14 Passive Income Ideas For Musicians [2024]
Interested in earning passive income as a musician in 2024?
We put together a few of the best passive income ideas you can start as a musician today. These will help you increase your quality of life by bringing in more income for yourself or your business.
For each income idea, we’ll show you real-world examples, revenue expectations for each idea, plus some things you might need to know before you start your passive income journey as a musician.
Here's the full list:
1. Make passive income with a YouTube channel ($72.1K/month)
Starting a YouTube channel could be a fantastic way for musicians to supplement their income or even create passive revenue streams. With your musical background, you could produce content like how-to guides on playing instruments, tips on songwriting, or behind-the-scenes looks at your creative process. Additionally, you could offer educational videos on music theory or entertaining vlogs about your journey as a musician.
YouTube allows you to earn money through ads, sponsorships, and selling your own merchandise. By consistently uploading quality videos and engaging with your audience, you could build a loyal following. This platform provides a unique opportunity to share your expertise and passions while potentially making money as you grow your channel.
How much you can make: $2,000 — $333,333/month
How much does it cost to start: $5,250 (?)
How long does it take to build: 30 days (?)
This case study follows the journey of a young entrepreneur from Nigeria who started a profitable blog generating a monthly revenue of $1,500+ through sales of advertising space, sponsored posts, and information products, and shares his strategies for success including a Twitter growth challenge and guest post pitches.
2. Make passive income with a niche blog ($31.5K/month)
Starting a niche blog could be an effective way for you to supplement your income as a musician. You could share your expertise on topics like music reviews, industry tips, gear recommendations, or even tutorials on how to play specific songs. Engaging with a passionate online community through unique and informative content could not only help you gain visibility but also establish you as an authority in your chosen niche.
To begin, identify an underserved and profitable niche within the music field—perhaps something specific like rare instrument care or indie band interviews. Once your blog gains traction, you could monetize it by providing affiliate links, collaborating with relevant music brands, or even growing a related YouTube channel. Consistent engagement with your followers and creating content you are passionate about is key to your blog's success.
Making this a side hustle could diversify your income streams while allowing you to share your love for music with a broader audience.
How much you can make: $100 — $650,000/month
How much does it cost to start: $650 (?)
How long does it take to build: 60 days (?)
Starter Story grew to 1.4 million monthly visitors and millions in annual revenue by sharing the stories of entrepreneurs. Pat breaks down the early days and how he grew the business into something that changed his life.
3. Make passive income with an online course sales business ($85K/month)
As a musician, you could supplement your income by sharing your expertise through an online course sales business. Imagine creating courses on topics you’re passionate about, like music theory, guitar techniques, or even songwriting tips. With so many people looking to learn from the comfort of their own homes, the market for online music education is vast and growing rapidly.
By choosing a specific audience, such as beginners or advanced musicians, you could tailor your content to meet their needs. Once you've created your course, you could use popular online learning platforms to reach a global audience, turning your knowledge into a steady stream of passive income. This way, you not only share your passion but also create an additional revenue stream that continues to earn money, even when you’re not actively teaching.
How much you can make: $100 — $300,000/month
How much does it cost to start: $2,000 (?)
How long does it take to build: 180 days (?)
A multipreneur shares how she built a successful print on demand side hustle, generating $120,000 per year through multiple brands spread over various platforms.
4. Make passive income with a podcast ($97.9K/month)
Starting a podcast as a musician could offer a fantastic way to supplement your income while sharing your passion. You could create content around your experiences, music industry tips, or interviews with fellow musicians, attracting an audience interested in your niche. With basic recording equipment and a few hours dedicated to planning and recording, you could quickly get your podcast off the ground.
To make it even easier, you could use affordable hosting platforms to share your episodes online. As your audience grows, there’s potential to earn money through sponsorships, ads, and even listener donations. Building a podcast could also help you connect more deeply with your fans and potentially draw new listeners to your music.
How much you can make: $400 — $1,020,000/month
How much does it cost to start: $2,000 (?)
How long does it take to build: 60 days (?)
Time commitment per week: Min. 2 hours/week
A successful podcast production company that grew from one client making $15/hour to a team of 10 contractors producing over 30 shows per week with revenue of over $10k/mo, primarily through referrals and with a focus on providing high personal touch and being picky about working only with clients who are a good fit.
5. Make passive income with an affiliate marketing business ($77.5K/month)
As a musician, you could start an affiliate marketing business to supplement your income by promoting products and services that you already use and love in your musical journey. Imagine earning a commission every time someone buys a musical instrument, sound equipment, or even music software using your unique link. This way, your passion for music directly translates into a steady stream of passive income.
To get started, you could research and partner with brands or companies that align with your musical interests. By sharing these products with your audience through your social media, website, or blog, you leverage your existing fanbase and credibility. It’s an opportunity to create some extra money while continuing to focus on your primary passion—making music.
How much you can make: $500 — $773,000/month
How much does it cost to start: $700 (?)
