{"id":4026,"date":"2020-01-30T13:15:09","date_gmt":"2020-01-30T13:15:09","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.lastminutemusicians.com\/how_to_get_gigs\/?p=4026"},"modified":"2026-03-05T12:40:12","modified_gmt":"2026-03-05T12:40:12","slug":"ten-ways-to-supplement-your-income-as-a-musician","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.lastminutemusicians.com\/how_to_get_gigs\/ten-ways-to-supplement-your-income-as-a-musician\/","title":{"rendered":"10 Ways to Supplement Your Income as a Musician"},"content":{"rendered":"\n<p><em>Last updated: March 2026<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>It is almost beyond stating the obvious to say that making your living as a musician is hard. However, it is still far from impossible. <\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>In this blog, we\u2019ll detail a few extra ways to supplement your income as a musician, whether you are looking to make the jump to full-time, or just to bring in some extra cash, to make for a more comfortable living situation.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>For many people (usually on other career paths) being a full time musician is sometimes almost incomprehensible, and can invite questions like \u201cokay, but really, how do you <em>really <\/em>make money?\u201d or \u201cso you\u2019re trying to be a rockstar?\u201d <\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>However, there are many full-time music roles that provide enough of an income to make a living from. This can include playing in a popular function band, teaching music in a school or working for a large record company. <\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>That said, you will probably stand more chance of solely making your living from music if you have a portfolio career, that comprises of multiple roles. Below, we\u2019ll give a general overview of ten possible ways to help supplement your income, using the skills that you have as a musician\u2026<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">1) <strong>Depping<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>If you depend on regularly performing live for your income, you\u2019ll realise how important it is for all the members of your band to maximise their availability, especially at weekends. After all, if one member of the group is unavailable, then the entire band cannot perform\u2026 Or can they?<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Many function bands have a roster of local \u201cdeps\u201d (the term probably meaning \u201cdeputy\u201d or to deputise the role) that can fill in for a member of the band at a moment\u2019s notice, in case of illness or emergency. Generally, they will play in other bands that have a similar repertoire or just regularly go out as a musical gun-for-hire, similar to <a href=\"https:\/\/www.lastminutemusicians.com\/how_to_get_gigs\/work-as-a-session-musician\/\">working as a session musician<\/a>. <\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>If you play in a function band, chances are most popular material of the moment won\u2019t be new to you, and so making a bit of extra money as a dep won\u2019t be too difficult. Try joining online musical communities like <a href=\"https:\/\/www.facebook.com\/groups\/ukmusiciansforgigs\/\" rel=\"nofollow\">UK Musicians for gigs<\/a> or <a href=\"https:\/\/www.facebook.com\/groups\/depsuk\/\" rel=\"nofollow\">Dep Musicians in UK<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><img decoding=\"async\" width=\"1024\" height=\"682\" src=\"https:\/\/www.lastminutemusicians.com\/how_to_get_gigs\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/01\/drummer-1208190_1280-1-1024x682.jpg\" alt=\"drummer\" class=\"wp-image-4034\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.lastminutemusicians.com\/how_to_get_gigs\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/01\/drummer-1208190_1280-1-1024x682.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/www.lastminutemusicians.com\/how_to_get_gigs\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/01\/drummer-1208190_1280-1-300x200.jpg 300w, https:\/\/www.lastminutemusicians.com\/how_to_get_gigs\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/01\/drummer-1208190_1280-1-370x247.jpg 370w, https:\/\/www.lastminutemusicians.com\/how_to_get_gigs\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/01\/drummer-1208190_1280-1-270x180.jpg 270w, https:\/\/www.lastminutemusicians.com\/how_to_get_gigs\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/01\/drummer-1208190_1280-1-570x380.jpg 570w, https:\/\/www.lastminutemusicians.com\/how_to_get_gigs\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/01\/drummer-1208190_1280-1-740x493.jpg 740w, https:\/\/www.lastminutemusicians.com\/how_to_get_gigs\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/01\/drummer-1208190_1280-1.jpg 1280w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\" \/><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"box blue-border\"><strong>Requirements:<\/strong> Professional equipment, vast repertoire, weekend availability.<\/div>\n<div class=\"box green-border\"><strong>Pros:<\/strong> Good money, relatively easy work to pick up.