Can Musicians Make Money Without Touring?

There are many different ways musicians can make a living. Trust me, I have been a professional working musician for the last 15 years. I decided to write an article helping musicians start to piece together an income. Most successful musicians have multiple streams of income to make up their income.

Yes! Musicians can make money without touring. Typical musician income streams include, streaming, merchandising, sponsorships/endorsements, studio work and teaching.

How To Make Money As A Musician

1. Streaming, Youtube & Digital Sales

Streaming and YouTube are two powerful platforms that can help musicians make money. Both platforms provide a way for musicians to reach a wide audience and generate revenue from their music.

Streaming services like Spotify, Apple Music, and Tidal pay musicians for each stream of their songs. The amount of money a musician earns per stream varies depending on the service, but it is typically a small amount, usually a fraction of a penny. However, the more streams a song gets, the more money the musician earns. Additionally, some streaming services offer a subscription model, where users pay a monthly fee for access to exclusive content and features, which can also generate revenue for the artist.

YouTube, on the other hand, allows musicians to earn money through ads, sponsorships, and merchandise sales. YouTube's Partner Program allows musicians to monetize their videos by placing ads before, during, or after their videos. The more views a video gets, the more money the musician earns. Additionally, musicians can also earn money through sponsorships and collaborations with brands. Some musicians also sell merchandise through their YouTube channel, such as t-shirts, hats, and other items.

In addition to these earning opportunities, YouTube also offers a feature called Super Chat, which allows fans to pay to have their comments highlighted during live streams. This is a great way for musicians to interact with their fans and make money at the same time.

Dodie is a great example of a musician making a living from Youtube

One important thing to note is that both streaming and YouTube revenue streams are reliant on the number of plays and views, so it's important for musicians to work on building their audience and promoting their music. A strong online presence, including a website, social media accounts, and email list, can help musicians reach more people and increase their revenue.

Another way to increase revenue on streaming platforms and youtube is through releasing exclusive content on paid subscription platforms, such as Patreon and Bandcamp. These platforms allow musicians to offer exclusive content, such as behind-the-scenes footage, exclusive songs or merchandise, and personal interactions with fans.

In addition to these platforms, musicians can also make money by licensing their music for use in films, television shows, and video games. This can be a great way for musicians to earn money from their music even if they're not actively touring or performing.

2. Merchandising Merchandising Merchandising

Just like Yogurt says in Spaceballs, "Merchandising Merchandising Merchandising!"

Merchandising is a great way for musicians to make money and connect with their fans. It involves selling merchandise such as t-shirts, hats, and other items that feature the musician's name, logo, or image.

One of the most common ways to sell merchandise is through a musician's website. A musician can create an online store on their website where fans can purchase merchandise. This can include items such as t-shirts, hoodies, hats, and even accessories like keychains or phone cases. It's important for musicians to have a variety of merchandise options available, as it caters to different fans with different tastes and budgets.

Another way to sell merchandise is through live shows. Many musicians sell merchandise during live performances, such as t-shirts, hats, and other items. This is a great way for musicians to connect with their fans and make money at the same time. Additionally, it's an opportunity for the artist to showcase their merchandise designs in person and make an impression on the fan.

Musicians can also sell merchandise through social media platforms like Instagram and Facebook. These platforms allow musicians to create a shop and sell merchandise to their followers. This is a great way for musicians to reach a larger audience and make money from their social media presence.

Additionally, musicians can sell merchandise through third-party platforms such as Amazon and Etsy. These platforms have a large audience and can help musicians reach a wider audience. It's a good idea to use these platforms in combination with a personal website, as it can help to increase visibility and drive sales.

Another way for musicians to make money through merchandising is by creating limited edition items, such as signed posters, vinyl records, or limited edition t-shirts. These items are often highly sought after by fans and can fetch a higher price.

Musicians can also make money through collaborations and partnerships with other brands. This can involve designing merchandise in collaboration with another company or designing merchandise for a specific event or tour. This can be a great way for musicians to make money and reach a wider audience.

In addition, merchandise can be a great way for musicians to diversify their income streams and reduce their dependence on touring and live shows. This is especially important given the current global situation that has made touring and live shows difficult or impossible for many musicians.

3. Endorsements

Musician endorsement deals are agreements between a musician and a company where the musician promotes the company's products or services in exchange for money or other compensation. These deals can be a great way for musicians to make money and reach a wider audience.

One of the most common forms of musician endorsements is through product placement in music videos or live performances. This can include incorporating a specific product or brand into a music video or mentioning the product during a live performance. This type of endorsement can be a great way for musicians to make money and reach a wider audience, as music videos and live performances are often viewed by millions of people.

