One Big Question
Posted by Justin Boland on Nov 18, 2009 | 12 comments
The most interesting question from the Audible Hype Survey was the simplest: Do you think you can make a living off music in 2009?. I’m going to pose it again here because I want to get the largest data set I can—we’re going for 4 figures this time. This is a question at the core of everything Audible Hype is about, and something that cuts across all genres.
The 33% Theory
Here’s how the results turned out last time:
I’m pretty fascinated by that ratio, so this is an experiment to see if it stays the same with a bigger data set. Thank you for your time and your answer.
12 Comments
1 Justin Boland says...
And once again, I'll publish the results and update this when it's done. More original content dropping tomorrow, thanks for tolerating some nerd shit, folks.
Posted at 2:31 p.m. on November 18, 2009
2 Netvalar says...
Making money in 2009 with your music is simple
Build the following into your own personal strategy and customize your own creativity too.
1-Selection of free for members (i.e. fans) only. Membership can be as simple as your twitter followers, myspace followers, or much better business sense type like mailing list (vitally newsletter), membership site, etc. be creative and make it you
2-Selection of promotional music, for use by podcasters, fans wanting to make music videos, bloggers wanting to review your music, hell get creative and send it to the moon I don't care.
3-Combine your music with at least 1 other thing (I like a variation of your bands web-site), make it that dead thing um what do they call it oh yea physical product. However only do a limited issue of about 10% of your total known fan base. Charge what you feel it is worth.
4+- Be as creative in your business/music career strategy as you are with your MUSIC. There has to be at least 1000 ideas floating out there and no 1 person has all of them. However remember that your hard core fans are not the only music listeners looking for your music let the casual music listener find you too.
Posted at 2:42 p.m. on November 18, 2009
3 Infinitez says...
I voted hell yes obviously. I'm surprised you don't get more like 70% or 80% answering the same. I would think that most people reading this are as motivated as me. We can DEFINITELY be making a living. Put in work!
Posted at 7:31 p.m. on November 18, 2009
4 Justin Boland says...
I was surprised, too! I'd like to think I'm a better coach than that.
At the same time, I'm glad people are pessimistic-it makes them depressed, apathetic, and less likely to compete with us.
I recently had a dude tell me he quit rapping because of reading "The Year of the Glut" and I was very disappointed when I found out he was kidding.
Posted at 7:42 p.m. on November 18, 2009
5 Mario Mendoza says...
I feel like Stone Cold Steve Austin: "Give me a hell yeah!" I have to agree with you Infinitez and Justin about putting in work and letting the pessimists thin out the competition pool. There is no easy way to do this, you just have to be smart and put in hard work like your rent depends on it.
The numbers start to show how many people really go all in like Phil Ivey. I cant imagine my life without music, so its game on. Fight for what you believe in and become a musician/entrepreneur that learns from mistakes and capitalizes on opportunities... I see great progress the harder I work so I will work till the wheels fall off.....
Posted at 8:03 p.m. on November 18, 2009
6 ryanve says...
I think hell yes mostly if you tour, tour, and tour.
Posted at 8:06 p.m. on November 18, 2009
7 Daniel \"Danny Dee\" Aguayo says...
I strongly believe you can, the indie labels I advise are a testament to that. You just gotta grind harder than ever before and consistently put out quality product.
Its getting tougher for rappers though lol. They cant really tour & get it in like a indie band or some electro djs.
Posted at 4:41 a.m. on November 19, 2009
8 Pro says...
The answer is 'Hell Yes'... The problem is that most people think that it will come easily and are still waiting for a 'record deal' that will magically pay them a ton of money to keep doing what they are doing...
If you put in work (and i mean WORK), you can certainly make a (great) living at this.
But, because the majority of the people involved in music do not have what it takes (not with skill, but persistence), I answered 'probably not'.
Posted at 9:11 a.m. on November 19, 2009
9 iRthMonKey says...
As long as your cost of living and expectations are realistic...sure ya can!
but it kinda works out like..
"twice the amount of work for a tenth of the pay"
you can use that BTW.
but the rewards are worth it....yeah?
get to create as often as possible, set your own hours, meet lots of interesting folks...it's a living as long as you can live simply and realistically.
Posted at 5:07 p.m. on November 19, 2009
10 Suzanne Lainson says...
I've worked with a number of talented artists/musicians. I usually try to paint a pessimistic, but realistic picture. Trying to come up with enough money to pay living expenses for everyone in a band is hard. You probably need at a minimum $10,000 coming in every month to give everyone in a 4-piece band a minimum-wage income.
What I usually do is to say, "How many gigs, how many t-shirts, how many CDs, how many memberships, etc. are you going to sell to generate your money?" When you start thinking like that, you begin to get realistic about what is doable. If you are getting $200 for your band to play a gig, you are no where close to making enough money to support yourselves.
Posted at 4:02 a.m. on November 20, 2009
11 Eric says...
The number one thing you need if your planning on making a living off of music, is you have to be giving your audience something they really want to hear. I know that sounds simple, but if your talented and make good songs that people really want to hear, then you have a good chance of being able to make a living off of it.
Posted at 2:39 a.m. on November 23, 2009
12 Justin Boland says...
I usually black out with pineal gland rage attacks when people say "it's all about the music" but I know you're a good dude who means well. I have enough coffee to control the beast today.
I should probably do a post of DIY Gospel, because we can't keep repeating "the sky is blue" and "breathing is a good idea." Yes, it's all about the music. Also, you should probably hire a good graphic designer, and tune your instruments before you go onstage. Wear condoms and don't pay for your drugs before you get them. Etc.
I'm definitely interested in ALIENATING the audience that needs to read stuff like that. I recognize there's a need for that kind of content, and writers like Loren Weisman or Bob Baker, but that's not where I want to hang out.
So, coming this week: a Declaration of Independents.
Posted at 1:08 p.m. on November 23, 2009