5 Things You Need to Make Money as a Music Producer

Many aspiring musicians want their careers to lift off with the intent to make money. Sure, some are more interested in fame rather than monetary gain, but living without income is hardly possible.

Of course, you should not expect to make money just like that. You need a plan and, most importantly, the content that you are going to sell to interested listeners.

Let's take a look at some of the most important things that a music producer needs for their work in detail.

A Computer

A computer is a good place to start. It is hard to imagine music production without one. Right now, there are plenty of different options as far as computers go. For some, laptops are the go-to choice because of their portability, whereas others prefer custom-built desktop computers that come with better hardware.

Price matters a lot, and the more money you can spend, the more likely you are to get a better computer. Having said that, getting a second-hand computer should not be out of the question either, especially if you are looking to save money.

As far as some simpler things go, such as wanting to change folder color to keep track of file organization easier or using specific keyboard shortcuts for efficiency, you need to consider the operating system as well.

Overall, less tech-savvy people might have some problems determining what computer they want even if they understand their needs for the most part, specifically when it comes to using music production software. If that is the case, seeking professional help is a good approach, as there are consultants available.

Music Software

Speaking of music production software, it is hard to pinpoint what to choose because there are so many different options.

It is also worth noting that both complicated and simpler software is available and that you should pick one depending on your experience. Once you level up, you can proceed to more advanced tools that come with additional features.

Some of the most popular music production software examples include Logic Pro X, Fl Studio, Magicx Acid Pro, and Cockos Reaper.

If nothing else, you should delve deeper into each software and discover its features, pricing plans, and other relevant details. Since there are many reviews on the internet, finding information about music production software should not be an issue.

A Website

Some would argue that an actual website might feel like an outdated thing because of social media (Facebook, Instagram, YouTube) and streaming services like Spotify. However, a proper personal page still adds weight to you as a music producer.

Someone might be looking up your bio on a search engine, and seeing a website is a nice surprise.

Now, the question is what you are going to put on the said website. Besides the obvious, such as contact information and your music, you could treat the site as a blog and share your experience by publishing articles.

A journey of an aspiring music producer from the bottom to the top would be something interesting to follow. And if you can gather an audience by blogging, you can expect to convert them to listeners as well.

Social Media Presence

Once you figure out how to approach your website and what to do with it, you can then shift your focus to social media presence.

These days, it is difficult to imagine brands surviving without Instagram, Twitter, Facebook, and other social media sites. And if you want to make money as a musician, then be prepared to create campaigns on SM sites.

Think of how you can approach different audiences and how you can get them interested in listening to your music. For instance, you could post teasers with samples from the upcoming tracks or share exclusive behind-the-scenes footage of music production.

Some artists use the story feature on Instagram and Facebook because it gathers attention and stays only 24 hours, creating the fear of missing out.

Contests with merchandise when you give away t-shirts, caps, and other merch are also great to build engagement and attract new audiences.

The bottom line is that social media is a great marketing tool, so it would be a waste not to make the most out of it.

Collaboration Opportunities

The last thing you need is opportunities to collaborate. Be it other artists or influencers on social media, if both parties benefit from a collaboration, they should take such opportunities.

A simple example of collaboration would be producing a song with another artist and releasing it on channels of both artists.

Shoutouts from influencers on social media or content creators using your music in their videos work as well.

Similar to social media, it is recommended to utilize collaboration opportunities and treat them as one of the best ways to advertise your music.