<\/div>\n<div class=\"box red-border\"><strong>Cons<\/strong>: Long hours, weekend work, probably not be able to rehearse beforehand.<\/div>\n\n\n\n<hr class=\"wp-block-separator has-text-color has-background has-gridlove-meta-background-color has-gridlove-meta-color is-style-wide\"\/>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">2) <strong>Private teaching<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>One of the most common side gigs that a musician is likely to have is teaching their instrument in private lessons. This can take many forms; some musicians like to teach from home and organise their own schedule, as well as promoting themselves locally to source students. Others will find work through an organised structure like a local music school or service. <\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Once you decide to start teaching, promoting yourself through social media (and even through word of mouth) can be a great place to start sourcing students. You can also learn more by visiting the <a href=\"https:\/\/www.facebook.com\/groups\/ukmusicteachers\/\" rel=\"nofollow\">UK Music Teachers<\/a> group or reading our <a href=\"https:\/\/www.lastminutemusicians.com\/blog\/complete-guide-music-teachers\/\">complete guide for music teachers<\/a>. <\/p>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"box blue-border\"><strong>Requirements:<\/strong> DBS criminal background check, a reasonable understanding of <a href=\"https:\/\/www.lastminutemusicians.com\/how_to_get_gigs\/music-theory-how-much-do-you-need-to-know\/\">music theory<\/a>, a suitable teaching space.<\/div>\n<div class=\"box green-border\"><strong>Pros:<\/strong> Potentially work from home, good money available.<\/div>\n<div class=\"box red-border\"><strong>Cons<\/strong>: Can be slow to build up a list of regular students.<\/div>\n\n\n\n<hr class=\"wp-block-separator has-text-color has-background has-gridlove-meta-background-color has-gridlove-meta-color is-style-wide\"\/>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">3) <strong>Peripatetic teaching<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>If you have slightly more time to commit to your next role, then peripatetic teaching might be for you. The difference between this and private teaching is that your hours will not be scheduled yourself, but you could potentially earn more money, with more job security. You&#8217;ll also not have the responsibility of sourcing students yourself. Usually, you\u2019ll be employed by the local council, as a teacher that goes into various schools to deliver instrument or vocal lessons. Regularly check your local council\u2019s website for more information.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><img decoding=\"async\" width=\"1024\" height=\"683\" src=\"https:\/\/www.lastminutemusicians.com\/how_to_get_gigs\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/02\/Piano-teaching.jpg\" alt=\"Piano teaching\" class=\"wp-image-3245\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.lastminutemusicians.com\/how_to_get_gigs\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/02\/Piano-teaching.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/www.lastminutemusicians.com\/how_to_get_gigs\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/02\/Piano-teaching-300x200.jpg 300w, https:\/\/www.lastminutemusicians.com\/how_to_get_gigs\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/02\/Piano-teaching-370x247.jpg 370w, https:\/\/www.lastminutemusicians.com\/how_to_get_gigs\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/02\/Piano-teaching-270x180.jpg 270w, https:\/\/www.lastminutemusicians.com\/how_to_get_gigs\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/02\/Piano-teaching-570x380.jpg 570w, https:\/\/www.lastminutemusicians.com\/how_to_get_gigs\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/02\/Piano-teaching-740x494.jpg 740w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\" \/><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"box blue-border\"><strong>Requirements:<\/strong> DBS criminal background check, ability to travel from school to school, potentially lots of patience!<\/div>\n<div class=\"box green-border\"><strong>Pros:<\/strong> Regular work with stability.<\/div>\n<div class=\"box red-border\"><strong>Cons<\/strong>: Not scheduled yourself.<\/div>\n\n\n\n<hr class=\"wp-block-separator has-text-color has-background has-gridlove-meta-background-color has-gridlove-meta-color is-style-wide\"\/>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">4) <strong>Guest lecturing<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>Arguably quite a difficult role to get into, if you have considerable experience in the music industry, it might be possible for you to get a job guest lecturing at a university. These positions are usually well paid, either being salaried or on a pretty reasonable hourly rate. The subjects you might have to cover will vary, so it\u2019s important that you have extensive knowledge of your instrument, a comprehensive knowledge of music theory, and the music industry on the whole. Look up your local university&#8217;s music department and regularly check for vacancies. <\/p>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"box blue-border\"><strong>Requirements:<\/strong> Formal academic qualification in music, DBS background, extensive subject knowledge.