STOP clout chasing! 3 ways to make money in music without followers

It’s hard to make it in the music industry in this era without clout. Mainly because, well, it’s so easy to be an artist. The tools required for breaking int the industry lie at the fingertips of those who know what they are doing. And believe they’re a lot of people who know what they are doing. It’s the gift of a generation who grew up with Youtube, Vine, Facebook, and IG. The kids know how to make it work for them and are not afraid to put themselves out there.

This combination of factors has resulted into an oversaturation of music, There are so many acts on SoundCloud and Youtube now that the world can barely keep up. Not to mention the ‘clout chasers” who switch over to music once they have enough eyes on them from their outrageous stunts.

10,000 followers doesn’t have the same ring it once did a couple short years ago. Standing out is the most daunting tasks facing artists today, and will only get harder as technology continues to advance. So while you’re trying to find your roadmap to clout – stardom, here are a few ways you can earn that bag while you figure it out.

Get your music placed

We all can’t go 9 for 9 on the billboard, but that doesn’t mean your songs are worthless. TV shows, movies, and video games hire individuals called Music Supervisors. These music supervisors are tasked with putting together music that fits the vibe of the project they are working on. Unless these supervisors are working for huge productions they often work with a modest budget.

You don’t need a huge follower count to pitch a song to a music supervisor. That’s because it really doesn’t do them any good if you have a large following or not. (It might be better if you don’t!)

Look for shows that lean toward your genre. The Chilling Adventures of Sabrina and Power would clearly be searching for two different styles of music, as would GTA and Red Dead Redemption. Find the supervisors for your selected projects and send an email. If they like you and your music fits there is a good chance you just earned yourself some additional income.

Ghostwriting

Acts like SZA and Drake have contributed and made money from selling their songs or lending their time to other artists. Though not a music artist I myself have found success through this method as a writer.

Being able to pin a good song is harder than people think. Hone your writing ability and sell your compositions to labels who will give them to their biggest stars. It’s money in the bank, connections for your personal (not social) networks which will give you real-life value. You might find yourself working full time for a big-time label giving you a chance to learn from the greats and utilize the knowledge for our own career.

Host your own events

No clout? Borrow some! This option takes some investing and planning but will pay off big if done properly. Host an event in your city. A music concert, party, comedy show, anything that you can sell tickets for. Invite local performers to the event who do have clout and make money from the ticket sales. You can even include yourself as a performer to get your music out there while making some money.

In this new and evolving music industry creativity is mandatory. Money and popularity do not necessarily coincide. There are tons to be made with your talents without ever getting a song on the radio. Be patient, focused, and open for opportunity. Find ways to create money as the real hustlers do versus going the old tired routes. Clout isn’t everything, even in the digital age.

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