Many beginner music producers wonder if they can earn money from their hobby and cover their bills. This article will explore the possibilities of making money in music production and the methods to achieve it.
Apart from just making beats and releasing them, there’s a whole list of other things you could be getting involved in as a music producer that’ll not just put some extra money in your pocket but also raise your brand and diversify your skill set at the same time. The key is being open-minded, branching out and applying your expertise and knowledge to as many lucrative opportunities as possible. In this article, we will take a look at some of the best ways a music producer can earn money and fulfil their creative aspirations. You can choose to pursue multiple side hustles and build a network within the music industry. Let’s delve into these opportunities in detail below.
Here are some of the best ways to earn money through music:
- Selling Beats and Samples
- Offering Mixing and Mastering
- Play Shows & Gigs
- Teach Music Production & DJing
- Produce music for Others
- Sell Merchandise
- Make music for Films & Television
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1. Selling Beats and Samples:
In 2025, there is a norm of making money from different sources. By doing a side hustle or investing in numerous businesses. But when we talk about music production, is it possible to generate monetary value other than royalties and doing the usual stuff? The answer is a big yes, by selling beats and samples online. Here’s how you can start selling beats and samples:
- Start making unique beats and samples, which creatively attract more producers
- Take inspiration from well-known artists and their style,, such as you can produce Kendrick Lamar-type beats, Beats inspired by Metro Boomin or sample packs inspired by artists such as Fred Again, Skrillex, Bonobo and more.
- Upload them on YouTube to gain an audience base, which helps in the long term of your journey.
- Built a strong social media presence by uploading reels and shorts. Also, to gain followers, you can give away free beats and samples.
- Approach platforms such as Splice, Loopmasters, Beatstars, etc. To consider your packs and beats on their websites.
If you’re new to producing music, sample packs might not be the best option for you at this stage. Instead, consider using platforms to sell your beats for YouTube creators, rappers, or other copyright-free content. Initially, you might find it challenging to sell your beats, but with consistency and effective marketing of your brand and skills, you’ll build credibility over time.
2. Offering Mixing and Mastering:
Mixing and mastering these two aspects is the most important, at the same time, the most difficult part of music production. Not every producer or composer is good at the technical knowledge of mixing and mastering. What you can offer here is a high-quality mix of a track in exchange for money. If you look at all the trending songs by any renowned artist, it is separately mixed by a mixing engineer. These professionals are true masters of their craft. You can take inspiration from Serban Ghenea, Jaycen Joshua, or even Kendrick Lamar’s mixing engineer, Derek “MixedByAli” Ali. To start with, mixing and mastering, try to replicate the mixes of famous tracks and then learn the techniques by practising them.
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At first, you have to mix it for free or for a lower amount of money, but later, you can charge according to the market and your skills. On the other side, if you’re a big generator, first focus on making your mix balanced and then approach other artists. Additionally, mixing as well as mastering with the right set of plugins is another thing that producers need to understand. For example, using the UAD Pultec EQ on bass and kick can significantly enhance the sound, or using the right reverb can elevate the mix. These choices can transform your mix from amateur to professional. But remember, as a producer who is good at mixing and mastering, you have to train your ears with the right pair of monitors. For more details, you can check out the tutorial below.
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3. Play Shows & Gigs:
Playing gigs is our third way to make money as a music producer. And that’s it. Playing shows can have a lot of benefits. Firstly, it will create a known identity, and secondly, you can reinvest the money in marketing and branding. On the other side, if you are looking for some projects and client to sell your beats and mix their tracks, this directly helps you with networking and collabs. There are a lot of benefits, but now let’s focus on how one can become a bedroom DJ to a club DJ. Here are some steps that a Producer/DJ must follow:
- Build a social media presence, It helps in establishing credibility for your brand image.
- Contact local promoters and clubs.
- Live stream on Twitch and YouTube to increase visibility with promoters and other DJs.
- Practice the Art of DJing. Mastering the work is important, and you can get gigs according to your skills.
- Collaborate with other artists to expand your fan base.
You can also check out the video below for more detailed information.
4. Teach Music Production & DJing:
Teaching what you excel at is a blessing, and if you can make a living from it, it’s a dream come true for many music producers. Teaching music production and DJing is one of the most effective and rewarding ways to earn money organically. You can utilize various platforms, such as YouTube, Patreon, or even create courses on your website. There are numerous methods available for doing this. Many DJs and producers share their knowledge with beginners, adding significant value to the industry. You can find plenty of options for teaching both online and offline as an instructor. Companies like Ableton have certified trainers, and Pioneer, among others, focuses on music education. So, if you’re looking for a side hustle that requires zero investment, consider teaching music.
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5. Produce music for Others:
Producing music for others, often referred to as ghost producing, is a well-known side hustle among music producers. From Kshmr to Fred Again, many successful artists started by creating music for other artists. In the industry, ghost production is a discreet job that larger producers exploit to benefit from struggling producers. However, this is a myth. Producing for others not only pays well, but it can also help you build a valuable network within the industry, connecting you with other producers and labels. So if you are a hip hop, techno or even pop music producer. You can consider ghost producing. Now, what you have to do, just approach DJS, celebrity managers or even other big producers by cold mailing, DMs, or in-person meetings. Be sure to showcase your best work, as this will enhance your credibility and increase your chances of establishing a successful partnership with the DJ or artist you wish to collaborate with.
6. Sell Merchandise:
Selling merch is also one of the best ways to earn money if you are an established artist in the industry. For the fans, it is one of the best ways to remember an artist, and as an artist, you can promote yourself and make money. Artists can make money by selling their work online. They can use websites like Etsy and Depop to do this. The products you can choose such as music CDS, stickers, hats, sweaters, and other things. The best places to sell merchandise are Live shows, Concerts, websites, or producers can also collaborate with other clothing brands to drive sales. Merchandise is an underrated revenue generator that should be prioritised by any music artist trying to make it in the music industry. By the way, some artists sell music online in the form of limited edition vinyl records.
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7. Make music for Films & Television:
At last, we have music composition for films and television. It is one of the most prestigious ways to earn money as a music producer. Film scoring is the art of composing music to sync up with visuals in a film or TV show. It requires close collaboration with a director. You can approach directors and become an assistant to any well-known film composer. Over time, this side hustle has the potential to transition into a full-time career.. In the current scenario, many production studios, Gaming studios, as well as ad agencies that are looking for a skilful and dedicated music composer and sound designer. If you believe you excel at creating emotional music and orchestrations, you can check out the video below for more details. Alternatively, feel free to fill out the contact form if you would like guidance on this topic.