<\/div>\n<div class=\"box green-border\"><strong>Pros:<\/strong> Well-paid, interesting work. Stable.<\/div>\n<div class=\"box red-border\"><strong>Cons<\/strong>: Stressful, lots of work outside of university hours.<\/div>\n\n\n\n<hr class=\"wp-block-separator has-text-color has-background has-gridlove-meta-background-color has-gridlove-meta-color is-style-wide\"\/>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">5) <strong>Diversify your existing act<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>If you\u2019re already in a successful band, then one way you can maximise your income is by diversifying what you offer to clients. For example, if you\u2019re an established <a href=\"https:\/\/www.lastminutemusicians.com\/search\/wedding_bands.html\">wedding band<\/a>, then an additional package offering an acoustic act for the daytime, or perhaps even a late-night DJ playlist, can help maximise the earning potential from bookings. Similarly (if your group is okay with it) you might also offer alternate line ups, to go after other gigs.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Look up similar acts to yours, and see what they are offering. If you work with any agencies, then they can offer advice on latest popular trends. You can also find tips on <a href=\"https:\/\/www.lastminutemusicians.com\/how_to_get_gigs\/getting-well-paid-gigs\/\">getting well-paid gigs<\/a> on the <a href=\"https:\/\/www.lastminutemusicians.com\/blog\">Last Minute Musicians Blog<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><img decoding=\"async\" width=\"1024\" height=\"682\" src=\"https:\/\/www.lastminutemusicians.com\/how_to_get_gigs\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/01\/band-2869656_1280-1024x682.jpg\" alt=\"acoustic band\" class=\"wp-image-4047\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.lastminutemusicians.com\/how_to_get_gigs\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/01\/band-2869656_1280-1024x682.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/www.lastminutemusicians.com\/how_to_get_gigs\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/01\/band-2869656_1280-300x200.jpg 300w, https:\/\/www.lastminutemusicians.com\/how_to_get_gigs\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/01\/band-2869656_1280-370x247.jpg 370w, https:\/\/www.lastminutemusicians.com\/how_to_get_gigs\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/01\/band-2869656_1280-270x180.jpg 270w, https:\/\/www.lastminutemusicians.com\/how_to_get_gigs\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/01\/band-2869656_1280-570x380.jpg 570w, https:\/\/www.lastminutemusicians.com\/how_to_get_gigs\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/01\/band-2869656_1280-740x493.jpg 740w, https:\/\/www.lastminutemusicians.com\/how_to_get_gigs\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/01\/band-2869656_1280.jpg 1280w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\" \/><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"box blue-border\"><strong>Requirements:<\/strong> An established band.<\/div>\n<div class=\"box green-border\"><strong>Pros:<\/strong> Capitalises on existing or future bookings.<\/div>\n<div class=\"box red-border\"><strong>Cons<\/strong>: May require some investment in the form of new gear or rehearsals.<\/div>\n\n\n\n<hr class=\"wp-block-separator has-text-color has-background has-gridlove-meta-background-color has-gridlove-meta-color is-style-wide\"\/>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">6) <strong>Instrument repairs<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>If you\u2019re particularly passionate about your chosen instrument, you may have picked up the skills and knowledge over the course of your musical career to be able to repair and maintain them properly. If desired, this can be translated into an excellent side business, repairing and maintaining the gear of your colleagues! Try speaking to your local music store, and seeing they have any luthier work available, or just market yourself privately to colleagues you know, and on social media.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><img decoding=\"async\" width=\"1024\" height=\"681\" src=\"https:\/\/www.lastminutemusicians.com\/how_to_get_gigs\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/01\/guitar-1995031_1280-1024x681.jpg\" alt=\"guitar repair\" class=\"wp-image-4035\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.lastminutemusicians.com\/how_to_get_gigs\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/01\/guitar-1995031_1280-1024x681.