How Do Singers Make Money? A Guide for Aspiring Artists
How do singers make money

Disclaimer: We rely on our users to support our website. When you click through the affiliate links on our website, we earn affiliate commissions. We do not provide financial advice through this site.

How Do Singers Make Money? A Guide for Aspiring Artists

If you love singing and want to pursue it as a career, you might be wondering how do singers make money. The answer is not simple, as there are many factors that affect a singer’s income.

In this article, we will explore some of the common ways that singers earn money, as well as some of the challenges and opportunities that they face in the music industry.

How do singers make money
How Do Singers Make Money?

How Do Singers Make Money?

Music Sales

One way that singers make money is by selling their music. They can sell it in different ways, such as CDs, records, or online. But selling music is not as easy as it used to be.

Many people download or stream music for free online. This means that singers earn less from their music sales.

Also, singers have to share what they generate from their music sales with other people. They have to pay their record label, their producer, their manager, and anyone else who helped them make their music. Sometimes, they only get a small part of the money.

For example, Taylor Swift is one of the most famous singers in the world. She makes a lot of cash from her music sales.

But she does not get all of it. In 2023, she had 26.1 billion streams on Spotify1. This means that people listened to her songs 26.1 billion times on Spotify. 

Spotify paid her about $97 million for that. But she had to pay some of that money to other people. She only got $0.0037 for each stream. That means she needed about 27,000 streams to make $100.

0
Making money From Singing

How do you think singers make money?

If ‘Other’ is filled, checked answers are ignored.

How Singers Make Money from Music Royalties

Singers can make money from music royalties. Royalties are money that singers get when their music is used or played in public. There are two kinds of royalties:

Performance Royalties

Performance royalties are money that singers get when their music is played in public places, like on the radio or in a concert. Performance royalties are collected and given to singers by groups called performing rights societies.

A group of people singing in a recording studio while exploring how singers make money.

Mechanical Royalties

Mechanical royalties are money that singers get when their music is copied or shared, like through downloads or streams.

Mechanical royalties are collected and given to singers by groups called mechanical rights societies. Mechanical rights societies are groups that collect mechanical royalties for singers and music writers whenever their music is copied or shared.

For example, in the US, some of the biggest mechanical rights societies are the Harry Fox Agency and Music Reports. They collect the royalties that come from uses like digital downloads and music streaming, and give those royalties to the singers and music writers.

The amount of money that singers get from royalties depends on things like how often their music is played in public, downloaded, or streamed.

Performing rights societies like ASCAP, BMI, and SESAC in the US collect performance royalties and pay singers, music writers and music publishers.

Mechanical rights societies like the Harry Fox Agency and Music Reports in the US collect mechanical royalties and pay singers, music writers and music publishers too.

PlatformEstimated Royalty Range per Stream (USD)Last Updated
Spotify$0.003 – $0.0052024 Q1
Apple Music$0.007 – $0.0092023 Q4
Amazon Music Unlimited$0.004 – $0.0062024 Q1
Deezer$0.005 – $0.0072024 Q1
YouTube Music Premium$0.004 – $0.0062024 Q1
Music Streaming rates per Stream (USD) in 2024 (rates may have changed)

Performance Fees

Performance fees are payments that singers negotiate with event organizers for performing live shows, such as at concerts, festivals, or private events.

These fees can be a major source of income for singers, especially for those who have a loyal fan base and can sell out large venues.

According to Billboard, the top 25 highest-paid musicians in 2019 made a combined total of $963.5 million from touring alone.

However, performance fees are not guaranteed, and they depend on many factors, such as the size and location of the venue, the demand and supply of tickets, the reputation and popularity of the singer, and the negotiation skills of the singer and their agent.

Performance fees can also vary from show to show, depending on the type of event and the audience.

How can singers get the best deal?

  • Research. Before making a deal, singers should learn about the place, the event, the audience, and the market. They should know how much other singers get for similar shows, how much the event organizer can pay, how much the audience can pay, and what the demand and supply are. They should also check if the place and the event have any problems or bad reviews that might affect their show.
  • Be realistic. Singers should have realistic goals about how much they can get for their performance fees. They should not ask for too much or too little, but for a fair amount. They should also be ready to negotiate and make trade-offs, and not be too stubborn or greedy. They should think about the pros and cons of each offer, and compare them to their needs and wants.
  • Be professional. Singers should be polite and respectful when making a deal with the event organizer. They should communicate clearly and avoid any fights or misunderstandings. They should also be honest and reliable, and not lie or cheat. They should also follow the rules of the contract, and give a good performance that makes the event organizer and the audience happy.

Performance fees are a good way for singers to make money from their music, but they are not easy to get or keep.

Singers need to work hard, be smart, and be creative to get the best deal. By doing these things, singers can get paid well for their live shows.

A woman singing into a microphone, exploring how singers make money.

Other Ways To Earn Money

Besides the three main ways that singers make a living, there are also other ways that singers can generate income from their music, such as:

Start Your Own Youtube channel

If you love singing, you can use YouTube to share your music and skills with many people. YouTube is a website where you can upload your videos and watch other people’s videos.

You can also make money from your YouTube videos by joining a special program and showing ads on your videos.

How to Join the Special Program and Show Ads

The special program is called the YouTube Partner Program. It lets you show ads on your videos and get some cash from them. But you need to follow some rules to join the program, such as:

  • You need to have a lot of people watching your videos. At least 4,000 hours in the last year.
  • You need to have a lot of people who subscribe to your channel. At least 1,000 people.
  • You need to live in a country where the program is allowed.

