Selling Your Music Without Selling Out
In this day and age, we all recognize the weakened economy is taking a severe impact on our budgets and even the arts. Due to the amount of time and work required by music, it is often one of the first things to get left behind as the budget crunch hits and we are forced to go on to pursue higher paying ventures, also known as jobs.
When we put down our guitars to pick up spatulas, we know we have lost a piece of our souls but, sometimes, our obligations leave us with very few realistic options. We have to eat and, for some reason, family members insist we keep a roof over our heads. Playing music may be important to us but, usually, there is a sane person waiting to tell us the same thing they told George Thorogood, "Get a job."
If you want to avoid the fate of becoming the sell out musician turned fry cook playing air guitar in a fast food kitchen, you need to learn how to make money with your music. I know you're reading this and saying, "Yeah, man, that's what I need to know... but do you have any answers?" Actually, yes. There are several ways you can sell your music without selling out.
As a musician, you have a valuable gift that many people would love; The ability to play music. If you find yourself in need of a little regular income, why not take on a student or two? As John Cougar Mellencamp taught us, the only way to get the girl is learn how to play guitar. That musical advice has made sure that skilled guitarists for the last two decades have always had a steady stream of young students holding out handfuls of cash in exchange for learning the secrets of rock 'n' roll guitar riffs.
Another great idea is taking matters into your own hands. If you can't find a recording label to sign your band, become an indie label and produce the music on your own. Yes, it does take a little money to do this but, if you already own the equipment, that is easy to earn. Simply sign up a few local bands for private recording sessions at a modest fee. Spend an hour or two a week recording local talent and you can make enough money to support your own musical habits. If you have a knack for marketing and a bit of ambition, you might even be able to sign these bands to your own indie label and turn your dream of making money doing something you love into reality while helping others attain their dream as well.
You don't have to sell out to survive in the real world. You just have to be able to think outside the box and come up with new solutions. As a musician, you have the gift of creativity on your side. Put it to good use and you can save yourself the indignity of having to get a haircut and get a real job.
When we put down our guitars to pick up spatulas, we know we have lost a piece of our souls but, sometimes, our obligations leave us with very few realistic options. We have to eat and, for some reason, family members insist we keep a roof over our heads. Playing music may be important to us but, usually, there is a sane person waiting to tell us the same thing they told George Thorogood, "Get a job."
If you want to avoid the fate of becoming the sell out musician turned fry cook playing air guitar in a fast food kitchen, you need to learn how to make money with your music. I know you're reading this and saying, "Yeah, man, that's what I need to know... but do you have any answers?" Actually, yes. There are several ways you can sell your music without selling out.
As a musician, you have a valuable gift that many people would love; The ability to play music. If you find yourself in need of a little regular income, why not take on a student or two? As John Cougar Mellencamp taught us, the only way to get the girl is learn how to play guitar. That musical advice has made sure that skilled guitarists for the last two decades have always had a steady stream of young students holding out handfuls of cash in exchange for learning the secrets of rock 'n' roll guitar riffs.
Another great idea is taking matters into your own hands. If you can't find a recording label to sign your band, become an indie label and produce the music on your own. Yes, it does take a little money to do this but, if you already own the equipment, that is easy to earn. Simply sign up a few local bands for private recording sessions at a modest fee. Spend an hour or two a week recording local talent and you can make enough money to support your own musical habits. If you have a knack for marketing and a bit of ambition, you might even be able to sign these bands to your own indie label and turn your dream of making money doing something you love into reality while helping others attain their dream as well.
You don't have to sell out to survive in the real world. You just have to be able to think outside the box and come up with new solutions. As a musician, you have the gift of creativity on your side. Put it to good use and you can save yourself the indignity of having to get a haircut and get a real job.
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