7 Ways to Make More Money As A Musician

There’s nothing like the thrill musicians get performing in front of a live audience. Nailing a performance - the applause - the adrenaline - it's a natural high. But, it's also a balancing act. For every round of applause on-stage, there is a constant hunt off-stage to make more money as a musician.

In fact, about 70% of indie artists pull in less than $10,000 per year from their music.

That stat doesn't sit well - partly because I've been prey to that statistic, but mostly because I feel for other musicians currently struggling to make ends meet. The music business can be financially grueling - especially for a beginner.

Regardless of where you're at in your music career, you'll take something away from this article. I've compiled seven easy-to-follow ways to increase your tips at every show.

I hope these tips bump up your tip jar. It's built for any sort of live music - on a stage in a loud bar or mobile via streaming services. Wherever you perform live, these tips will be useful.

Here's the gist:

In this article, you'll find seven practical ways to make extra money during your shows - starting with a profound shift in your mindset on monetizing your music career. Some of the methods you can implement today, others you'll have to work at. But in the end, all of them will build better connections with your fans while also helping you earn money without taking up a second gig.

1. Keep it Simple

You might find yourself going down the digital rabbit hole of trying to find new tactics to increase your income; giving online music lessons, establishing a YouTube channel to live stream, or my favorite... looking up terms like "mechanical royalties," "diversifying revenue streams in music," or "music grants" just because Google suggested them to you.

All of those are certainly ways to earn money as a musician - but often require channeling your energy into areas that you have zero experience, could require a ton of effort to pull off correctly, and don't harness your strengths.

What if I told you to keep it simple and keep playing live music? I know, it sounds like an infomercial, but there's a strong chance you could be leaving money on the table for work you are already doing.

In my experience, I found that keeping it simple and focusing on improving my current show to be the easiest way to earn more money - taking the form of increased tips.

Simple adjustments to my live shows significantly increased the quantity and value of the tips I received. It helped me quickly and easily squeeze all the monetary value out of what I was already doing.

While "keep it simple" may seem too obvious, the big picture is about shifting your mindset. To get extra money, you don't have to start by finding multiple streams of income - the first step should be about making sure you have done everything possible with your current efforts. 

For many musicians, keeping it simple should be about focusing on increasing the tips you get during performances - and the lynchpin for this is song requests.

2. Build Your Catalog and Field Requests

This is key to making money at music gigs. There are quite a few reasons why this works so well, but it all comes down to the idea that your musical performances shouldn’t be all about you – they should be about your audience.

You’re there on the stage as an entertainer, so it’s important to make sure your audience members are thoroughly entertained. Performing song requests gives them exactly what they want – the songs they love the most.

If you haven't already, make sure you catalog your music. It can be time-consuming, but it's a must. Whether it's your own music or covers that everyone knows and loves - put it down in one place that your audience can easily access.

Build it for your audience, not for you

People are drawn to what they feel familiar with. Even if you want to play your own music, like the 10-minute love song you wrote the other day, the audience might not want to hear it. Let them tell you what they do want to hear.

There's a real art to this, and you can certainly build strategies around what to include or omit. If you're like me, you walk around and hear songs constantly that you know how to play, then when you sit down to compile it in one place, you can't think of a single one. Sound like you? If so, this playlist is a good starting place.

Make your catalog visible

If you want to go old school and just print your catalog into a songbook, that can work - just make sure you place it in a visible spot that's easy to access. Not every fan likes to nearly walk on stage to request a song.

If your audience tends to be younger, or if you play most of your music online, a physical book probably won't cut it. Small plug here, but that's one benefit of SongMe; SongMe makes it easy for you to drop your catalog in one spot on the app, and your fans can sift through it during your shows and make requests in real-time.

Plus, it feels like nearly everyone records a song or small clip of a show at this point - so their phones are already in use.

Make sure your fans know they can make requests

Old-school or digital, you now have a mechanism for fans to interact with you on a deeper level. The hard part's over. But don't let all that hard work go to waste and just mention your catalog for song requests at the start of your show, or even worse, just drop a binder at the edge of your stage without a word.

