How to Make Money Writing Music: Tips for Licensing, Selling Sheet Music, Performing Gigs, and More

Introduction

Writing music is a great way to express your creativity, but it can also be a source of income. If you’re looking to make money writing music, there are a few things you need to know in order to be successful. This article will explore various ways you can make money writing music, including licensing your music to film and television, selling sheet music, performing gigs, and selling merchandise related to your music.

Licensing Your Music to Film and Television

If you want to make money writing music, one of the most profitable ways to do so is by licensing your music to film and television. When your music is used in a film or TV show, you can get paid royalties for its use. In order to be successful at this, however, you need to know what you need and where to look for opportunities.

When it comes to licensing your music, the first step is to understand the process. You need to know who to contact and what forms of payment are accepted. It’s also important to understand copyright law, as this will determine how much you can get paid for your work. Once you have a good understanding of the process, you can start looking for opportunities.

There are a number of ways to find opportunities to license your music. One of the best ways is to join an online platform such as Songtradr, which connects musicians with filmmakers, TV producers, and other industry professionals. You can also research films and TV shows that are looking for music and contact the production companies directly.

Once you’ve found an opportunity, the next step is to negotiate a deal. It’s important to be realistic about what you can expect to get paid, and to make sure that you get a contract that protects your rights. It’s also important to be flexible and willing to negotiate in order to get the best deal possible.

Selling Sheet Music

Another way to make money writing music is to sell sheet music. This is a great option for composers who want to share their music with others. However, before you start selling your music, it’s important to understand copyright law and make sure that your music is properly protected.

Once you’ve established that your music is legally protected, the next step is to set up an online storefront. There are a number of websites that allow you to sell digital copies of your sheet music, such as Sheet Music Plus. You can also create physical copies of your music and sell them through your own website or on sites like Etsy.

The final step is to promote your music. You can do this by creating social media accounts dedicated to your music and sharing your music with potential customers. You can also reach out to music teachers, conductors, and other musicians who may be interested in purchasing your music.

Performing Gigs

Another way to make money writing music is to perform live gigs. This can be a great way to earn extra money, but it also requires a lot of work. To get started, you need to find venues that are willing to book you for a performance. You can search for venues online, or you can contact local bars, restaurants, and music venues directly.

Once you’ve found a venue, the next step is to book a show. This involves negotiating a fee for your performance, as well as any additional expenses such as travel costs and equipment rental. It’s important to be realistic about what you can expect to get paid and to make sure that you get a contract that protects your rights.

Finally, it’s important to make sure that you get paid for your performance. To do this, you need to collect payment at the end of the show and keep track of all expenses. You should also send invoices to the venue and follow up with them if you don’t receive payment within a reasonable amount of time.

Selling Merchandise Related to Your Music

Another way to make money writing music is to sell merchandise related to your music. This could include t-shirts, posters, CDs, and other items featuring your music. To get started, you need to create products that people will want to buy. You can do this by designing t-shirts or other items with your music logo or artwork.

Once you’ve created your products, the next step is to set up a shop. You can do this through a website such as Shopify or through an online marketplace like Etsy. You’ll also need to figure out how you’ll take payments and ship your products to customers.

The final step is to promote your merchandise. You can do this by creating social media accounts dedicated to your merchandise and sharing it with potential customers. You can also reach out to music blogs and websites and offer to send them free samples of your merchandise.

Joining a Publishing Company or Record Label

Another way to make money writing music is to join a publishing company or record label. This can be a great way to get your music out to a wider audience, but it’s important to understand the pros and cons before signing a deal. Joining a publishing company or record label can give you access to resources and support, but it can also come with restrictions on how and when you can release your music.

To find opportunities to join a publishing company or record label, you can search online or contact industry professionals directly. Once you’ve found an opportunity, it’s important to negotiate a deal that protects your rights and allows you to maintain creative control over your music. It’s also important to be realistic about what you can expect to get paid.

Conclusion

Making money writing music can be challenging, but it’s possible with the right approach. This article has explored various ways you can make money writing music, including licensing your music to film and television, selling sheet music, performing gigs, and selling merchandise related to your music. By following these tips, you can increase your chances of making money from your music.