How long does it take to build: 60 days (?)
This case study explores how Spencer Mecham founded Buildapreneur, an affiliate marketing business, and has made over half a million dollars in profit with no employees, relying solely on content marketing through platforms like Facebook, YouTube, and TikTok.
6. Make passive income with a stock photography business ($14.6K/month)
As a musician, you could consider starting a stock photography business to supplement your income. With an investment in some good photography gear and a bit of learning, you could take advantage of the demand for high-quality stock photos. Businesses often need stock photos for marketing materials, websites, and blogs, offering a steady market for your images.
By building an impressive portfolio and maintaining a strong online presence, you could sell your stock photos at profitable margins. This venture would allow you to leverage your creative eye and create an additional revenue stream that doesn’t require constant attention, leaving you more time to focus on your music.
How much you can make: $1,200 — $45,000/month
How much does it cost to start: $3,500 (?)
How long does it take to build: 60 days (?)
Pro Photo Studio founder Tsour Lee Adato shares how she turned a $5k investment into a business that services over 500 clients annually and makes approximately $350k per year with plans to expand and become a 7-figure business while offering advice to fellow entrepreneurs to always be innovating, learning and growing, and not to undervalue themselves.
7. Make passive income with a mobile app ($70.3K/month)
As a musician, you could leverage your unique skills and creativity by developing a mobile app tailored to music lovers. Perhaps it's an app that teaches people how to play instruments, offers music production tips, or even curates your own custom playlists. This way, you're not only sharing your expertise but also building a potential source of passive income.
Creating a mobile app doesn't necessarily mean you need to know how to code; there are plenty of developers available for hire who can bring your vision to life. The key is to come up with a concept that resonates with a wide audience and offers value, either through education, entertainment, or productivity. Once your app is launched, many tasks can become automated, allowing it to generate revenue with minimal day-to-day involvement from you.
With mobile apps being so integral to everyday life, the potential for reaching a vast audience is enormous. Effective marketing will be essential to make your app successful, ensuring it gets the visibility it deserves. By investing time and effort into this project initially, you could enjoy a steady income stream for years to come.
How much you can make: $1 — $500,000/month
How long does it take to build: 180 days (?)
BACH, an app that plans and books bachelorette parties, has grown from $0 to >$1M net revenue run rate in less than 6 months, gained over 100,000 users in their first 60 days, and has over 40,000 parties using the app this month.
8. Make passive income with a subscription box business ($97.9K/month)
As a musician, starting a subscription box business could be a great way to supplement your income and engage with your fan base in a new way. Imagine curating a monthly box filled with exclusive items like limited edition merch, behind-the-scenes content, or even unique music-related gadgets and accessories that cater to fellow musicians and music enthusiasts.
This could create a consistent revenue stream while also allowing you to share your passion and expertise. By focusing on providing quality products that resonate with your audience, you build a deeper connection with your fans and open up a new, profitable avenue that can run alongside your music career.
How much you can make: $400 — $400,000/month
How much does it cost to start: $210 (?)
How long does it take to build: 180 days (?)
Vowed Box Co. is a line of curated, quirky gift boxes with non-traditional brides in mind, offering four different products that have helped the business become profitable most months since its launch in 2018, with a monthly income of roughly $600.
9. Print on demand business ($411K/month)
Starting a print-on-demand business could be a great way for you as a musician to supplement your income and make extra money. By designing trendy and unique products like custom apparel, phone cases, and home goods, you could leverage your musical brand and creativity. Imagine your fans buying t-shirts with your band logo or posters featuring your original artwork—it's a way to connect with your audience and earn from your passion.
With no need for upfront inventory costs and the ability to run the business from home, print-on-demand offers a low-risk entry into entrepreneurship. Utilizing platforms like Amazon, eBay, and Etsy, you could reach a global audience and sell your merchandise without the hassle of handling the production and shipping logistics. This way, you get to focus on creating and performing music while also building a scalable income stream on the side.
How much you can make: $200 — $3,000,000/month
How long does it take to build: 30 days (?)
Time commitment per week: Min. 5 hours/week
Founder Roy Kirchner shares how he started an eCommerce business specializing in 3D printing with an initial investment of $65,000, which now averages monthly gross sales of $330,000 and has partnered with international manufacturers and local businesses while offering technical support and education.
10. Make passive income with a niche website ($107K/month)
As a musician, you could supplement your income and explore new creative avenues by starting a niche website dedicated to a specific aspect of music you are passionate about. Think of topics like music production tips, instrument tutorials, or even reviews of musical gear. This focused website can attract a dedicated audience who shares your interests, providing you with opportunities to connect and share your expertise.
With consistent effort in creating quality content, you could drive traffic to your site and monetize it through affiliate marketing, ad placements, or selling digital products like e-books or online courses. Over time, as your site gains traction, it could turn into a steady stream of passive income. Whether you're into sharing knowledge or reviewing products, building a niche website offers a blend of creative freedom and potential revenue.