Another form of musician endorsement is through social media. Many musicians have a large following on social media platforms like Instagram and Twitter. Companies can pay musicians to post about their products or services on these platforms, reaching the musician's large audience. This type of endorsement can be especially effective for companies looking to reach a younger audience, as many musicians have a large following of young people.

Musicians can also make money through sponsorship deals. This can involve a musician endorsing a specific brand or product during a tour or live performance. This type of endorsement can be a great way for musicians to make money and reach a larger audience, as many people attend live performances.

Additionally, musicians can also make money through brand collaborations, creating merchandise, events, or even music exclusively for a brand. This type of endorsement can be especially effective for musicians who have a strong connection to a specific brand or product.

It's important for musicians to be selective when it comes to endorsement deals. It's important for the musician to ensure that the product or service aligns with their personal brand and values. Additionally, it's important for musicians to read and understand the terms of the endorsement deal before signing.

4. Session and Studio Work

Studio and session work can be a great way for musicians to make money and gain experience in a professional recording environment. This type of work involves recording music for other artists, commercials, movie soundtracks, and other projects.

One way for musicians to make money through studio and session work is by recording for other artists. This can include recording songs for other artists' albums, writing songs for other artists, or even providing instrumental performances for other artists' songs. This type of work can be a great way for musicians to make money and gain exposure to a wider audience.

Another way for musicians to make money through studio and session work is by recording music for commercials, movies, and television shows. This can include recording original songs, providing instrumental performances, or even creating sound effects for specific projects. This type of work can be a great way for musicians to make money and gain exposure to a wider audience, as commercial, movie, and television projects are often viewed by millions of people.

Musicians can also make money through jingles and commercial music production. Jingles are short, catchy songs that are used in commercials, television shows, and films to promote products, services, or brands. Musicians can write, produce and record jingles for commercials, which can be a great way to make money and gain exposure.

Additionally, many musicians also make money by offering music lessons to other people. This can include teaching private lessons, workshops, or online classes. This type of work can be a great way for musicians to make money, share their knowledge and skills with others, and connect with other musicians.

It's important for musicians to have a good understanding of the recording process and the technical aspects of studio work. Additionally, it's important for musicians to have a good understanding of the different types of projects that are available for studio and session work, as well as the requirements for each type of project.

Networking is also an important aspect of finding studio and session work. Musicians can connect with other musicians, producers, and industry professionals through social media, networking events, and professional associations. This can help musicians find new opportunities and build relationships with other industry professionals.

5. Music Lessons

Music lessons can be a great way for musicians to make money and share their knowledge and skills with others. Teaching music can take many forms, including private lessons, workshops, and online classes.

Private music lessons are one way for musicians to make money teaching music. This can include teaching guitar, piano, singing, or any other instrument or skill. Private lessons can be held in person or online, and they can be tailored to the needs and level of the student. This can be a great way for musicians to make money, share their knowledge and skills with others, and connect with other musicians.

Workshops and masterclasses are another way for musicians to make money teaching music. These are typically more intensive and focused on a specific topic or skill. Workshops can be held in person or online, and they can be a great way for musicians to reach a larger audience and make more money than with private lessons. They can be tailored to specific skill levels, from beginner to professional and can also be focused on a specific genre or style of music.

Online classes are a more recent development that allows musicians to reach a wider audience by teaching music lessons over the internet. Platforms like Zoom, Skype, or YouTube Live make it easy for musicians to connect with students anywhere in the world. Online classes can be a great way for musicians to make money and reach a wider audience, and they can be easily recorded and re-used as video content in the future.

Musicians can also make money by writing and publishing music books, sheet music, or instructional videos. These materials can be sold online, in music stores, or through the musician's website. This can be a great way for musicians to make money and share their knowledge and skills with others even if they're not teaching in person.

In order to be successful in teaching music, it's important for musicians to have a good understanding of the subject matter and be able to communicate effectively with their students. Additionally, it's important for musicians to have a good understanding of the different types of students and their needs. They should also be able to adapt and tailor their teaching methods to the individual student.

Networking is also an important aspect of finding teaching opportunities. Musicians can connect with other musicians, music schools, and industry professionals through social media, networking events, and professional associations. This can help musicians find new opportunities and build relationships with other industry professionals.

I hope you enjoyed this long article about how musicians can make money without touring. I've used all these methods to make a living as a professional musician. If you are interested in taking music lessons you should check out music lessons in Ann Arbor. I really appreciate you reading the entire article, it means a lot to me! :)