $80 per month Our monthly sub-total is now $1,680 Note: If you decide to devote an entire day of the week to teaching, say 8 students/8 hours, your income increases to $80 per day/$320 per month. You can also consider contacting area community colleges that will likely be receptive to your classes within their "Continuing Education" program, which can even pay a bit more money. And, if time allows, why not get the best of both worlds, so to speak, by teaching both independently, as well as within the college system? Lead Generators: * Placing low-cost ads in your area weekly newspapers Note: Provide your credentials to student prospects in the forms of a resume and/or portfolio. [---ONLINE SALES---] Just a few noted sites include: CD Baby ( http://www.cdbaby.com ) With fairly decent online promotion, at the least, you ought to be able to realize an average of 3 sales per week from each of these sites. While all may not produce those 3 sales individually each week, some of them are likely to produce more than 3 sales, dependent upon your promotional efforts, of which should still average out to 3 sales each. However and again, let's review a worst case scenario: 4 sites X 3 sales each X $7.00 = $84 X 4 weeks = $336 Our monthly sub-total is now $2,016 Lead Generators: * Peripheral online sales from gig audiences [---WEDDINGS---] Though weddings occur within every month of the year, the biggest and most traditional month for weddings is June. And, right now, in your own area, there are quite a few being planned for this summer. Weddings are one of the most lucrative income generators for musicians, because families generally are very liberal in spending on them, and go all out, so to speak, for this special day for their daughters. So, in our worst case scenario, let's say you can get, at least, one wedding gig per month, at $1,000 per gig (more wedding gig opportunities are likely during summer months especially): $1,000 X 9 months = $9,000 Our monthly sub-total is now $3,016 Lead Generators: * Caterers & Catering Services Note: You should also provide your business card to wedding attendants who inquire about your services for upcoming functions that they may be hosting in the future. [---WEDDING CD SALES---] You may also be able to sell your CD at weddings, however, ASK FIRST when coordinating your performance arrangements. Attendants usually interact with the band, as it is a happy occasion. If you are allowed to sell your recordings at weddings, you should do so passively by having your CDs placed near the performance area in a conspicuous position. However, I would not "hard sell" (repeatedly mention) the CD from the stage, unless of course, a wedding coordinator decides to do so, or states that you may do so. So, in our worst case scenario, let's say, at least, 100 people attend each wedding (more are likely to attend many weddings), with 10% of them purchasing your CD: 10 sales X $10.00 (per CD) X 1 month = $100 Our monthly sub-total is now $3,116 Lead Generator: * Your performance [---RETAIL STORE CONSIGNMENT SALES---] Since stores won't be laying out cash in advance for your music, you should have very little problem consigning your music to retailers. A word of advice is for you to not consign more than five copies per per store, per 30-day period, at any time. Limiting copies to stores will allow for sufficient time in your product moving off retailer shelves. Consider getting your product consigned with, at least, five area retailers. However, if there are not enough music stores in your area, consider consigning it with other retailers such as; bookstores, flower shops, jewelry stores, and any other such retailer that gets quite a bit of traffic and might be interested in carrying your music. You will, generally, be required to present retailers with your own consignment form, and I have created one that you can freely download and customize for your own use at: http://www.MuBiz.com/CnsnmtFrm.html Just be sure to duplicate it so that both you and the retailer have copies. So, in our worst case scenario, let's look at your area retail possibilities: 5 Stores X 5 copies X $8 (your take) = $200 per month Our monthly sub-total is now $3,316 Lead Generators: * Low-cost classified or display ads in area newspapers Note: Provide your media kit and business card to retailers in order to further influence their decision in consigning your product. [---PRODUCTION---] Did you produce your own CD? If you did, and if people are raving about how great it is, why not consider producing other area bands as well for some extra cash? Between now and the end of this year, you should be able to produce, at least, two acts for, at least, a $1,000 fee each. Lead Generators: * Word of mouth and fellow musicians you know Note: Provide your media kit and business card to contacts. As our monthly sub-total is $3,316, providing a grand sub-total of $29,844, when you add on your $2,000 production fees for both bands that you produce, your minimum grand year-end total comes to $31,844. As I stated at the beginning of this article, each of these aspects contain 'bare bones' minimum figures in respect to what your earning potential is within them. * Special Note: In each of these areas, it is very likely that you will experience repeat business, as well as word of mouth promotion, which will further add to your annual income this year, thus, creating the potential for doubling or even tripling your income. Kenny Love is president of http://www.MuBiz.com, a radio promotion and media publicity firm that also provides business and career services to musicians.
