45 Ways an Artist Can Make Money In 2017

photo: aisletwentytwo (CC by 2.0)

This list was generated as part of Future of Music Coalition’s Artist Revenue Streams research project, a cross-genre multi-method examination of musicians’ revenue streams.  More on this list and other reports here.  As you read this list, remember that every song has a recording and publishing component, each with different revenue possibilities.

Section I. Songwriter and Composer Revenue

1. Publisher Advance

Bulk payment to songwriter/composer as part of a publishing deal. Paid to songwriter/composer by publishing company.

2. Mechanical Royalties

Royalties generated through the reproduction of recordings of your songs – either physical or digital. Paid to songwriter/composer by publisher, label, Harry Fox, or digital aggregator like CD Baby/TuneCore.

3. Commissions

Typically a request from an ensemble, presenter, orchestra or other entity for a composer to create an original work for them.

4. Public Performance (PRO) Royalties

Royalties generated when your songs are played on radio, TV, in clubs and restaurants. Paid to songwriter/composer/publisher by ASCAP/BMI/SESAC.

5. Streaming Mechanical Royalties

Royalties generated when your songs are streamed on on-demand services (Rhapsody, Spotify, Rdio). Paid to publisher by Harry Fox or other mechanical licensing agent. Publisher then pays songwriter/composer.

6. Composing Original Works for Broadcast

Typically a commercial request to compose an *original* jingle, soundtrack, score, or other musical work for a film, TV or cable show, or an ad agency. Paid to songwriter/composer by agency requesting the work.

7. Synch Licenses

Typically involves licensing an *existing* work for use in a movie, documentary, TV, video games, internet, or a commercial. Paid to songwriters/composers either via publisher or record label, or via a direct licensing deal with the licensee (movie studio, ad agency, etc) if you are self published.

8. Sheet Music Sales

Revenue generated by the sale or licensed reproduction of songs/compositions as sheet music. Paid to songwriter/composer by publisher, or directly from purchasers if you are selling it on your website or at performances.

9. Lyric Display

Revenue generated by the licensed display of song lyrics.  Online lyric sites pay publishers, which then pay songwriter/composer.

10. Ringtones

Revenue generated from licensing your songs/compositions for use as ringtones. Paid to songwriter/composer via your publisher, your label or Harry Fox.

11. Songwriter Awards Programs

Awards given by ASCAP and BMI Foundations to writer members of any genre whose performances are primarily in venues outside of broadcast media.

12. Publisher Settlement

Payment from publishers to writers for litigation settlements.

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Section II: Recording Artist Revenue

13. Record Label Advance

Paid to recording artist as part of signing a deal.

14. Record Label Support

Money from label for recording or tour support.

15. Retail Sales

Revenue generated from selling physical recordings in retail stores or via mail order. Paid to recording artist/performer by your label, or services like CD Baby or Bandcamp that help musicians sell physical product.

16. Digital Sales

Revenue generated from selling recordings digitally/online as permanent downloads. Paid to recording artist/performer by your label, or digital aggregator like CD Baby or TuneCore, or directly from fans via services like Bandcamp.

17. Sales at Shows

Revenue generated from selling recordings at shows/live performances. Paid to recording artist/performer directly by fans.

18. Interactive Service Payments

Revenue generated when your recordings are streamed on on-demand services (Rhapsody, Spotify, Rdio).  Paid to recording artist/performer by your label, or digital aggregator like CD Baby or TuneCore.

19. Digital Performance Royalties

Revenue generated when your sound recordings are played on internet radio, Sirius XM, Pandora. Paid to performers by SoundExchange.

20. Master Use Synch Licenses

Typically involves licensing an *existing* sound recording for use in a movie, documentary, TV, video games, internet, or a commercial.  License fee paid to record label and/or recording artist via a direct licensing deal with the licensee (movie studio, ad agency, etc).

21. AARC Royalties

Collected for digital recording of your songs, foreign private copying levies, and foreign record rental royalties, distributed to US artists by AARC.

22. Neighboring Rights Royalties

Collected for the foreign performance of your recordings.

23. Film Musicians Secondary Markets Fund

Paid to performers on recordings used in film, TV and other secondary uses by the Film Musicians’ Secondary Markets Fund.

24. Sound Recording Special Payments Fund

Paid to performers for the sales of music recorded under AFM collective bargaining agreement by the Sound Recordings Special Payments Fund.

25. SAG-AFTRA Contingent Scale Payments

Paid to non-royalty artists when a recording hits certain sales plateaus.

26. Label Settlements

Payments from labels to recording artists for litigation settlements (for example, Limewire).

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Section III: Performer and Session Musician Revenue

27. Salary as Member of Orchestra or Ensemble

Income earned as a salaried member of an orchestra band, or ensemble.

28. Shows/Performance Fees

Revenue generated from playing in a live setting (for non-salaried players).  Paid by concert promoter, presenter or venue to performer.

29. Session Musician/Sideman Fees for Studio Work

Payments to studio musicians/freelancers/sideman for work in recording studio. Paid by label, producer or artist, depending on situation.

30. Session Musician/Sideman Fees for Live Work

Payments to studio musicians/freelancers/sideman for work in a live setting/on tour. Paid by label, producer or artist, depending on situation.

31. Non-Featured Artist Payments

Payments from the AFM & SAG-AFTRA Intellectual Property Rights Distribution Fund, which distributes recording and performance royalties to non-featured artists.

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Part IV: Knowledge of Craft: Teaching and Producing

32. Music Teacher

Revenue generated from teaching your musical craft.

33. Producer

Payment for producing another artists’ work in the studio or in a live setting.  Paid by labels, featured artists, studios, presenters, or foundations, depending on situation.

34. Honoraria or Speakers’ Fees

Payment for conducting a lecture, workshop or master class. Usually paid by school, conservatory, or presenting organization.

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Part V: Brand-Related Revenue

35. Merchandise Sales

Revenue generated from selling branded merchandise (t-shirts, hoodies, posters, etc.).  Paid to artist/performer by fans.

36. Fan Club

Money directly from fans who are subscribing to your fan club.

37. YouTube Partner Program

Shared advertising revenue, paid to partners by YouTube.

38. Ad Revenue

Miscellaneous income generated by your website properties (click-throughs, commissions on Amazon sales, etc.)

39. Persona Licensing

Payments from a brand that is licensing your name or likeness (video games, comic books).

40. Product Endorsements

Payments or free goods from a brand for you endorsing or using their product.

41. Acting

Payments for appearances in TV, commercials, movies.

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Part VI: Fan, Corporate, and Foundation Funding + Other Sources of Revenue

42. Fan Funding

Money directly from fans to support or pre-sell an upcoming recording project or tour (Patreon, Kickstarter, Pledge Music, IndieGogo).

43. Sponsorship

Corporate support for a tour, or for your band/ensemble.

44. Grants

Foundation or public arts grants to support your work/project from foundations, state or federal agencies.

45. Arts Administrator

Money paid to you specifically for managing the administrative aspects of a group that you are a member of.