Get Paid to Play: 5 Side Hustles for Musicians

We all dream of schedules packed with session work and sold-out shows, but let's be honest, gigs don't always cover the bills. These side hustles will help bridge the financial gaps, so you can keep making music!

The "starving artist" stereotype exists for a reason. Making a living on music alone is a real struggle for many musicians. But what if I told you the music industry is actually booming, with revenues reaching a record high $17.1 billion in 2023? The question isn't whether you can make money as a musician; it's how you can get your share.

I've been on this journey myself since 2011, rocking over 100 live gigs across Atlanta, from intimate venues to festivals like Sweetwater 420 Fest. I even opened for Better Than Ezra and appeared on the same lineup as Snoop Dogg! I've seen the good, the bad, and the ramen-fueled all-nighters. Despite the challenges, my passion for music has never faded. But the landscape has changed—today, it's about building a strong online presence and personal brand alongside your stage presence and musical talent.

That's why I created this blog: to share everything I've learned, the mistakes I've made, and the strategies that actually work when it comes to making money as a musician in today's world. So, here are some of the most popular ways you can start to supplement your income while still getting to work in music. With some dedication and hustle, we can start to rewrite the starving artist narrative!

1. Live Gigs

Breaking into the local music scene can feel daunting—especially for an artist or band just starting out. In reality, most venues won't hand you a big paycheck for your first show. Here's how to turn that "play for beer" gig into a paying gig (and a recurring job opportunity):

• Be a pro, not a diva. Tight sets, a killer stage presence, and a professional attitude let venue owners know that you’re a "reliable act." Don't be late for your soundcheck! With a packed house, setting up later becomes a nightmare.
• Offer a sweet deal. Suggest a lower fee or a "pay-to-play" deal for your first show. You're there to show your worth and build a relationship. Once you prove your metal, venue owners will be much more willing to pay you for future gigs.
• Rock the house! Focus on delivering a killer performance that keeps the crowd hooked and the drinks flowing. Happy customers mean happy venue owners, and happy venue owners mean return gigs with real paychecks!

Remember, building a reputation takes time. By showing professionalism, offering value upfront, and delivering a memorable performance, you'll create lasting relationships and a consistent stream of word-of-mouth referrals.

Here are a few more ways to get your name out there, build confidence, and score gigs that pay:

• Open Mic Nights: These aren't just for beginners. Hone your skills, showcase new material, and who knows? Your next big break could be in the audience.
• Community & Volunteer Events: From local festivals to parks, offer your talents at community events. It's a win-win-win: you play the music you love, the event benefits from your talent, and you get the satisfaction of contributing to a worthy cause. Plus, you never know what other acts might be there. I met the legendary Mad Violinist at a Red Cross event as a teenager—he loved our band and even shared his contact info!
• Busking: Start small, find a chill spot, and practice your craft. It’s more about the exposure and getting comfortable playing in public than the tips.

• Worship Bands: Churches often welcome musicians of all levels. I got my start playing guitar for 500+ people at 13! Perfect confidence booster.
• Coffee Shops & Restaurants: Approach smaller places that would be open to a solo or duo act. Don’t be afraid to go acoustic.
• Word-of-Mouth: Did you notice that all of these methods generate buzz? On top of these, here’s how you can maximize your word-of-mouth income: Play gigs in fancy areas. If you draw a crowd, people will see you as party-worthy and pay well. Let them suggest a price first (we scored $2,000 for an hour as kids).

2. Teaching

Let's face it, rocking out onstage is amazing, but it can be tough to make ends meet solely from gigs and performances. That's where teaching music comes in! Teaching can be incredibly rewarding, and more importantly, it can be a reliable way to supplement your income.

Building a YouTube Channel

The traditional route of one-on-one lessons is still a fantastic way to go, but the world of music instruction has expanded in recent years. The rise of online platforms like YouTube presents an exciting new avenue to build your audience and generate income. YouTube allows you to reach a massive amount of viewers and turn your music skills into a thriving online business. Your YouTube channel can be a powerful tool for attracting one-on-one students while making money on the side through targeted ads. Here are some tips for getting your channel started:

Converting Your Audience into Paying Students

Growing a great YouTube channel takes time—and ad revenue won’t pay the bills unless you’re getting 1 million or more views per month. That’s why it’s a good idea to try to convert your viewers into clients for one-on-one lessons, whether they’re in-person or online. This will allow you to make some money while your channel grows.

To get the most conversions to one-on-one work, you’ll need to create your own personal music website. This will let your viewers learn more about you and give them a way to contact you for lessons. A website allows you to collect and own your audience data—like contact info—and establish a direct connection with your students via email or text (think: a newsletter or lesson schedule). It also helps boost the other income streams that we’ll discuss later in the blog. Additionally, once you’ve built a solid following, you can think about posting gated lessons on your website that generate more revenue per viewer than YouTube ads (10,000 $5 lessons is $50,000!).