Certainly, start the show by mentioning you love requests and how they can access your catalog - whether manual or digital. But plan points throughout the show where you bring it up again - you'll be glad you planned ahead if requests start running dry. If it makes sense for the venue you're playing, signage is always an easy way to communicate this. More on that in a minute...

Song requests are the quickest way to increase your tips at gigs

Playing song requests at your music gig gives your audience the interactive experience they’re looking for, making them feel more valued. Song requests personalize the show for your audience members, create something to remember (even if the drinks might make it blurry for your fans), and ultimately fill up the tip jar. It's a triple win.

3. Engage Your Audience

Generic phrase aside, there's a ton of value in being an engaging performer. If song requests are the power tool for engaging your fans, then this section is the energy supply.

You don't have to light your Strat on fire to engage your audience (although I would pay to see that) - and you of course don't want to stand on stage, and stare blankly into space while you play – instead, you should be interacting with your audience members more intimately.

And before your mind runs wild, I don't mean pop the champagne, run the bathwater, and get the chocolate-dipped strawberries out - I simply mean creating an environment where you take the lead on making the audience feel completely comfortable interacting with you - in other words, helping them get to a place where they exude how they feel or want to feel.

Banter... Banter...

Evaluate your strengths and weaknesses for this part - if you're funny, lean into humor. If you can tell a killer story, let loose. And if you're awkward, own it. A little self-deprecation can go a long way and put yourself and your fans at ease.

Mac Miller's NPR Music Tiny Desk Concert is a great example of owning your awkwardness. In an already uncomfortable setting, he was able to navigate between the deafening silence between songs by saying what everyone was thinking, even if he was the butt of the joke.

Narrating the pauses with "banter...banter..." or "it's a beautiful thing... let me tell you something about music... it's beautiful." Everyone - band, to the in-studio audience, to listeners and viewers - was all in on the performance now.

The music alone was enough for the show to be great, but being vulnerable on stage made his performance legendary.

Can you carry on a conversation?

Even a bassist can carry a conversation (it's a joke - all you bassists, please don't send hate mail.) If you said "no", I guarantee there are certain people you have a conversation with effortlessly.

Eye contact is critical for this part - if you make it a point to look at people in the audience when you're playing and not just the ground or your guitar, you're already miles ahead.

Research has shown that making eye contact with people can make them feel more connected to you, help build trust, and convey confidence - all things you want your audience to feel towards you.

From there, it's as easy as finding someone in the crowd to carry on a conversation with. If you lock in on someone and make them feel special, they will appreciate it and so will the people around them.

Start the conversation

Introduce yourself if you haven't already, then ask them how they're doing. Tough huh? Well, on stage it might feel that way, but break that ice. If it's their first time at the venue or seeing you play, make them feel welcome. Ask who they are there with, and try to include them in the convo too. 

Pro tip: If you're looking for something more creative than the typical "how are you doing", ask them what their favorite color is, or how they like their coffee.

If they give you a response that's one word or just a nod, feel free to move on to someone else - this isn't a job interview, and you don't want to come off as grilling your fans.

The key is to be genuine - if you're not interested in what they're saying or being fake, it will show, and people will pick up on that quickly.

Be an active listener

Now that you've started the conversation, be sure to actually listen to what the person is saying. This might sound like common sense, but you'd be surprised how many people space out or think about what they're going to say next when someone is talking to them.

Try to engage with what they're saying, and if you can, find something you have in common with them. This will help build a connection and make the conversation flow more naturally.

End the convo

If you're running out of things to say, or feel like you've talked enough,  it's time to move on. You don't want to overstay your welcome, so thank them for coming by. 

People expect interactive entertainment nowadays, especially as it relates to the music industry. Because of this, it’s only natural that audience members want the chance to get involved in what’s happening on stage or live stream. They probably don’t know how to play an instrument, so you have to come up with other ways to involve them.

You want to be their favorite performer, and the best way to do that is by making them feel like your favorite fan.

Happy fans = big tips + return customers.

