Music Production

How to Make Money on My Music?

Music production is still a huge untapped market! Independent artists looking to have a career in the music industry love the sense of adventure, but they love even more if they can make money on their music. What you have to learn is to how to set up an automated system for growing your fanbase and how to sell music online.

Time Management

As a Musician in order to be successful you need to improve your time management skills and communication skills. This is hard truth, but most of creative people don't look at the clock too often. We recommend to use approved methods, sign up for the relevant course, or simply use relevant tools online. If procrastination is your second nature and the feeling of avoidance of doing a task is accompanying you you should improve fairly soon. Nobody likes their favorite artist being late for shows. Jokes aside, this what can really help you are 'Mind Hacking' methods, that allows you to beat your procrastination for good. In this case we recommend two methods that will quickly and systematically awaken your natural, inborn productivity abilities you have always had but somehow lost along the way. They are "The Procrastination Fix" and "Find Your Focus". A Solution to your procrastination problem, much better than a book that you get bored reading before you finish the second chapter.

There are a lot of resources out there that can help you get closer to 1,000 True Fans. Search Google, and you’ll find all kinds of articles, blog posts, and videos with tips for growing a following as an independent artist. A lot of them can be really helpful, but the problem is that most of those videos and articles are only giving you a small piece of the puzzle. These tips aren’t going to really help you much if you don’t have an actual "A to Z strategy" to apply them to and you’ll find all kinds of conflicting information. So, how to succeed if you don’t really know who to listen to, and what to actually implement?

Fortunately, you don't have to learn how to promote your music the hard way, as there's another option. You need a proven, step-by-step strategy that will take you from ground zero just starting out, with little or no fans.

Health, Fitness & Addictions

Every promising musician will face some challenges, regardless their age, gender, or quality of music they deliver. In this matter there are no exceptions and everybody have to look after themselves, exercise, sleep and eat well to deliver quality over quantity, or to deliver anything at all in some cases.

When it comes to overcoming addictions, a very common situation often arises. Some people go into “denial mode” and argue that they don’t have a problem and don’t need anything, but the first step in overcoming anything is realizing and accepting that you do have a serious problem that needs proper attention immediately.

If this is for you we suggest to sign-up with the best alcohol reduction program the world has ever seen before "Control Your Drinking... In Just 7 Days", if you want to stop smoking we suggest: "How To Quit Weed Without Withdrawals Or Sleepless Nights, Plus: Natural Marijuana Detox At Home", or "Quit Smoking Magic" with 98% Success Rate Guaranteed. If you’re a smoker, this will be the most important course you’ll ever take.

How To Get New Fans

Getting new fans can be a very difficult task. The music market is very competitive and you will need help.

This is what you can do as a staring point:

1. Find new fans.

In order to find new fans you have to promote your music, or invite people to join your existing network. Start a new Facebook Group and invite people, show them your music. Start selling your music on Ebay for a very little money. After a few months you will be able to put your prices up.

2. Build a connection with those fans.

Create strong links with your fans by building a website, where your fans will be able to leave you feedback, or start a YouTube channel and communicate with your future fans.

3. Turn them into the True Fans that are going to come to all your shows, download all of your albums, and buy all your music.

You can do this by developing a long-lasting relationship, this takes time and energy.

MUSIC MANAGER, OR ONLINE MANAGER

Who should you choose?

There are several systems available to follow and implement, but they are not cheap. Experienced manager will charge you substantial amount of your income, so it is worth to consider other options.

Money

You can still work extra shifts, or take advantage of an alternative income generating methods and try to save up for a real deal industry standard manager. You can try to save on your bills, or get additional training to get a better job in the meantime. If you’re in debt, you can get out of it, but this will require a lot of planning. If you like helping out other people and listen to their problems you can become certified as a Life Coach for a discounted price. If you think that this has nothing to do with the music industry think again. During your journey you will meet many people that may need help, this will help you as well. You will be exposed to stress (live concerts, stage fright), it is good to understand the processes behind this and work on your Life-Balance. People skills are extremely important in the music industry, this is how you gain the public, money and fame.

