Found Around: Make $50,000 a Year Through Music
Written by Lynsey Grey Posted in: Found Around on March 08, 2011
Update: Read this too! Thoughts on Making a Living in Music
It's all too often that bands get together to conquer the world and become extraordinarily wealthy. The harsh reality is that very few bands are able to generate enough money to even make a living off of their music, let alone attain the riches of their dreams. However, If you're dead set on making your primary income from your music, it can be done. Chances are you won't be buying that Masserati at the end of the year, but you will be able to support yourself.
As Chris Seth Jackson writes on the How to Run a Band blog, it may be easier to make $50,000 a year through your music than you think. In addition to playing with your band, you can busk on the street, sell an acoustic CD that was recorded for cheap, busk online, ask for small PayPal donations, give lessons, sell exclusive merchandise to fans, etc. Exhaust every option and you very well may be able to quit your day job and survive off the fruits of your musical labor. What are some other revenue generating activities musicians should know about? Do you think a combination of these endeavors would really generate a reasonable income? As always, we want to know what you think!
-Lynsey
(How to Run a Band) Want to Make $50,000 a Year in Music? Start With One Dollar a Day.
Credit: Chris Seth Jackson
A big part of this blog is to figure out how to actually make money with music. However, I’ve been talking about giving music away for free, buying fancy tablets, and paying for web hosting. If you look at my “financials” page, you’ll notice a downward trend in money for my guinea pig band Shiplosion.
How does a musician make money?
Honestly, I don’t know for certain. But, I think I have a couple of ideas. However, these ideas are based more on the individual musician, and not the band as a whole. Why?
The individual can make more money and have more control over their finances than an entire band.
Start Earning One Dollar A Day
Every day, grab an acoustic guitar and head down to the street corner. Start playing songs and singing with the case open to take tips. Don’t stop until you have at least one dollar.