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/www.lastminutemusicians.com\/how_to_get_gigs\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/01\/guitar-1995031_1280-300x199.jpg 300w, https:\/\/www.lastminutemusicians.com\/how_to_get_gigs\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/01\/guitar-1995031_1280-370x246.jpg 370w, https:\/\/www.lastminutemusicians.com\/how_to_get_gigs\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/01\/guitar-1995031_1280-270x180.jpg 270w, https:\/\/www.lastminutemusicians.com\/how_to_get_gigs\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/01\/guitar-1995031_1280-570x379.jpg 570w, https:\/\/www.lastminutemusicians.com\/how_to_get_gigs\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/01\/guitar-1995031_1280-740x492.jpg 740w, https:\/\/www.lastminutemusicians.com\/how_to_get_gigs\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/01\/guitar-1995031_1280.jpg 1280w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\" \/><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"box blue-border\"><strong>Requirements:<\/strong> A well-equipped workspace, enough experience to solve most instrument related issues.<\/div>\n<div class=\"box green-border\"><strong>Pros:<\/strong> Relatively flexible working, potentially working from home.<\/div>\n<div class=\"box red-border\"><strong>Cons<\/strong>: Set up cost, hard to promote.<\/div>\n\n\n\n<hr class=\"wp-block-separator has-text-color has-background has-gridlove-meta-background-color has-gridlove-meta-color is-style-wide\"\/>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">7) <strong>Producing or engineering<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>The job title \u201cproducer\u201d is something of an ambiguous one, and can mean different things, depending on the context. In the music industry, when we refer to a producer, we usually mean someone who offers creative input and advice on the creative aspects of a recording. This can be everything from deciding on the microphones used to record a specific instrument, to changing certain parts or melodies in the arrangement. &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>To become a producer, you will need to have a proven portfolio of work and a great studio space to work from, whether your own or hired. Start working with local bands, and learn as much as you can by speaking to other producers and perhaps even trying to get experience assisting at sessions in local studios. <\/p>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"box blue-border\"><strong>Requirements:<\/strong> A good knowledge of recording software, techniques and musicality.<\/div>\n<div class=\"box green-border\"><strong>Pros:<\/strong> Creative work, with the potential for latent earnings from royalties.<\/div>\n<div class=\"box red-border\"><strong>Cons<\/strong>: Can be time consuming, may require additional training. Hard to break into.<\/div>\n\n\n\n<hr class=\"wp-block-separator has-text-color has-background has-gridlove-meta-background-color has-gridlove-meta-color is-style-wide\"\/>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">8) <strong>Promoting events<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>Chances are, if you are already heavily involved with your local music scene, you will have come across numerous other acts that you\u2019ve really liked and enjoy the music of, be they tribute bands, cover bands or bands playing original music. If this is the case, you can utilise this knowledge to put on events in a local venue, and make money from ticket sales for both the venue, act and yourself. <\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Speak to local music venues about how you would go about putting on a night there, and what kind of shows generally do well. <\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><img decoding=\"async\" width=\"1024\" height=\"682\" src=\"https:\/\/www.lastminutemusicians.com\/how_to_get_gigs\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/01\/concert-768722_1280-1-1024x682.jpg\" alt=\"concert\" class=\"wp-image-4041\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.lastminutemusicians.com\/how_to_get_gigs\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/01\/concert-768722_1280-1-1024x682.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/www.lastminutemusicians.com\/how_to_get_gigs\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/01\/concert-768722_1280-1-300x200.jpg 300w, https:\/\/www.lastminutemusicians.com\/how_to_get_gigs\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/01\/concert-768722_1280-1-370x247.jpg 370w, https:\/\/www.lastminutemusicians.com\/how_to_get_gigs\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/01\/concert-768722_1280-1-270x180.jpg 270w, https:\/\/www.lastminutemusicians.com\/how_to_get_gigs\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/01\/concert-768722_1280-1-570x380.jpg 570w, https:\/\/www.lastminutemusicians.com\/how_to_get_gigs\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/01\/concert-768722_1280-1-740x493.jpg 740w, https:\/\/www.lastminutemusicians.com\/how_to_get_gigs\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/01\/concert-768722_1280-1.jpg 1280w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\" \/><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"box blue-border\"><strong>Requirements:<\/strong> Excellent knowledge of the local live music scene, a good relationship with local venues.<\/div>\n<div class=\"box green-border\"><strong>Pros:<\/strong> Can be terrific fun, and lead to opportunities for all involved.