4. Don't Be Shy - Ask For Tips

This isn't for everyone - so if you don't think you're the type of person who could ever be direct about tips, then skip on to the next step. But if you would consider being more forward about asking for tips, then this one's for you.

In a lot of cases, people want to give tips, but they don't know how or are too shy to ask. If you make it easy for them, they will be more likely to do it. If you don't have a tip jar (more on that below) or you aren't simplifying the tipping process via SongMe, then there are a few ways to approach this.

Pick your spots

Plan before the show when and how you will ask for tips. Practice in the mirror, pitch your request to your pup, call up mom and have her listen if you have to, but get over the hump of feeling weird asking for a tip. At the end of the day, you're providing a service, and people are more than happy to pay for the services they enjoy.

You can do this at the beginning of the set by saying something like "We appreciate your support, if you enjoyed the show and would like to leave a tip, we would greatly appreciate it."

Or, you can wait until the end of the show and say something like "Thank you so much for coming out tonight. If you enjoyed the music, we would really appreciate any tips you might be able to leave."

It's up to you when and how you want to do it - beginning, middle, end - but just make sure you pick your spots.

Don't be pushy when asking for tips

Whatever you do, just make sure you're not being pushy about it or making people feel uncomfortable. The last thing you want is for someone to regret coming to your show because they felt pressured into giving a tip.

If you take a direct approach to ask for tips, a nice verbal cue to add is something around "tips are voluntary." This puts people at ease.

Some people might not be able to give a tip, and that's okay! If they enjoyed your music, they'll be back and they'll tell their friends.

Remember, no matter how you go about asking for tips, always be grateful for any and all tips you receive. Your audience members are under no obligation to give you a tip, so show your appreciation for their support.

5. If You're Shy, You Can Still Ask For A Tip

We've gone the direct route, so now let's switch gears for the wallflowers. Actually, this is for everyone.

There are plenty of ways to indirectly ask for tips, and sometimes this is the best way to go about it. Especially if you're new to performing or still getting comfortable with the idea of asking people for money.

The first step is having a tip jar out and visible. This signals to your audience that tips are appreciated and provides a physical space for them to leave one if they choose to.

Standout with your tip jar

This is your chance to get creative. Yes, a standard mason jar with a "TIPS" sign taped to it works just fine, but if you want to step it up a notch, put some effort into making your tip jar stand out.

Think about what represents you and your music. Do you have a certain color or style that you're known for? Incorporate that into your design. If you don't have a specific "brand," think about what would look good on stage with your setup.

Your tip jar doesn't have to be anything fancy, but putting some thought into it will make it more noticeable and attractive to your audience members.

Just make sure it's big enough for people to see and that it won't be easily knocked over. You want people to feel comfortable leaving a tip and not feel like they're going to cause a scene.

Maximize the tip jar real estate

The tip jar is one of those things that gets a lot of views during a live show. Aside from saying "tips" or whatever clever phrase you come up with, it's an amazing place to promote yourself or pieces of your show.

If you take catalog requests, accept digital payments, or do both via SongMe, this is perfect real estate to let your audience know. This will make it easy to collect tips, improve engagement, and tackle the song requests all at once.

Best place to put the tip jar

You might be wondering where the best place to put the tip jar is. That really depends on the type of venue you're performing in and how your stage is set up. I know, that's a bit of a "non-answer."

But music venues can take a lot of different shapes these days: there's a massive difference between a living room concert and corporate events.

In general though, there are a couple ways to think about this:

If you have a table for merch sales, that's usually a good spot. People are already coming up to that area to purchase your music or other merchandise, so they'll be more likely to see the tip jar.

Another option is to put it on a stool or chair next to you while you're performing. This puts it right in your audience's line of sight and makes it easier for them to drop a tip-in while you're playing. Even if you're streaming your show, placing it in view is a good idea if you don't do a screen overlay.

The key is to make sure the tip jar is highly visible and within easy reach. You don't want people to have to go out of their way to leave a tip, or they might not bother.