Other Ways to Earn Money from Your YouTube Channel

Besides showing ads, there are other ways to earn money from your YouTube channel. One way is to sell things that you make or offer through your channel.

For example, you can sell clothes with your name or logo, music that people can download, or classes that teach people how to sing.

Another way is to license your music to other people or businesses who want to use it in their projects. For example, you can license your music to other singers or bands who want to use it in their songs, or to movie makers or TV shows who want to use it in their scenes, or to advertisers who want to use it in their ads.

A third way is to create videos for other YouTube channels who are willing to pay you for your work. For example, you can create videos with other singers or channels, or be a guest on their videos, or promote something that they want you to talk about.

How Your YouTube Channel Can Help Your Singing Career

Having a YouTube channel can also help your singing career in other ways. It can help you:

  • Make more people see and hear your music and skills. You can reach a big and different audience on YouTube.
  • Make a name for yourself as a singer. You can build your brand and reputation on YouTube.
  • Talk to your fans and get their opinions and support. You can engage with your fans and get feedback and support from them on YouTube.
  • Learn new things and ways to sing from other singers and experts. You can watch other singers and experts on YouTube and learn from them.

Merchandise 

Singers can sell branded products, such as T-shirts, hats, posters, stickers, and accessories, to their fans.

Merchandise can be a great way to increase fan loyalty and engagement, as well as to earn extra income.

However, singers have to consider the costs of production, distribution, and marketing of their merchandise, as well as the quality and design of their products.

Sponsorships

Singers can partner with brands or companies that are relevant to their music, image, or audience, and promote their products or services in exchange for money or other benefits.

Sponsorships can be a lucrative way to boost a singer’s exposure and credibility, as well as to access new resources and opportunities.

However, singers have to be careful about choosing the right sponsors, and not compromising their artistic integrity or alienating their fans.

Crowdfunding

Singers can raise money from their fans or supporters to fund their music projects, such as recording, touring, or releasing new albums.

Crowdfunding can be a powerful way to involve fans in the creative process, and to get feedback and validation for their music. However, singers have to deliver on their promises, and provide rewards and updates to their backers.

crowdfunding,  how do singers make money

Patreon

Patreon is a website that allows content creators, such as singers, to receive donations from their fans. Fans can donate to their favorite content creators on a monthly or per-release basis.

As singers can receive regular payments from their fans, this can be a great way to make extra money. Patreon also allows singers to offer exclusive rewards to their fans who donate which increases engagement with fans.

Teaching

Singers can offer their skills and expertise to others who want to learn how to sing, or improve their singing abilities.

Teaching can be a rewarding way to share one’s passion and knowledge, and to make a positive impact on others.

However, singers have to be qualified and experienced, and have the time and patience to teach.

Talent Shows

One of the ways singers can boost their career is by entering talent contests. These are competitions that showcase different aspects of singing, such as vocal performance, songwriting, or musical composition.

Talent contests can help you gain exposure and recognition from industry experts.

You can also earn some amazing rewards, such as money, record deals, and publishing opportunities. These can be valuable sources of revenue stream for independent musicians.

Moreover, you can improve your chances of getting noticed by music labels and landing a record contract.

Tips and Insights from Successful Singers

To give you some inspiration and guidance, here are some tips and insights from successful singers who have made a living from their music:

  • Diversify your income streams: Don’t rely on one source of income, but explore different ways to make a living from your music. For example, Beyoncé, one of the most influential singers in the world, has multiple income streams, such as music sales, music royalties, performance fees, merchandise, sponsorships, endorsements, and investments.
  • Build your fan base: The more fans you have, the more money you can make from your music. Fans are the ones who buy your music, attend your shows, support your projects, and spread the word about you. Therefore, you need to focus on building and nurturing your fan base, by creating quality music, engaging with them on social media, offering them exclusive content and experiences, and rewarding their loyalty.
  • Invest in your music: This means spending money on things that will improve your music quality, such as equipment, software, studio time, production, mixing, mastering, and promotion. You also need to invest in your music education, by learning new skills, techniques, and trends, and seeking feedback and mentorship from experts.
  • Be flexible and adaptable: The music industry is constantly changing, and you need to be able to adapt to the new challenges and opportunities that arise. For example, Billie Eilish, one of the most successful singers of the 2020s, started her career by uploading her songs on SoundCloud, a platform that allows independent artists to share their music online. She also used social media, such as Instagram and TikTok, to connect with her fans and showcase her personality and style.
  • Be passionate and persistent: Making a living from singing is not easy, and it requires a lot of hard work, dedication, and perseverance. You will face many obstacles, rejections, and failures, and you will need to overcome them with passion and persistence. For example, Lady Gaga, one of the most iconic singers of the 21st century, was dropped by her first record label, Island Def Jam, after only three months. She did not give up, but continued to pursue her music career, and eventually became a global superstar.

Conclusion – How Do Singers Make Money?

Singing is a wonderful and fulfilling activity, but it can also be a viable and rewarding career. However, making a living from singing is not easy, and it requires a lot of skills, strategies, and resources.

In this article, we have discussed some of the common ways that singers make money, such as music sales, music royalties, performance fees, and other ways.

We have also shared some tips and insights from successful singers who have managed to turn their hobby into a career.

Tai Andrews Instrumentals

Search

Sign up to mailing list for more guides and insights​

Terms of service      Free beats policy      Privacy policy

Share

Stay connected

Get Fresh Content From Tai Andrews

HOLD ON!

Have you listened to my R&B Beats yet?

Use the code: GREAT15 for 15% off ALL beats!