The System

There is however; one system we would like to mention to you, that is available at reasonable money and very effective. It walks you through the entire process step-by-step with detailed videos that show you exactly how to do everything you need to do to get your music out to the people that will enjoy it and want to help support you in your music career. This system is easy, error free and enjoyable. You could literally have it up and running TODAY, as this system doesn’t JUST help you get more fans, its automated promotions are sent out to sell your music as well. Once it’s set up, it will run 24/7 whether you’re around or not. That means you can go to sleep at night and wake up in the morning with more fans than you had when you went to bed.

HOW TO PROMOTE AND SELL

Marketing

It is not a secret that you will need a website and email. You can choose from thousands of high ticket providers, we however recommend inexpensive "Niche Website Templates". We think that you would want your website to look different and be as professional as possible, and also very affordable. if you don't want to spend money on professional SEO to rank your website in the search engines you can try to use google and search for your key words, or get a "Keyword Researcher".

What is automated music promotion system?

In today's music industry standard to have a fully-automated music promotion system in place that will grow your fanbase and sell your music. This is a must if you want to compete with the big bands/names. Automated music promotion system will help you to free up time and will work for you while you sleep.

You need time to focus on the part of your career that you’re actually passionate about… making music.

You would be able to devote as much time as you want to writing and recording music, and performing live shows. You would never have to put your music career on hold while you spend most of your time working some other job just to make ends meet. And by freeing yourself up to focus all of your effort on your music career.

SELF-PUBLISHING!

What are my other options?

When you write a song on your keyboard, or piano and it plays on the radio, or TV you get paid performance royalties. If you self-publish that song, you get paid double because you receive the writer’s share and the publisher’s share. Before you do that however you should know that music publishing is the commercial exploitation of a composition.

Composition vs Sound Recording

Understanding the difference between a Composition and a Sound Recording is key to understanding how you will get paid in the today's music industry. A Composition and a Sound Recording are two very different types of assets you can build your music career on. In order to benefit from revenue streams you need to learn to understand the difference between the two.

The Composition is the written lyrics and music. It is created by you, the composer or songwriter.

The Sound Recording is the music and lyrics you hear. It is recorded by performing artists like singers, band members or session musicians.

If you write and record your own songs, then you’re both a Composer and a Recording Artist. But that’s not always the case. For example, when you write the composition but there are lots of different sound recordings of that song. If you play and record you own music you are the composer and the recording artist.

If someone else play your song you still will be the the composer (your song!) but someone else is the recording artist this time. Songwriters and Recording Artists are not represented by the same people. The Composer may contact a Music Publisher to help administer the copyright related to the Composition.

The Recording Artist may rely on a Record Company to administer the copyright related to the Sound Recording. Music Publishers will try to maximize the number of times the Composition is performed (on TV, on the radio, live, etc). Because every time the composition is performed, the Composer and the Publisher get paid. Record Companies will try to maximize the number of times the Sound Recording is copied (on an CD, vinyl, DVD, video game). That’s when the Recording Artist and Record Company get paid.

COMPOSITION AND SOUND RECORDING

Making the distinction between the Composition and the Sound Recording is KEY because the two are different products: Composers and Recording Artists don’t make the same kind of money. When you are writing and recording original music, you are maximizing your revenue streams because you can earn money related to the use of the Composition and the Sound Recording.

When you’re recording other people’s music (like Jeff Buckley in this example), you’re only making money related to the use of the Sound Recording you’re performing on.

When you’re writing original music (your own unique song), you’re giving yourself the option to have other artists record it. You could then find yourself in a position where your song gets visibility and money when someone famous performs it.

How to protect your Composition and your Sound Recording?

- When you’re working with co-writers, you will be sharing revenues related to the Composition

- Income related to the Sound Recording is something different and will be linked to the agreements you will sign with additional band members or session musicians

- If you want to be safe and protected your song fully you need to copyright both the Composition and the Sound Recording

- You need to respect other Songwriter’s rights

How to achieve visibility?

Simply record covers of popular songs. They are always in demand and will bring you a lot of visibility and perhaps even fame, but if you’re looking to commercially use someone else’s composition, you’ll need their authorization. You can use https://www.harryfox.com/ The Harry Fox Agency to do it legally. Please keep in mind the different income opportunities that exist for Composers and Recording Artists, as Singer-Songwriters and Performing Artists don’t get paid the same way, or by the same people. It all depends on where you music will be played TV, Radio, Album, Film.

It is different from the commercial exploitation of a sound recording which is traditionally handled by a record label.