<\/div>\n<div class=\"box red-border\"><strong>Cons<\/strong>: Long hours, potential for losses, stressful.<\/div>\n\n\n\n<hr class=\"wp-block-separator has-text-color has-background has-gridlove-meta-background-color has-gridlove-meta-color is-style-wide\"\/>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">9) <strong>Live sound, lighting and other crew roles<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>Whether you received your training from an academic course, or simply built up a great technical knowledge by doing sound for your own band on the road, many venues, bands and companies are in search of experienced live sound engineers, lighting engineers and other crew. Try looking at the jobs section of your local theatres or music venues, or looking into jobs with events companies. If you have your own equipment, you could even offer your services to local bands (making sure your equipment has been safety checked, and you are fully insured).<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>However, it&#8217;s important to keep in mind that if you work for an events company, then you might not always end up working at music-specific shows. Sometimes you might end up crewing corporate events or something similar.&nbsp; <\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><img decoding=\"async\" width=\"1024\" height=\"682\" src=\"https:\/\/www.lastminutemusicians.com\/how_to_get_gigs\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/01\/pa-4009504_1280-1024x682.jpg\" alt=\"mixing desk\" class=\"wp-image-4038\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.lastminutemusicians.com\/how_to_get_gigs\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/01\/pa-4009504_1280-1024x682.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/www.lastminutemusicians.com\/how_to_get_gigs\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/01\/pa-4009504_1280-300x200.jpg 300w, https:\/\/www.lastminutemusicians.com\/how_to_get_gigs\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/01\/pa-4009504_1280-370x247.jpg 370w, https:\/\/www.lastminutemusicians.com\/how_to_get_gigs\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/01\/pa-4009504_1280-270x180.jpg 270w, https:\/\/www.lastminutemusicians.com\/how_to_get_gigs\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/01\/pa-4009504_1280-570x380.jpg 570w, https:\/\/www.lastminutemusicians.com\/how_to_get_gigs\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/01\/pa-4009504_1280-740x493.jpg 740w, https:\/\/www.lastminutemusicians.com\/how_to_get_gigs\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/01\/pa-4009504_1280.jpg 1280w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\" \/><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"box blue-border\"><strong>Requirements:<\/strong> Great technical knowledge, with the ability to set up, sound check and mix a live band.<\/div>\n<div class=\"box green-border\"><strong>Pros:<\/strong> Good money, regular work.<\/div>\n<div class=\"box red-border\"><strong>Cons<\/strong>: Can sometimes be working outside of the music industry, long days, sometimes poor and stressful conditions.<\/div>\n\n\n\n<hr class=\"wp-block-separator has-text-color has-background has-gridlove-meta-background-color has-gridlove-meta-color is-style-wide\"\/>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">10) <strong>Freelance admin work<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>If you enjoy, or have developed an aptitude for, the administration side of, say, booking shows, then you may be interested in some freelance work for for some kind of music development service, record label or studio. <\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>While it might not be the most exciting job role you&#8217;ll ever have, if your IT skills are up to scratch, there are sometimes positions available. For example, if your graphic design skills are good, then you may well be asked by local venues to help design posters. Perhaps you might be contracted to spend a couple of hours working on copy for a PR agency or distribution company. Keeping an eye on freelance work jobs sites can help you pick up some extra income in roles like this.   <\/p>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"box blue-border\"><strong>Requirements:<\/strong> Excellent IT skills, good relationship with local bands, a source of regular enquiries.<\/div>\n<div class=\"box green-border\"><strong>Pros:<\/strong> Work from home, you don&#8217;t have to worry about the stress of performing.<\/div>\n<div class=\"box red-border\"><strong>Cons<\/strong>: Relatively lacking in excitement, spend a lot of time staring at a screen.<\/div>\n\n\n\n<hr class=\"wp-block-separator has-text-color has-background has-gridlove-meta-background-color has-gridlove-meta-color is-style-wide\"\/>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Bonus: Online and digital income streams<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>In addition to the ten ideas above, the digital landscape has opened up a range of new opportunities for musicians to earn extra income online. Licensing your music for sync placements in TV, film, adverts and video games can generate both upfront fees and ongoing royalties. Creating and selling sample packs, loops or preset libraries is another option if you have production skills. You could also offer remote session work to artists around the world from your home studio, or explore <a href=\"https:\/\/www.lastminutemusicians.com\/how_to_get_gigs\/how-to-be-a-professional-songwriter\/\">becoming a professional songwriter<\/a> and pitching tracks to publishers and sync libraries.