Can one make money on YouTube with music? Yes, it is definitely possible to make money on YouTube with music, and there are several ways to do it. Whether you’re creating original songs, performing covers, or providing tutorials, you can monetize your music on YouTube.
Ways To Make Money on Youtube with Music
Below are the key ways to make money on YouTube with music on the platform:
1. YouTube Partner Program (YPP) – Ad Revenue
- What It Is: Once your channel meets the requirements (1,000 subscribers and 4,000 watch hours in the past 12 months), you can join the YouTube Partner Program and start earning ad revenue.
- How to Implement:
- Post original music videos, lyric videos, or performance clips.
- Upload behind-the-scenes content of your music-making process.
- Optimize your video titles and descriptions for better visibility and engagement.
- How Much You Can Earn: Ad revenue typically brings in $1 to $5 per 1,000 views, depending on factors like video content, audience location, and the type of ads displayed.
2. YouTube Music and Streaming Revenue
- What It Is: You can distribute your original music to YouTube Music via music distribution platforms like DistroKid, TuneCore, or CD Baby, which upload your music to YouTube and other streaming platforms.
- How to Implement:
- Create and distribute original music through a distribution service.
- Create music videos or lyric videos to attract more viewers and streams.
- How Much You Can Earn: YouTube typically pays around $0.0006 to $0.008 per stream, so while earnings per stream are low, they add up over time, especially if your music gets a lot of plays.
3. Affiliate Marketing
- What It Is: You can recommend music-related products (e.g., instruments, software, or gear) and include affiliate links in your video descriptions. You’ll earn a commission when viewers make purchases through your links.
- How to Implement:
- Create videos reviewing music gear, software, or services.
- Provide tutorials for using musical equipment or software and include links to those products.
- Sign up for affiliate programs through Amazon, Sweetwater, or other retailers that sell music equipment.
- How Much You Can Earn: Affiliates typically offer 5% to 30% commissions per sale. Beginners might earn $10 to $200+ per month, depending on the number of sales and audience engagement.
4. Sponsorships
- What It Is: As your channel grows, companies that sell music-related products may sponsor your videos, paying you to showcase or review their products.
- How to Implement:
- Contact music brands or companies that align with your audience.
- Use platforms like FameBit or Grapevine to connect with potential sponsors.
- How Much You Can Earn: Sponsorships for beginners can range from $50 to $500 per video, depending on the size of your audience and the brand’s budget.
5. Super Chats and Channel Memberships (Livestreaming)
- What It Is: You can earn money during livestreams through Super Chats, where viewers pay to have their messages highlighted. You can also offer Channel Memberships where fans pay monthly for exclusive perks.
- How to Implement:
- Livestream performances, jam sessions, or Q&A’s with your audience.
- Offer exclusive music, early access to songs, or personalized shoutouts to channel members.
- How Much You Can Earn: Super Chats and memberships can bring in $50 to $200+ per month, depending on your audience’s engagement.
6. Crowdfunding Platforms (Patreon, Ko-fi)
- What It Is: You can use platforms like Patreon or Ko-fi to allow your fans to support you financially in exchange for exclusive content.
- How to Implement:
- Offer exclusive content to supporters, such as early access to new music, behind-the-scenes videos, or one-on-one lessons.
- Promote your Patreon or Ko-fi page in your YouTube video descriptions.
- How Much You Can Earn: Beginners may earn $20 to $200+ per month from loyal fans, depending on the perks offered and audience engagement.
7. Selling Music and Merchandise
- What It Is: Sell your music directly or offer related merchandise (T-shirts, posters, CDs, vinyl, etc.) to your audience.
- How to Implement:
- Use platforms like Bandcamp, Gumroad, or Shopify to sell your music and merchandise.
- Promote your music and products in video descriptions and during videos.
- How Much You Can Earn: You can earn $50 to $1,000+ per month, depending on the demand for your music and merchandise.
8. Sync Licensing
- What It Is: License your original music for use in films, commercials, or other creators’ YouTube videos. You get paid each time your music is used.
- How to Implement:
- Register with sync licensing platforms like AudioJungle, Epidemic Sound, or Artlist.
- Upload your original compositions to these platforms to be used by other content creators.
- How Much You Can Earn: Sync licensing can bring in $100 to $500+ per license, and royalties can accumulate over time as your music gets more uses.
9. Monetizing Covers (With Proper Licensing)
- What It Is: If you perform cover songs, you can still make money on YouTube, but you need to ensure the proper licenses are in place. Services like We Are The Hits and Loudr can help you legally license cover songs for YouTube.
- How to Implement:
- Record and upload cover songs to YouTube.
- Use a service like We Are The Hits to license the song and share ad revenue with the original rights holders.
- How Much You Can Earn: Ad revenue from covers is split with the original songwriters, but you can still earn $1 to $5 per 1,000 views, depending on the song and audience.
Make Money on YouTube with Music as a Beginner
As a beginner on YouTube, your earnings will depend on factors like your content quality, niche, audience size, and engagement. Here’s an estimate of what you can earn in the early stages:
- Ad Revenue: Once monetized, you can earn $1 to $5 per 1,000 views.
- Affiliate Marketing: Beginners may earn $10 to $200+ per month through affiliate sales.
- Sponsorships: Sponsorship deals could bring in $50 to $500 per video.
- Super Chats and Memberships: You can earn $50 to $200+ per month from livestreams and memberships.
- Crowdfunding: Crowdfunding through platforms like Patreon can bring in $20 to $200+ per month.
- Merch Sales: Selling your music or merchandise can bring in $50 to $1,000+ per month.
- Sync Licensing: Licensing your music for commercial use could earn $100 to $500+ per license.
Total Estimated Monthly Earnings for a Beginner: You can realistically expect to earn $100 to $1,000+ per month as you grow your channel and engage your audience. As your channel grows, so will your earning potential.
Key Tips for Success while trying to make money on YouTube
- Consistency: Regularly upload music-related content to keep your audience engaged.
- Diverse Content: Experiment with different types of music content (original songs, covers, tutorials, vlogs) to attract a broader audience.
- Promote Your Channel: Share your videos on social media and collaborate with other musicians or creators to expand your reach.
- Optimize for Search: Use relevant keywords in your titles, descriptions, and tags to make your videos discoverable.
- Engage with Your Audience: Respond to comments, hold Q&A’s, and ask for feedback to build a loyal fanbase.
By leveraging these monetization strategies and engaging your audience, you can build a sustainable income with music on YouTube.
