You're the lead singer in a garage band or you're a karaoke star at your local nightclub. Either way, you've got talent and you want to turn that talent into some cash. Making money as a musician is the dream of many aspiring artists, but short of thumbing your guitar and crooning on a street corner with a tip jar nearby, you have no idea how to make some serious money. The quickest road to stardom may come on one of those television talent shows. But, if you don't have the time and simply do not enjoy the withering criticism of some of the judges, then other options should be explored including the following.
1. Live entertainment. Hit the local nightclubs, bars and social clubs to meet with the manager. Explain who you are, what talent you have and what you can bring to the club. You need to promote yourself strongly here and present your contact information on a business card. Expect to do an impromptu performance before the club manager with perhaps one or two other people also watching. It helps if you can bring a following with you, but if not, you can offer to divide the night's door earnings or simply agree to a flat fee. If you are well received, you'll be invited back. If not, you'll need to move on to your next gig. 2. Record it yourself. These days, aspiring musicians know that distributing their own music is a necessary part of showcasing their talents. Record your music in a high quality digital format and have a friend develop your cover art. As long as you have the rights to your music, you can distribute it. Contact a music distribution service such as Zimbalan, Tunecore or Ditto Music to distribute your music. Find a service that can get your tunes to Amazon, iTunes, Spotify and other online stores and can also handle your publishing administration. 3. Sell swag. Swag or "stuff we all get" is another term for "merch" or merchandise. As soon as people learn who you are and are interested in your talents, you've developed a following that will want to buy your stuff, not just your music. This is why you need to work with a premier artist to develop your cover. Your cover should be visually appealing, interesting and totally marketable. Hoodies, tee shirts, backpacks, buttons, badges and stickers can all be sold. Use those funds to support your budding business. Work with a distributor to handle marketing for a cut in the action. 4. Accompany other musicians. Okay, you've got talent. But, you don't have much cash, at least not yet. One way to earn money is to shill for other musicians. Yes, promote who they are and what they do. You can also accompany them! As an accompanist, you can work with a known talent and perhaps use that relationship as a springboard to bigger and better things. John Entwistle, bass guitarist for The Who, may not have made it big on his own. But, Paul McCartney of The Beatles did as did freelancer James Jamerson of Motown fame. 5. Take a job, any job. The reality for many budding musicians is that have to work at some really crappy jobs before making it big. You may be a rock star, but you weren't born one! Rocker Joe Lewis worked at a pawn shop. Jack White was an upholsterer. Cindy Lauper cleaned out dog kennels, which may have inspired her, "Girls Just Want to Have Fun" hit. There may not be much glory in what you do, but at least there is cold, hard cash. The Road to Fame Then again, fame isn't all that it is cracked up to be. You'll be hounded mercilessly by your fans, written up by reporters, you'll get to hob-nob with celebrities and your days of scraping by may be forever gone. Hmmm…. Sources The Musicians Guide: Which Music Distribution Service Rocks the Most? -- http://www.themusiciansguide.co.uk/blog/15/which-music-distribution-service-rocks-the-most/ Yahoo: Top 10 Greatest Bass Guitar Players Ever -- http://voices.yahoo.com/top-10-greatest-bass-guitar-players-ever-3755836.html?cat=33 Paste Magazine: 14 Jobs Musicians Had Before They Were Famous -- http://www.pastemagazine.com/blogs/lists/2011/06/musicians-jobs-before-they-were-famous.html
Justin Miller is a professional blogger that writes for Jamplay.com. JamPlay is a leading online music educator offering 2,000+ guitar lessons for beginners online in HD.
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I'm Louida from Atlanta, Georgia and I'm a mother of two daughters, and a full-time blogger/influencer.
I love helping others learn how to start working from home online free to help supplement their current income. I also blog at Productreviewmom.com Subscribe to newsletter
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