4 Ways to Make Money as a Singer

Others are hobbyists—people who sing on the side while maintaining a regular job. And guess what? Even as a hobbyist, you can still earn money doing what you love.

At the very least, I highly recommend taking some vocal lessons first. The reason isn’t simply “so you can sing better!”

The main reason to take vocal lessons is to learn proper technique and avoid hurting yourself. Injuring your voice is surprisingly easy—perhaps easier than injuring any other part of your body. And once you’ve damaged your voice, recovery can be a long, painful, and difficult journey.

Don’t let that happen to you!

Your voice is precious, and you’ll need it even when you’re not singing. Good technique is essential. Never sing on a sore throat, ever, if you can help it.

Now, let’s explore the methods:

1. Be a Vocal Coach

Also known as a “singing teacher,” vocal coaching is one of the first things that comes to mind when thinking about getting paid to sing.

As a vocal coach, your job involves helping others improve their singing, which means you’ll spend as much time teaching as singing yourself. Having a solid understanding of vocal techniques is crucial to guide others effectively—so those prior vocal lessons will come in handy here, too.

The pay scale for vocal coaching is often in the “supplementary income” range. However, since coaching is typically done on a per-session basis, you’ll only need to commit to 1 or 2 hours at a time. This flexibility makes it easier to fit into your schedule.

You can find students on Craigslist, advertise on Facebook, or teach your friends’ kids. Some music stores may also be glad to let you put up flyers. This is a word-of-mouth approach to making money singing.

2. Play Coffee Shops and Local Businesses

This is a classic option for aspiring musicians. It might be a coffee shop, a bar, or a restaurant, but all around the world, you’ll find musicians performing in these places.

Many musicians do this work pro bono—meaning they’re willing to perform for free. If music is your long-term goal, you might consider doing it for free as well. This method is about gaining exposure.

That doesn’t mean you can’t get paid. Bars, in particular, often offer small compensation to performers.

Personally, I’ve seen a singer who works high-end restaurants in town. He performs lounge covers of popular songs and earns tips. From what I can tell, he’s paid pretty well. The ability to play an instrument while you sing is a big plus.

If you want to pursue this, the key is to approach as many businesses as possible. Many will be open to discussions or may direct you to someone looking for performers.

You can also check Craigslist. My local Craigslist often has listings looking for talent in the “gigs” section.

3. Record and Sell Jingles

We’re all familiar with advertising jingles, which I touched on a while ago. Some are great, and some are not-so-great, but even the bad ones have a way of sticking in your head.

If you have the skills, there’s definitely money to be made writing jingles. In fact, some people turn it into a full-time career.

Jingles are a bit different from the other options on this list. They require self-promotion, as you’re entering a competitive field. To succeed, you need to create high-quality work and get your name out there.

It also helps if you can play multiple instruments. In this case, being able to play a keyboard is especially useful, as synthesizers are commonly used in jingles.

Once you’ve recorded a few demos, try shopping them around. You could even create one or two for free for a local business. Exposure is valuable, especially when you’re just starting out.

If you’re serious about writing jingles, I recommend getting an agent. At this point, you’ll officially be stepping into the entertainment industry! For more tips, check out this great post on how to write an effective jingle.

4. Street Performing

I’ve saved (what I consider) the best for last: busking, or street performing.

While some people might view street performing as similar to “panhandling,” that couldn’t be farther from the truth.

In fact, successful street performers have been known to make several thousand dollars in a single night!

There is an art to it. Like most of the options on this list, it helps if you can play an instrument, too. Even if you can’t, consider getting a guitarist to join you.

The secret to making money busking is to play covers of pop songs or rock classics. You’ll earn much more if you change the genre of the cover. For example, performing a funk version of “Stairway to Heaven” or a slow ballad version of “Anaconda” can grab attention!

People want to hear music they know, so playing original songs might not bring in as much money. While there are exceptions, you’re generally better off performing more covers than originals.

If you really want to maximize your earnings, head to the area of your town with lots of bars. When people have had a few drinks and hear you playing music, they’re more likely to generously tip you!

Final Thoughts

I must reiterate an important point: be absolutely careful not to strain your voice! This is one of the most common mistakes singers make, and it can be very difficult to recover from. Vocal strain has ended many promising careers.

If that’s not a concern for you, my final advice is to focus on exposure as much as possible.

Making money with music is all about consistency and getting yourself out there. If you’re going to try any of the methods I’ve mentioned in this article, make sure you commit to them!

There’s no money to be made if you don’t give it a serious effort.

For more ideas, check out the “Street Performing” entry (#28) in my post here.