Guest post by Randi Zimmerman of the Symphonic Blog

From sampling to publishing, there are many avenues producers can take to earn more money. Looking to make more from your efforts? Here are some ways to generate some extra dough as a producer…

Fiverr

For those looking to sharpen their freelancing skills and make some extra money at the same time, this is a great option to consider. Fiverr is one of the most popular freelancing sites among creatives. With it, you can offer services for basic music productions like 30-second custom instrumentals or eveN longer works for a higher fee.

• When you’re first starting out and looking to gain some traction in the freelance world, consider offering smaller, less expensive services that don’t take up too much of your time.

• Once you’ve got the hang of it and you can streamline the process, don’t be afraid to shoot the prices up for bigger, more committed projects.

Bodega Sync

Getting your tracks featured in TV and film is a great way to bank some extra income as a producer. As a Symphonic Distribution client, you have the opportunity to apply for representation by our in-house sync licensing division, Bodega Sync.

If accepted, Bodega will help place your music in TV shows, commercials, films, etc. by pitching to music supervisors and advertising agencies, negotiating licensing deals, and completing all the paperwork for you. With Bodega Sync, we make sure everything is done properly so you don’t miss out on all the payments you’re rightfully owed.

TrackLib

More than 95% of sampling is illegal sampling infringing on original copyrights, leaving rights holders high and dry. For producers like you, TrackLib has changed the game.

• TrackLib is the world’s first and only platform for legal sampling & licensing of original music.

• Their services allow producers to truly own their own music by having a legal, accessible library of music that anyone can clear.

How does that help make you more money? // If you have a catalog, make it available for people to sample and license in TrackLib. By doing that, you’ll make royalties off other creatives using your material, legally and safely.

Splice Sounds

Splice Sounds is a great service from Splice that allows producers to sell sample packs. With over two million royalty-free samples, midi files and presets, this online catalog is very popular among music producers and yields great results.

• To submit your tracks, fill out and submit their Sounds Provider Submission Form.

YouTube

YouTube is an incredibly lucrative resource for independent artists. To be able to monetize your channel, you’ll need to get in the habit of regularly uploading content in order to qualify for the YouTube Partner Program. Once you reach 1,000 subscribers and 4,000 watch hours, you’re qualified to monetize.

Even if you’re usually behind the scenes, that doesn’t mean having a YouTube channel isn’t for you. Any videos that use your songs earn you royalties, so even if your channel isn’t monetized yet you can still earn royalties.

• Whether you uploaded the video yourself or not, your publisher can claim any video on any channel that has your music in it. This applies even if it’s a live performance, cover, or official recording.

• Once your publisher claims it, they can monetize it (if it’s eligible), and you can start collecting royalties from it.

Patreon

You’ve probably heard of Patreon. Especially with the lack of live shows this year, Patreon has been a life saver for independent musicians, producers, and content creators alike. Patreon is a great platform that lets creatives provide whatever content they like for a set subscription fee.

That means you can teach the basics of producing, show behind-the-scenes looks at your creative process, and even do mini shows if that’s what you want. The best part is it’s up to you what you want to feature and how much you want to charge.

Symphonic for Production

Symphonic for Production puts the producers at the forefront, offering everything from sample packs and mastering services to STEMs and so much more, all in one place. Everything they do is to benefit producers at any level to meet their greatest potential and make money doing so. — Here’s what they have to offer:

• Publishing // Do you have music you have yet to register on a performing rights organization? — By becoming a publishing administration client, we ensure your material is registered and you’re collecting royalties.

• Sample Packs, VSTs, Plugins // We aren’t only a hub for producers to get beats monetized and protected, we also work closely with producers and record labels to create sample packs for sale via the official Symphonic For Production retail brand with distribution to sounds.com. — Additionally, our retail brand will feature production software and samples that you can use to beef up your productions even further.

• Mastering // Symphonic’s team of engineers will enhance your product and take it to the next level. With over a decade of experience mastering music of all genres, we’ll take your mix down and master it and/or we can mix and master your track from your multi track stems.

• Protection, Distribution, and Monetization // Protect your music on YouTube, Soundcloud, Facebook, VK (Russia), and more while ensuring that it’s properly monetized. For just 15% of royalties, you can upload your beats and make money from the use of the material. (Applying to this plan will also opt you into STEMS Distribution and so much more.)

In Conclusion…

As a producer, you have a lot on your plate. Let’s face it, earning a sustainable income from this industry requires more than just sheer talent alone. You need to stay up to date with licensing, build a team that has your back, and adapt your strategy to the ever-changing landscape of the industry. That’s why platforms and services like these dedicate services to help you ensure you’re on top of it all without breaking a sweat.

You got this.