Step Aside, Streaming: 5 Realistic Ways to Make Money as a Musician in 2025

Thanks, Napster — You Ruined Everything

Here we are, over 25 years after the beginning of the end of the music industry the world once knew. The online file-sharing platform Napster, although short-lived, completely changed the way we consume music and paved the way for streaming services of all kinds.

Thought to be the solution to the rampant, illegal pirating of music and other media—or at the very least an attempt to save the family computer from the 12,000 viruses you downloaded via LimeWire, DatPiff, The Pirate Bay, and other illegal torrenting tools—streaming has become the status quo. Having virtually every song you could ever dream of listening to available at your fingertips is an incredible concept. The ability to pay a reasonable fee and have uninterrupted access to a customizable, algorithm-driven music platform with millions of songs, podcasts, and playlists is like a godsend in these trying times. But what is the real cost?

The Impact of Streaming Services and Streaming Royalties on Artists’ Income

Services such as Spotify, Apple Music, Amazon Music, and YouTube Music dominate the streaming industry. But artists must be making money from streaming, right? As the infamous Maury Povich used to say—“that was a lie.” Artists are making less money from their music than ever, even when considering performance royalties. The industry is broken and almost feels like it’s beyond repair. Metallica’s lawsuit against Napster doesn’t seem so greedy in hindsight. But let’s be real—some artists do, in fact, make some money from streaming. A whopping 1% of the artists featured on Spotify make over $10,000 annually. Let that sink in.

Phoebe Bridgers & Lars Ulrich on Napster, Trent Reznor Screams | Musicians on Musicians

Challenges Facing the Music Industry in 2025

People aren’t buying physical media the way they used to—and when they do, it's not enough—touring costs and general inflation have gotten out of control, and TikTok has dramatically shifted the way people create music. These are just a small handful of issues plaguing the industry and an artist’s ability to make a stable income. The traditional ways of making money as a musician have drastically changed over the years, and the music industry continues to evolve almost daily. Understanding music publishing is crucial for artists to navigate these changes and ensure they receive all the income they are entitled to.

So, What’s The alternative?

In this article, we will explore 5 realistic ways to earn money as a musician in 2025.

1. Music Licensing (Sync Licensing)

What is Sync Licensing?

Sync licensing refers to the process of licensing your music for use in visual media, such as TV shows, movies, commercials, video games, trailers, and more. Sync licensing can also generate significant publishing royalties for artists. Sync placements can open doors professionally and financially, boosting your career in ways you might not have imagined. A sync placement can dramatically impact your exposure and income. Music libraries and sync houses such as Musicbed, Jingle Punks, and Tunedge are great platforms to check out.

You can also consider using services like DISCO, Syncr, and Music Gateway, which allow artists to upload, organize their tracks and metadata, and submit directly to sync briefs. These platforms connect artists with music supervisors, helping to expand your reach in the sync licensing world.

Breaking Into Sync Licensing:

• Build professional relationships with music supervisors and sync agents.

• Research which licensing platforms are most suitable for you and your style of music.

• Ensure your music is as high-quality as possible and the metadata for each track is properly categorized.

2. Direct-to-Fan Distribution

What It Is:

Direct-to-fan distribution platforms are a great way to directly engage with your fanbase. Direct-to-fan platforms allow artists to maintain control over their own music and set their prices. As opposed to streaming services like Spotify and Apple Music, platforms like Bandcamp, Patreon, and EVEN are great alternatives for artists to sell their music to the people who care the most. With these types of platforms, you have the opportunity to set your prices and earn what your art is actually worth.

EVEN is a standout for this option. They are a very young company but have garnered much attention, onboarding over 1,000 artists and more than half a million users on the platform. EVEN has blazed a new path and shaken up the industry with their innovative business model. They’ve proved just how possible it is for artists to earn more by fostering a direct relationship with their fans. Consider EVEN an exclusive place to make your initial releases for your fans and then follow up by releasing on traditional streaming platforms later on.

Actionable Steps:

• Establish your account on Bandcamp and post your music and merchandise. Take advantage of their features to grow your fanbase.

• Create a Patreon and offer tiered subscription plans with unique perks such as behind-the-scenes footage, demos, and early access to new tracks, merchandise, and tickets to performances.

• Sign up for EVEN as an artist or label and join the waitlist. Once approved, you can start sharing your music, set your price, and get paid instantly after each sale.

3. Custom Songwriting and Jingles

Why Custom Songwriting Works

Custom songwriting and jingle creation involves creating personalized songs tailored to specific requests from musicians, labels, businesses, and more. Leveraging your musical talents in custom songwriting can open up new revenue streams. As a songwriter, you can write or contribute to the writing of songs intended to be performed and released by other artists and collect royalties.

Platforms like Songfinch are great for songwriters to fulfill client requests for custom songs based on certain occasions. They will specify the style and mood to match the type of project, and you will be paid for services once completed. Other platforms include Fiverr, Musiversal, and Upwork.