How much you can make: $400 — $250,000/month
How long does it take to build: 60 days (?)
DPW (Digital Procurement World) is a fast-growing conference and community in procurement that has more than tripled in revenue since launching in 2019, capping out the year at €1.8 million, with 95% of their growth coming from inbound traffic leveraging LinkedIn and applying social selling techniques.
11. Make passive income with an ai based business solution ($55.8K/month)
If you're a musician looking to supplement your income, starting an AI-based business solution could be a strategic move. This could involve leveraging AI to optimize various aspects of your business, such as automating repetitive tasks, enhancing customer service, or providing valuable data insights. For instance, you could use AI tools to manage your schedule, handle customer inquiries, or create personalized marketing strategies for your music brand.
Even if you don’t have a tech background, many AI platforms are designed to be user-friendly and come with strong support systems, making it easier for you to get started. As the demand for AI solutions continues to grow, this could be a great opportunity to tap into a rapidly expanding market. By integrating AI into your business, you could increase efficiency, reduce costs, and ultimately, create a new revenue stream while focusing more on your creative endeavors.
How much you can make: $4,000 — $120,000/month
How long does it take to build: 125 days (?)
Mikkelsen Twins grew an online education company from scratch with over 800 students, making over 6-figures in profit every month thanks to their successful program, Audiobook Income Academy 2.0.
12. Make passive income with a social media automation business ($139K/month)
Starting a social media automation business could enable you to manage multiple social media accounts effortlessly while driving engagement and growth. As a musician, you already understand the importance of maintaining a consistent online presence to connect with your audience. By creating tools and services to schedule posts, automate interactions, and analyze data, you could offer valuable solutions to small businesses, influencers, and fellow musicians who want to save time and enhance their social media presence.
The demand for consistent and strategic social media engagement is growing, providing you with a significant opportunity to tap into this market. The actual work involves developing or integrating software solutions, keeping up with social media trends, and tailoring services to your clients' needs. For musicians with a knack for technology and marketing, this side hustle could be both rewarding and profitable.
How much you can make: $4,000 — $400,000/month
How long does it take to build: 50 days (?)
MeetEdgar, a bootstrapped social media automation tool founded in 2014 by Laura Roeder, has grown to $4 million in annual recurring revenue and more than 5,000 customers, with a team size of two dozen, achieved through content marketing, social media marketing, and organic search.
13. Make passive income with an AI writing tool ($255K/month)
As a musician, you could start an AI writing tool business that caters to content creators like other musicians, bloggers, and students. This tool could generate accurate and engaging written content, helping others save time and effort. Imagine creating a solution that takes the hassle out of writing, allowing users to focus more on their creative endeavors.
By leveraging AI technology, you provide an error-free and time-efficient writing resource that can adapt to various needs. This innovative tool could transform content creation processes, helping individuals boost their productivity. You could be at the forefront of this digital revolution, providing a service that's needed in today's fast-paced, content-driven world.
How much you can make: $4,000 — $1,000,000/month
How long does it take to build: 52 days (?)
Rytr, a new AI writing assistant developed by a startup platform and business incubator, has become a market leader, serving over 300,000 customers across the world and doing seven figures in ARR.
14. Make passive income with an ecommerce reselling business ($83.3K/month)
Starting an ecommerce reselling business could be a fantastic way for musicians to supplement their income. As a musician, you could purchase goods or services to resell online, sidestepping the hassle of production costs. This allows you to leverage your creative skill set in new ways, turning items that resonate with your audience into profitable ventures.
You don’t even need a website right away; you could begin by establishing a presence on social media to connect with potential buyers. As your side business grows, you could eventually develop a dedicated website to expand further. This opportunity provides a flexible, low-cost way to make extra money while continuing to focus on your music.
How much you can make: $4,000 — $150,000/month
How much does it cost to start: $2,999 (?)
How long does it take to build: 75 days (?)
Empyre Off-Road, an e-commerce business founded by Greg Shuey which sells aftermarket parts for Toyota Tacomas, Tundras, and 4Runners, generated approximately $100,000 a month in revenue and was able to expand its product offering, focusing on content marketing, email marketing campaigns, and organic social media to attract and retain customers.
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Download the report and join our email newsletter packed with business ideas and money-making opportunities, backed by real-life case studies.
Download the report and join our email newsletter packed with business ideas and money-making opportunities, backed by real-life case studies.
Download the report and join our email newsletter packed with business ideas and money-making opportunities, backed by real-life case studies.
Download the report and join our email newsletter packed with business ideas and money-making opportunities, backed by real-life case studies.
Download the report and join our email newsletter packed with business ideas and money-making opportunities, backed by real-life case studies.
Download the report and join our email newsletter packed with business ideas and money-making opportunities, backed by real-life case studies.
Download the report and join our email newsletter packed with business ideas and money-making opportunities, backed by real-life case studies.