A music publisher’s role includes:

- Making sure songwriters gets paid when their composition is used

- Promoting existing compositions to recording artists, film and television, i.e. finding licensing opportunities

If you self-publish, you own 100% of the song’s rights and you are entitled to 100% of the revenue generated by those rights. You also get to keep more money from mechanical royalties and ALL the money related to licensing commissions (when someone else performs your song) and sync fees (when someone wants to use your song in an audiovisual project).

100% and 200% Rule

Sometimes people refer to owning 200% of a song’s rights. (That’s how BMI think of writers and publishers’ shares for example). That’s because they see it as owning 100% of the writer’s share and 100% of the publisher’s share, i.e. 200% in total. In effect, they are self-publishing and will keep 100% of the revenue generated by the writer’s and publisher’s rights. By self-publishing your music, you stay in control of where your music goes, what projects it’s associated with. When self-publishing your music you don’t have to trust a third-party music publisher to make the right call for your music career and you keep more control over your brand. You are not tied down to a deal, or a music company for many years (usually 5+ years).

When you’re self-publishing music, you’re free to commercially exploit your music how you see fit (more control) and you don’t have to rely on a third-party music publisher who may or may not put in the work they promised they would. Self-publishing music is definitely not easy and, if you decide to go down that road, you face some challenges you don’t have an expertise, access to a network and PR experience with recording artists, film and television. During this initial time you should sign up with some music licensing companies and attend music conferences. This is where you will get help in getting work and learn how to work with draft license agreements and finally sell and actually close your deals.

SUMMARY

What are my other options?

There are obviously other options like creating your Website, maintaining your social media contacts and gaining new friends. Alternatively you can distribute and publish your own music without a label online. You can set-up your Youtube Channel, or other platform to share your work.

If you’re serious about publishing your own music and want to earn royalties from it, one of the first things to do is hook up with a performing rights organization (PRO). A performance rights organisation (PRO), also known as a performing rights society, provides intermediary functions, particularly collection of royalties, between copyright holders and parties who wish to use copyrighted works publicly in locations such as shopping and dining venues. PROs essentially ensure that you’ll receive royalties for your music when played in public venues. You will still need someone to help you to promote your music and build a solid fanbase. For this purpose you may want to consider hiring a manager, or getting an automated system that works.

There is one this one thing you should be aware of. It is extremely difficult to create, promote and sell music yourself, but be carefull, as if you sign a deal with a wrong music publisher and they won't deliver, it can really set your music career back for many years. We recommend to get the right tools and start self-publishing music and learning the basics at your own pace. Register as a Publisher with a Performance Rights Organization, ASCAP (The American Society of Composers, Authors and Publishers), or/and with BMI. A performance rights organisation (PRO), also known as a performing rights society, provides intermediary functions, particularly collection of royalties, between copyright holders and parties who wish to use copyrighted works publicly in locations such as shopping and dining venues. PROs essentially ensure that you’ll receive royalties for your music when played in public venues. BMI was founded in 1939 by forward-thinkers who wanted to represent songwriters in emerging genres, like jazz, blues and country, and protect the public performances of their music. Operating on a non-profit-making basis, BMI is now the largest music rights organization in the U.S. and is still nurturing new talent and new music. BMI is the bridge between songwriters and the businesses and organizations that want to play their music publicly. As a global leader in music rights management, BMI serves as an advocate for the value of music, representing over 17 million musical works created and owned by more than 1.1 million songwriters, composers and music publishers. BMI supports its songwriters, composers and publishers by taking care of an important aspect of their careers – getting paid. BMI supports businesses and organizations that play music publicly by offering blanket music licenses that permit them to play over 17 million musical works. Both relationships save each time and money. When a BMI song is played on the radio or TV and there are no publishers attached to that song, BMI pays 100% of the performance royalties to the writers, that means to you. You will still need someone to help you to promote your music and build a solid fanbase. For this purpose you may want to consider hiring a manager, or getting an automated system that works. The next step is to start networking on social media, reach out for international movie making companies, they may use your music in their productions. Get a website and publish your achievements. Alternatively you can distribute and publish your own music without a label online. You can set-up your Youtube Channel, or other platform to share your work. This is how you will start creating your professional portfolio online.

Learn more about Music Production.

Learn more about Artist Management for the Music Business.