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Make Money with Your Music Gear
Diversity is really the key to making it in today's music industry. You
need to evaluate your talents and then determine how you can package and
sell them. All successful businesses diversify into related profit
centers and so should you. Don't think in terms of one big business, but
of several smaller enterprises that you can run easily and profit from
quicker. I'm not saying you just pick a bunch of unrelated activities ˜
on the contrary ˜ music is your main business. You need to diversify a
little and offer a wider range of music-related products and services.
Here are some ideas for you to explore:
Play in a band (or two)
I've never understand why more bands don't have multiple personalities.
If you are dedicated to only original music, you may find your prospects
severely limited. My suggestion is to go ahead and try to be the next
BIG THING. But also you should have another band with a different
personality -- even if it's the same people -- that plays as a cover or
wedding band. That's where the money often is. And when you do both, you
multiply your chances for success.
Play solo
If you have decent keyboard or guitar chops, don't forget you can play
solo at weddings, small clubs, lounges, coffeehouses, and such. There
are plenty of people out there who are starving for live entertainment.
You may not get paid a bunch, but hey . . . how many people get paid to
practice?
Play sessions
Get out there and land those lucrative jingle, album, and other project
gigs. The competition can be fierce, but good skills and a willingness
to promote yourself ruthlessly can pay off handsomely.
Sell soundtrack scores and jingles
Scoring for visual media is a growing opportunity for today's hi-tech
musician. And it's just outside your door. Corporations make videos and
presentations for sales, training, and other communications. Local
broadcast and cable TV shows need music for themes and underscoring.
While local commercials on radio and TV always need jingles and catchy
music scores. They can all benefit from your music.
Create and sell patches and samples
If you can design sounds for a variety of synths and make samples
available for various formats, you can run a decent and profitable
sideline business.
Create and sell sequences
Again, if you can make these sequences available for a variety of MIDI
formats, you'll do much better. Also, don't forget that you can offer
your sequences on CD for the karaoke crowd or as accompaniment tapes for
weddings, churches, schools, and more.
Sell your expertise as a specialist
If you can develop custom solutions for bands and recording studios, you
could parlay that into a lucrative business. Do you write software? Can
you install and troubleshoot MIDI and recording equipment? If so, quit
giving away your advice and expertise. Start charging for your services!
Engineer live and studio sessions
Maybe you're a more behind the scenes person. There's lots of work out
there for those who can push the right buttons. A good live mixer is a
much sought after commodity. I know many bands that would kill for
someone to run their house mixer. Recording studios always need help,
too. You might consider offering to work the overnight shift. You gain
some valuable skills, contacts, and make some money as well.
Record songwriter, band demos, and more
Got a decent recording setup? Why aren't you renting time to help pay
for it all? A well-equipped home project studio can quickly grow into a
viable commercial or remote recording studio where you sell studio and
production time. There are many ways -- besides music production -- to
make all that equipment pay for itself. American businesses are always
looking for better ways to get their message across. And one way can you
help them get that information out is to record their on-hold telephone
messages. Or you can sell other audio services from your project studio
such as audio-for-video sound design. You don't need to go overboard,
even a few hours or days a month can put some extra cash in your pocket.
Teach lessons and seminars
Hey, you worked hard to get where you are, why not make some money
telling and showing others how to play? Don't ignore the older folks out
there; kids aren't the only ones learning how to play.
Release your own independent record
Unfortunately, too many musicians are worried about BREAKING INTO the
music business. They believe the only path to fame and fortune is
through a record contract. Well, the truth is you have a better chance
of STARTING YOUR OWN music business . . . and succeeding with it . . .
than pursuing the conventional path. The world doesn't start or end with
a major label. Who believes in your own music more than you (O. K., but
your mother doesn't count)? Who could sell your music better than you?
Who deserves the admiration and sense of accomplishment . . . and yes,
the money . . . more than you?
That's what releasing an independent record is all about. First, don't
think that your independent release has to follow the traditional rules.
What I'm talking about and commending to you has many different levels.
Your release can be just for friends and family -- maybe just one copy
for someone you love. Or it can be something you sell at gigs. Perhaps
you want to market your music via the Internet. Maybe you want to throw
your hat into the ring, start your own label, and sell your music
regionally, nationally, or even internationally. That's the beauty of
your self-published release. You can start small and do it for personal
satisfaction. Or you can slowly and steadily build your audience. Or you
can go full tilt. It's entirely up to you! Hey, a record contract is NOT
the summit of the music industry. You can have a lot of fun and make
some decent cash with your own record. How about it?
Get started today!
Brainstorm all the possibilities that you, with your talents and
experiences, can turn into business ventures and make some money from
your music. While you can't do everything, you can experiment and find
the work you like best . . . and the work that is the most profitable!
Are you thinking about more ways to turn your talent into cash? I hope
so!
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