10 Music Side Hustles for Singers in 2022

Musicians are often scrutinised for their career choices. Working in the music industry is widely seen as unsustainable and reserved for the lucky few. But that’s not the case! If your New Year’s resolution is to turn your passion into a career, here is our list of 10 music side hustles for singers that will help you create a variety of income sources.

Marketplaces

There are numerous freelance marketplaces like Fiverr and Upwork where you can easily find clients from around the world! Members are frequently looking for top-line singers and songwriters to contribute to their records. To get started, make sure you have a decent recording set up at home and set realistic turnaround times that you can commit to. You may find that offering your services cheaper to begin with can help to build up your reputation, and you can raise your prices later.

Sample Libraries

Sample libraries are a great way to create some passive income! If you feel confident in your production skills, you can create these from the comfort of your own home or work with a producer. These samples can be sold on a variety of marketplaces and from your own website. They don’t always have to be songs with lyrics – your samples can include vocal chops, scales and harmonies that other producers can use in their productions. Alternatively, producers will often hire musicians to contribute to their sample packs, which can be a great opportunity to make additional income through session work.

Voiceovers

Having a recording set up at home can expand your income possibilities to voiceovers, especially if you have good acting skills! Voiceover artists can contribute to adverts, TV and film and make a good income from the comfort of their own home. This could be a great option, especially during the current pandemic when live and studio work is often compromised.

Patreon

There is absolutely no shame in asking your audience to support your work and projects! Musicians sometimes shy away from crowdfunding options such as Patreon, but the reality is, with declining music sales, your fans are likely glad to support you. All you need to do is make it worth their while. Patreon users will often create exclusive and behind the scenes content, allowing for more access into their creative process and giving away other benefits to their supporters. You can create various tiers so your audience can start supporting you from as little as $1 per month.

Merch

Merchandise is another great way to productise your singing business! This could be anything from t-shirts, mugs and caps with your logo to your very own product line. You could design your own merch or, alternatively, do it in collaboration with another brand which may help you reach new audiences. Due to the increased popularity in streaming, CDs and vinyls can also be part of your merch and a way for your fans to purchase a physical copy of your music.

Content creation

Many emerging artists have taken advantage of growing their social media presence with consistent and engaging content. This could be in the form of YouTube videos and short-form content like reels and TikToks. You could be making tutorials, performance videos, funny and entertaining content. As your audience grows, you will see opportunities to make money through content creation via ads and brand partnerships. Keep in mind content creation is a slow and steady music side hustle for singers, and you need to love it since results won’t come immediately. If you stick with it and remain consistent, however, it can lead to some incredible career opportunities.

Affiliate Marketing

Affiliate marketing is a great way to make passive income as a musician! You can sign up for an affiliate account through companies like Amazon, Plugin Boutique and Thomann. Once accepted, you will get an affiliate account with a special link that tracks visitors who have clicked on it. If the visitor makes a purchase, the person with the affiliate account receives a commission. This is where having a larger online presence on your website and social media can help you generate additional passive income.

Songwriting

Songwriters get a far bigger share of royalties than performers, and there are many more avenues for you to explore as a competent songwriter! You could write for film, tv and adverts, commission for sessions and so much more. Some songwriters even offer to write unique and personal songs for birthday parties, weddings and more. No matter which direction works best for you, it’s very beneficial to work on your writing skills.

Session Musicianship

Being a session musician is a lucrative and varied addition to your singing career! You could be doing backing vocals, singing top lines on stage or in the studio. Usually, session musicians will charge a specific rate per session, which means you don’t need to wait for royalty payments to come through. Platforms like Fiverr and Upwork can help you find remote session work, which is great if the music scene in your local area is sparse. With a good setup at home, you can easily work as a remote session musician, collaborating with producers and songwriters from around the world.

Workshops

Many of us are aware of the incredible mental and physical benefits of music and singing, so why not use your skills and introduce others to music! You could run workshops for vocalists and even teach songwriting, music production and other music skills. This can be a great way to bring your local community together, meet new people and guarantee regular and sustainable income. Many musicians make their money through teaching. Remember, this needs to be your passion! But there are also many avenues to pursue in music education. You could be running remote sessions, creating online courses, teaching one to one or larger groups.

Adult Singing Lessons Are Behind Every Vocalist’s Career Success!

To make money from music, you must develop your singing skills! At London Singing Institute, we specialise in providing adult singing lessons in a supportive, encouraging environment. We can teach you techniques across all popular genres, including musical theatre, pop, blues, jazz, rock and classical. You will learn how to maintain your voice and always sound your best, avoiding the health risks that come with frequent use. Our coaches also have years of experience of working in the industry, and they’d gladly offer some advice for your budding singing career.