How to Make Money For Musicians
This post was first created during COVID when many people were suddenly out of work. It also applies to any freelancer going through a move to a new city or a period of transition. And it addresses strategy as well as mindset.
I’ve reinvented my business many times in the past 26 years. I’ve coached many musicians to make money, save time, and do more of the work they love. Learn how to survive and thrive as a freelancer or entrepreneur via the video, audio, and/or article below.
You have two options:
- watch and wait, or
- make stuff happen
If you expect opportunities to fall in your lap, consider changing that mindset. I will dig ditches, wash dishes, walk dogs, or do anything necessary to survive. I assume responsibility for the success or failure of my business.
What Kinds of Work Can You Do?
Brainstorm a list of services you can provide. Write it down. Ask someone you trust for feedback on your list.
Offer “One Time Free”– I built my entire career on the “one time free” model. It’s a great way to generate repeat clients.
-If you offer a one-time Free lesson, make the lesson 20 minutes instead of 60.
- Offer to do some kind of work for a new client as a “sample”. This might take 5-20 minutes of your time.
- One free performance. One free consultation. One free edit of a paragraph of someone’s bio, Youtube thumbnails or social media design.
- Make Free Youtube videos with call to action for people to hire you. I created more than 30 Free Play Along Lessons in ten days to showcase related services, many of which come with a free trial
- Write Free emails (containing anything valuable) w calls to hire you
- Post Free performances with links to hire you
List of Your Services :
1) It’s not “finished”
2) It promotes a range of offers from free to premium
Your list could include: “Hire me to walk your dog, edit your bio, create your cd cover art, teach you any softwares that I know” AND “watch my free performances, read these inspirational writings, see photos from my last tour, etc..”
How to Offer Your Services (1-1 or 1 to many):
–Offer to be of service, i.e., ” I’d like to offer to help you with your yard work (or “I’d like to help with anything you need done”). “Would you like help with your arrangements?” If they answer “not now”, offer to followup: “Would you like me to follow up with you about it in the future?”
Ask for Advice: “I’m looking for work. Do you have any advice or suggestions for where or what.. Here are some things I do” (list of services) Do you have any suggestions?
Ask for Referrals: ” I’m offering these services. Do you know anyone you could refer me to who may benefit from these services”
Start with Warm Contacts
These could include people who have hired you, family, friends, church, neighborhood, school, past teachers, students, bandmates, etc…
For personal support from me related to making money
Private Teachers– How to take your private studio online while saving time, generating more income, and serving your students.
Also see How to Create & Monetize Your Content Online
If you struggle with offering your services, here is a deeper dive into how to overcome that reluctance:
Reach out to me at chris@christianhowes.com
You might also be interested in…
Creative Strings Academy – become a more creative and versatile musician with a library of downloads and online DIY trainings.