MORE RESOURCES: Why I Like Making Music John Scalzi's Whatever Olivia Newton-John’s 10 best songs – sorted! The Guardian Fitbit Discontinues Music Sync – But Wait, It Gets Worse Digital Music News ARCH ENEMY Releases Music Video For 'The Watcher' BLABBERMOUTH.NET The largest YouTube royalties heist in history is just a spotlight on a much larger problem. Mashable Radio Station Responds to Jamey Johnson's Scathing Comments Saving Country Music Five Bands With Music Perfect for Stranger Things Season 5 CBR - Comic Book Resources Lea Desandre Gives a Modern Voice to Early Music The New York Times Spotify vs. Deezer: Which Music Streaming Service Is Better? MUO - MakeUseOf New Music From Me: “8/13/22 (They Were Not Aware They Had Become Ghosts)” John Scalzi's Whatever Israeli music icon Zvika Pik passes away, age 72 The Jerusalem Post 23rd annual Springfield music festival celebrates Irish music and heritage Western Massachusetts News Gerds/Review: Classical music scene on the mend WeAreGreenBay.com Want Music To Both Trip and Study? Try Post-Rock Study Breaks What's The Best Opening Line In Country Music? Whiskey Riff Photos: Country music fans party it up at Tailgate Fest in Fontana San Bernardino County Sun Ozomatli Headlines Free Concert Live at The Music Center September 3 | The South Pasadenan The South Pasadenan Conducters with controllers: OSU's unique music class | Entertainment | ocolly.com Daily O'Collegian Summer in the South End: An August Roundup of Live Music and Block Parties South Seattle Emerald ‘A Little Night Music’ Review: A Rueful Take at Barrington Stage The New York Times Last week in music industry commentary hypebot.com Gather Around the Midway 'Music at Night' Stage at the SWW Fair for Free Nightly Concerts Centralia Chronicle Phish Dive Into "1999" and "Fluffhead" on Night Two of Alpine Valley Music Theatre Stand in East Troy jambands.com Sun Valley Music Festival to End with Three Memorable Concerts Eye On Sun Valley SummerFest 2022 Brings Excitement, Musical Innovation to La Jolla Times of San Diego Spanish-language streaming and music coming to Walla Walla County Rural Library District Walla Walla Union-Bulletin ANTHRAX's CHARLIE BENANTE: 'For Us, The Music Always Came First' BLABBERMOUTH.NET The Composer Who Turns Hayao Miyazaki’s Humane Touch Into Music The New York Times From Woodstock to Coachella: 50 historic music festivals | Entertainment News | wfmz.com 69News WFMZ-TV Environmental advocacy, music blend at second annual 'Honoring the Land' rally in Turners Falls The Recorder Kids are on a mission for music Abilene Reporter-News With 'Bullet Train,' Bad Bunny joins Camila Cabello, Desi Arnaz, Leslie Grace and more as Latin music star to make jump to acting New York Daily News Ari Lennox Stunts In Her “Hoodie” Ratings Game Music A Guide to the Dance Music on Beyoncé’s ‘Renaissance’ The New York Times It's official: New music is SHRINKING in popularity Music Business Worldwide A Proclamation on Black Music Appreciation Month, 2022 The White House Is Old Music Killing New Music? The Atlantic Pop Music's Nostalgia Obsession The Atlantic The music lives on Apple The Best Music of 2021 The New Yorker Jack Antonoff’s Gift for Pop-Music Collaboration The New Yorker ‘Making music is about making assets for social media’: pop stars battle digital burnout The Guardian |
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