How To Break Into Custom Songwriting

• Sign up for suggested platforms and start offering your services. Promote yourself on social media or your personal website.

• Create a broad and diverse portfolio of all your best work. Leveraging tools like Kits.AI’s vast catalog of AI voices and AI instruments can dramatically increase the number of styles and creative output you can produce.

• Set clear pricing for your work, or negotiate reasonable songwriting splits if writing for or with another artist.

4. Kits.AI (Kits Earn)

What is Kits Earn?

Kits Earn allows users to create and train AI voice models directly on the Kits.AI platform, using Kits Voice Cloning. This allows you to turn your own voice into a passive income stream. The great thing about lending your unique voice to the Kits.AI catalog of AI voices is that you can track and dictate how you would allow your voice to be used by others. For instance, if you wanted to create a voice model that you only wanted to share with people you approve, you can choose not to have your voice available publicly. You may also keep yourself and your voice model anonymous to other users after verifying your submitted voice.

Every time another user includes your voice clone in their creative process, you will be paid. Kits.AI believes in fair artist compensation and empowering creators. Keep in mind, your unique voice is entirely yours. To maintain the authenticity of each voice, Kits.AI only allows the submission of one voice model per person.

Actionable Steps:

• Create and train a custom AI voice model directly on the Kits.AI platform. Be sure to use a very high-quality microphone, as this will allow the voice cloning software to be more accurate and realistic-sounding.

• Submit your voice for verification by connecting or creating a Stripe account.

• Get paid for the use of your voice and track how it is being used.

5. Crowdfunding Platforms

Exploring Crowdfunding Platforms

Crowdfunding platforms like Indiegogo, Kickstarter, and GoFundMe allow musicians to raise funds for specific projects. Crowdfunding can also be combined with merch sales to boost income and engage with fans. Sure, you work a full-time job and maybe you’re a student on top of that. Much of the time, allocating your limited funds to a project you’re working on just doesn’t cut it. With crowdfunding platforms, you can publicly set clear goals, and your audience has the opportunity to directly support your work.

The journey of using crowdfunding platforms to finance an album, create merchandise, and even support you on tour can be part of a marketing campaign in itself. Creating promotional pieces such as posters, videos, and jingles for your social media allows the opportunity to draw attention to you as an artist, as well as the campaign you are fundraising for.

Actionable Steps:

• Choose your desired platform and create a transparent and compelling project with clear goals.

• Create engaging visual content to promote the project.

• Promote on social media, email newsletters, within your local DIY scene, or other creative ways to ensure maximum visibility.

Building a Sustainable Music Career

Building a sustainable music career requires a combination of creative talent, business acumen, and perseverance. Independent musicians can achieve success by focusing on their unique strengths and finding innovative ways to connect with their audience. Diversifying income streams is crucial—relying solely on streaming royalties just doesn't cut it anymore.

A strong online presence is key. Connections are currency. Engage with your fanbase regularly and keep them excited with high-quality music. Collaborating with other musicians, producers, and industry professionals can keep your creative juices flowing and expand your network. Staying up-to-date with industry trends and best practices is essential to stay competitive in the music industry.

Adaptability is key. Be prepared to pivot and embrace new opportunities and challenges as they come. Building a sustainable music career takes time, effort, and dedication, but with persistence and hard work, independent musicians can achieve success.

Live Shows and Touring: The Importance of In-Person Connection

Live shows and touring are essential components of a musician’s career, providing opportunities to connect with fans and generate income. Independent musicians can book gigs at local venues, festivals, and events to build their fanbase and gain exposure. Touring can be a lucrative revenue stream, with artists earning money from ticket sales, merchandise, and sponsorships.

To make the most of live shows, prioritize building a strong performance. Use social media and online marketing to promote your live shows and tours, reaching a wider audience and increasing ticket sales.

Collaborating with other musicians and industry professionals can help you access new markets and opportunities. Live shows and touring also provide opportunities to network and build relationships with industry professionals, such as promoters, booking agents, and managers.

With careful planning and execution, live shows and touring can be a significant source of income and exposure for independent musicians.

Stepping Into Live Shows and Touring

• Book gigs at local venues, festivals, and events to build your fanbase and gain exposure.

• Use social media and online marketing to promote your live shows and tours.

• Collaborate with other musicians and industry professionals to access new markets and opportunities.

• Network with industry professionals, such as promoters, booking agents, and managers.

• Plan and budget for the logistical and financial challenges of touring.

Conclusion: Embrace the Alternatives

The music industry has and will continue to change regularly and dramatically. While streaming has become the norm, it has become blatantly obvious that it is not enough, nor is it fair to independent musicians or even established artists. Fortunately, there are other opportunities for artists to thrive while doing what they love. The main takeaway from this should be to stay adaptable and innovative. Couple your creative talents with a strong entrepreneurial spirit so you can succeed while trying to navigate the ever-evolving landscape of the music industry. You got this.