Pro tip: If you have a manual catalog, place it right next to the tip jar.

If you're performing in a venue where tipping is common, such as a restaurant or bar, it's generally expected that you'll receive a tip at the end of your performance. In these cases, it's perfectly acceptable to pass around a tip jar or basket for people to drop their tips into.

Finally, it's highly recommended that you use different tactics from the direct and indirect methods for more tips - such as, at the beginning of your performance that tips are appreciated and if the tip jar isn't next to you, point out its location. This way, people are more likely to remember to leave a tip if they enjoyed your music and know where to go.

6. Mind Your Manners

Always say "Thank you" when someone drops a tip in the jar or via the app. This might seem like a no-brainer, but it's easy to forget when you're focused on performing.

Saying "thank you" shows your appreciation and makes the person who tipped feel good about their decision. It also sets the tone for future tips - if people feel appreciated, they're more likely to do it again.

If you can, say "thanks" in the moment

It's always a good idea to show appreciation in the moment - but it can be difficult to do. If you're able to build your words of gratitude into the performance, then absolutely do so. That can be an authentic way to connect with your fans and something unique.

Next time someone approaches you to drop a tip in - look at them - you'll notice them looking up at you as they drop in their tip. It's all about acknowledgment and feel appreciated. Something mutually shared.

When thanking someone, calling them out by name can go a really long way. This is super common in live streams, where the performer will thank a fan who left a tip - and name drops their username. You will typically see another tip from them come in right after.

Pro Tip: The SongMe app allows you to see the first name of fans who request songs or leave tips, if the fan elects to share their name.

Follow up with those you didn't get to thank mid-song

If you're in the middle of a song, sometimes it might not work out to say thanks the last thing you want to do is stop and thank someone for a tip.

A quick and easy solution is to keep a sign next to your tip jar that says "Thanks!" or something similar. That way, people know that you're grateful for their contribution and you don't have to interrupt your performance.

Say it after every show

Aside from announcing a broad thanks after your set, stick around and mingle if you can. Try to speak with each person who contributed to the tip jar - it'll go a long way for building relationships with your fans and turn them into super fans who are more likely to support you in the future.

You can also send a mass thank-you message via social media or email after the show to create an even stronger connection.

Just be polite - it's not that hard...

7. Make it Easy For People to Tip

This one should be a no-brainer, but you'd be surprised how often it's overlooked. If you want people to leave tips, make it easy for them. If you're already using SongMe, then make sure your audience knows that's where they can request songs and tip you.

No-fuss involved for you or your fans, which will certainly be appreciated by those who want to interact without heading to the stage or your website.

Clear a physical path

That means having a tip jar that's easy to access and visible from wherever people are standing or sitting. It also means making sure there's enough space around the jar so people don't feel like they're in the way or disrupting things by reaching for it.

Clear the digital path

The same goes for digital tipping - make sure the link to your tipping page is easy to find and use. If it's buried at the bottom of your website or social media profile, people are less likely to take the time to find it and tip you.

Plus, if you haven’t heard, nobody is carrying cash these days - and if your audience skews younger, that’s an even truer statement. There is a ton of compelling data to suggest that your tip jar should be digital at this point.

Keep It Simple and The Tips Will Come

We covered a lot of ground here - but the overarching theme of shifting your monetization mindset to focus on what you are already doing, instead of expanding to new areas. If you haven't maximized your current tip potential for current shows, don't move on to propping up a YouTube channel or starting a record label.

By following the tips above, you'll begin seeing an increase in your tips at each show - be it in person or via streaming services. Make it a priority to tend to your existing fans and supporters' experience during the show - and you'll be in a much better position to start generating the income you want to sustain your music career.

Building your tip jar is just one piece of improving your career - if you’re looking to sharpen your craft while on the road, definitely check out the 5 best apps for performing musicians. You’ll find some unique gems to keep enhancing you musicianship wherever you are.

Don't forget, people are more likely to support what they already know and love. So, keep doing what you're doing and the tips will come.

You heard from us - now we want to hear from you. Hit us with your tips for increasing tips?