The music industry in the United States generates around $16 billion in revenue each year. While the majority of this money comes from album sales and digital downloads, there are a number of niche areas in music that you can make a good living in.
Not everyone is destined to be the next Beyoncé or Justin Bieber and that isn’t necessarily a bad thing. There are so many different ways you can use your music recording skills to generate a consistent stream of income. In order to have success in this line of work, you will need quality equipment and the right mindset.
If you are new to the world of recording, getting help choosing a voice recorder is a good idea. An experienced recording professional can offer you guidance so you can avoid making mistakes during this important buying process.
Are you looking for ways to make money with your recording skills? If so, check out the following suggestions.
The Art of Producing Library Music
The music you hear on television shows, commercials and even some films is usually provided by a library music company. These pieces of music are chosen from a compilation of pieces. Generally, these pieces of music are not written for a specific film or television show. Some people scoff at the idea of library music and write it off as boring or bland, but this is rarely the case.
The standard of both the music and production values are very high in this industry. This means you will need to invest some money into updating your equipment. The last thing you want to do is get rejected by various music libraries for low-quality recordings. The more you record for these companies, the easier you will find it to get your submissions accepted on a consistent basis.
Writing Music for Picture/Audio
One of the best ways to add more depth and appeal to a film is by having a great score. While most newcomers to the world of composing have illusions of scoring a Hollywood blockbuster, it will take some time to reach these heights. When first starting out as a music composer for films, you may have to work on a few student pictures or indie films to build your street cred up.
These jobs may not pay that great, but it will provide you with an opportunity to show off your talent. It only takes one big movie producer to hear your work to catapult you into the stratosphere of composing. Producing a demo reel of all of the musical compositions you have recorded is a good idea. With this composition, you can give a filmmaker an idea of what you do and how well you know your craft.
Write Some Radio Jingles
The mark of a good radio jingle is a hook that is so catchy you can’t seem to get it out of your head. Do you have a knack for writing catchy songs? A career in the world of radio jingles may be a great option for you. Writing jingles for large companies can be both a lot of fun and extremely lucrative.
When writing these jingles, you will be able to compose in a variety of different styles. Some companies will want a high-energy pop sound to their jingle, while others may want a smooth and relaxing jazz composition. There is no denying that a career as a jingle writer will definitely keep you on your toes.
Getting a job in a radio station’s production department is a great way to find jingle-writing jobs. There are also a variety of freelance websites you can apply to these types of jobs on.
Finding Local Bands to Produce
If you love all things music, then finding a few local bands to produce is a good idea. While you probably won’t make a ton of money starting out, you need to view this as a long-term investment strategy. You never know when one of the bands you produce will have a big hit and take you along for the ride.
Producing these bands will require you to have a larger studio space. If all you have is your garage, then investing some money into soundproofing is essential. With a few soundproofing panels, you can substantially improve the acoustics in your garage. There are an endless array of resources online about building home studios. Studying these resources can help you avoid making crucial mistakes during the garage studio upgrading process.
Taking on Some Corporate Work
When a company is in the process of launching a new product, they will often want original music to accompany their presentations. Generally, the music you produce for these corporations will be instrumental since a representative from the company will be talking during the presentation. Word of mouth can help you land more of these corporate jobs in the future.
This is why you need to put a lot of time and effort into composing these pieces of music. One bad review from a past client can derail your pursuit of corporate music gigs.
Sound Engineering For Churches
Most churches have large praise and worship bands that play at nearly every service. Even if you don’t play in one of these bands, you can offer your services to get their mix right. If you can use a soundboard, then you should have no problem providing a church with these types of services.
The experience behind the board is well worth the time you spend in church. Usually, you will not make a lot of money, but you can use the things you learn to pursue other musical ventures in the future.
Investing in the state-of-the-art musical equipment may be expensive, but it is definitely worth the money. If you try to skimp on the quality of your equipment to save money, it can lead to your recordings sound lackluster. With a bit of research, you should have no problem finding the best equipment to fit your needs.