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>Requirements:<\/strong> A home recording setup, knowledge of digital distribution and licensing platforms.<br><strong>Pros:<\/strong> Flexible, location-independent work with the potential for passive income.<br><strong>Cons:<\/strong> Can take time to build momentum, competitive market.<\/p>\n\n\nDo you have an additional source of income as a musician? How do you maximise your earning potential? Leave your suggestions in the comments below\u2026<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n<div class=\"kk-star-ratings kksr-auto kksr-align-center kksr-valign-bottom\"\n    data-payload='{&quot;align&quot;:&quot;center&quot;,&quot;id&quot;:&quot;4026&quot;,&quot;slug&quot;:&quot;default&quot;,&quot;valign&quot;:&quot;bottom&quot;,&quot;ignore&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;reference&quot;:&quot;auto&quot;,&quot;class&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;count&quot;:&quot;3&quot;,&quot;legendonly&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;readonly&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;score&quot;:&quot;5&quot;,&quot;starsonly&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;best&quot;:&quot;5&quot;,&quot;gap&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;greet&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;legend&quot;:&quot;5\\\/5 - (3 votes)&quot;,&quot;size&quot;:&quot;20&quot;,&quot;title&quot;:&quot;10 Ways to Supplement Your Income as a Musician&quot;,&quot;width&quot;:&quot;100&quot;,&quot;_legend&quot;:&quot;{score}\\\/{best} - ({count} {votes})&quot;,&quot;font_factor&quot;:&quot;1.25&quot;}'>\n            \n<div class=\"kksr-stars\">\n    \n<div class=\"kksr-stars-inactive\">\n            <div class=\"kksr-star\" data-star=\"1\" style=\"padding-right: 0px\">\n            \n\n<div class=\"kksr-icon\" style=\"width: 20px; height: 20px;\"><\/div>\n        <\/div>\n            <div class=\"kksr-star\" data-star=\"2\" style=\"padding-right: 0px\">\n            \n\n<div class=\"kksr-icon\" style=\"width: 20px; height: 20px;\"><\/div>\n        <\/div>\n            <div class=\"kksr-star\" data-star=\"3\" style=\"padding-right: 0px\">\n            \n\n<div class=\"kksr-icon\" style=\"width: 20px; height: 20px;\"><\/div>\n        <\/div>\n            <div class=\"kksr-star\" data-star=\"4\" style=\"padding-right: 0px\">\n            \n\n<div class=\"kksr-icon\" style=\"width: 20px; height: 20px;\"><\/div>\n        <\/div>\n            <div class=\"kksr-star\" data-star=\"5\" style=\"padding-right: 0px\">\n            \n\n<div class=\"kksr-icon\" style=\"width: 20px; height: 20px;\"><\/div>\n        <\/div>\n    <\/div>\n    \n<div class=\"kksr-stars-active\" style=\"width: 100px;\">\n            <div class=\"kksr-star\" style=\"padding-right: 0px\">\n            \n\n<div class=\"kksr-icon\" style=\"width: 20px; height: 20px;\"><\/div>\n        <\/div>\n            <div class=\"kksr-star\" style=\"padding-right: 0px\">\n            \n\n<div class=\"kksr-icon\" style=\"width: 20px; height: 20px;\"><\/div>\n        <\/div>\n            <div class=\"kksr-star\" style=\"padding-right: 0px\">\n            \n\n<div class=\"kksr-icon\" style=\"width: 20px; height: 20px;\"><\/div>\n        <\/div>\n            <div class=\"kksr-star\" style=\"padding-right: 0px\">\n            \n\n<div class=\"kksr-icon\" style=\"width: 20px; height: 20px;\"><\/div>\n        <\/div>\n            <div class=\"kksr-star\" style=\"padding-right: 0px\">\n            \n\n<div class=\"kksr-icon\" style=\"width: 20px; height: 20px;\"><\/div>\n        <\/div>\n    <\/div>\n<\/div>\n                \n\n<div class=\"kksr-legend\" style=\"font-size: 16px;\">\n            5\/5 - (3 votes)    <\/div>\n    <\/div>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Last updated: March 2026 It is almost beyond stating the obvious to say that making your living as a musician is hard. However, it is still far from impossible. In this blog, we\u2019ll detail a few extra ways to supplement your income as a musician, whether you are looking to make the jump to full-time, [&hellip;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":312,"featured_media":4493,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[171],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-4026","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-advice-for-musicians"],"yoast_head":"<!-- This site is optimized with the Yoast SEO plugin v27.5 - https:\/\/yoast.com\/product\/yoast-seo-wordpress\/ -->\n<title>10 Ways to Supplement Your Income as a Musician<\/title>\n<meta name=\"description\" content=\"Looking for side jobs for musicians? 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