Here are some things to consider when offering paid lessons:

• Lesson Formats: Consider offering a variety of lesson formats to cater to different needs and budgets. This could include:
• Private Lessons: Provide personalized instruction on a one-on-one basis.
• Group Classes: Offer affordable group lessons to reach a wider student base and, if you teach a big enough group, make more money per lesson.
• Online Lessons: Use online platforms like Skype or Zoom to expand your reach globally and connect with students who can't meet in person.
• Gated Videos: Consider offering exclusive, in-depth lessons or tutorials as gated content on your website or YouTube channel. Viewers would need to subscribe, pay a one-time fee, or become a paying member to access this premium content.
• Pricing Strategies:
• Competitive Rates: Research average lesson rates online and in your area and consider your experience level when setting your price. Make sure not to price out potential customers by setting the price too high, but don’t sell yourself short, either.
• Introductory Offers: Attract new students and increase your conversions with introductory discounts or free consultations to showcase your teaching style.
• Bundled Videos: Consider offering lesson packages with additional resources or practice materials at a discounted rate.

3. Creating & Selling Samples

Ever wondered how those catchy loops and sound effects end up in your favorite songs? The secret weapon of many modern producers is the sample pack. These downloadable collections of pre-recorded sounds (drums, melodies, vocals, etc.) are a staple in today's music production workflow.

The beauty of samples as a side hustle? Scalability. You can sell them an unlimited number of times, potentially reaching and profiting from a vast audience of music producers worldwide.

Selling Samples on Your Personal Website

If you already have your own website with a portfolio of your work, which I recommend creating if you’re serious about making money as a musician, selling samples can provide a nice extra stream of income. The actual amount of money you can make selling samples depends on your ability to attract music producers and artists to your site. Think of it like building a music store. The more customers you have walking through the door, the more sales you'll make.

Here's the reality:

• Large audience (10-50k+ followers): If you already have a strong presence on YouTube or social media, selling samples can be a great revenue stream. Your existing audience becomes potential customers.
• Starting from scratch: Creating a website and uploading samples won't magically bring in sales, no matter how good they are. You'll need to actively promote your work.

Unfortunately, during my research for this blog, I found it quite difficult to locate links to sign up as a provider or creator on the most popular sample marketplaces. After looking through many of the top marketplaces’ websites, I was only able to find two dedicated sample submission portals—on Samplesound and Splice. Samplesound’s demo submission form is relatively easy to complete, requiring only a SoundCloud link, short message, and contact info. However, acceptance onto their platform still isn't a sure thing. On the contrary, submitting samples to Splice isn't a simple click-and-upload process. A lengthy application form awaits, with no guarantee of getting accepted. Ultimately, a team review determines if your creations are a good fit for their platform. For those who are interested, here’s the link to Splice’s creator submission page.

Some other popular marketplaces you could attempt to contact include Loopmasters, LANDR, and Tracklib. Here are the links to their ‘Contact Us’ pages and email addresses:

• Loopmasters: Go to the Submit a Request page and select ‘Can I sell my sample pack on Loopmasters’ in the Query section.
• Tracklib: According to their site, if you would like to work with Tracklib, you can reach out at labels@tracklib.com.
• LANDR: To submit your samples on LANDR, email them at samples@landr.com.

Crafting Your Pitch

When reaching out to top sample providers, first impressions are key. Here's how to craft a compelling message that will grab their attention:

• Be Professional and Concise: Aim for a clear, well-written email that quickly conveys your interest in becoming a sample creator on their platform.
• Showcase Your Uniqueness: Don't just say you make samples—explain what sets your work apart. Highlight your specific genre expertise, production style, or a unique sound you bring.
• Dazzle with Demos: Include a link to a well-organized demo showcasing your best work. Choose samples that resonate with the specific platform's style and audience.

4. Joining a Producer’s Team

While creating and selling samples is a fantastic way to showcase your sound and generate income, it can also be a stepping stone to more personalized work with individual producers. Your online sample library acts as your digital music portfolio, demonstrating your skills and versatility to a global network of potential collaborators. Producers can easily browse your work and discover if your sounds fit their creative vision.

Building a Sustainable Music Career

The type of agreement you reach with a producer can vary. Some projects offer a one-time payment for your contribution, while others might involve royalty splits on future earnings from the music you create together. Just always make sure to get a written and signed contract.

Here's a bonus tip: Starting early with sample creation and building up a strong sample library can have long-term benefits, especially if you get a chance to work with top producers. Imagine collecting royalties on your work years down the line, potentially providing passive income and contributing to a secure musical future.

5. Performidi

Building these side hustles is a great long-term plan! However, it can take some time to see results. Each side hustle requires a broad range of skills unrelated to music, as well as a significant time investment. If you’re looking for an option that’s less of a lift and can bring you some immediate cash, try Performidi. Performidi takes the load off so you can focus solely on getting paid for your musical talent, giving you direct access to music producers and artists with paying gigs for musicians. It’s as easy as accepting a producer’s project, uploading your recording, and getting paid!

To learn more about how Performidi works, click here. Or, you can click the button below to try Performidi now: