How To Make Money Making Music in Kenya in 2024

Did you just Google how to make money making music and landed in this post?

Whatever keyword you used, it landed you on the best post you will ever find about how to make money making music in Kenya.

Without a doubt, I will show you how to earn a living from your talent without breaking a sweat.

In fact, the strategies that we discuss here are the same strategies used by popular artists in the Kenyan Music industry to make money.

And look how most of them are ‘balling.’

Flashy lifestyles, beautiful models, and breath-taking views from their bedroom windows.

Who doesn’t want that?

But the fact is, it all doesn’t come easy. Hold that fantasy for a minute.

I don’t want you living that lie.

All these artists you see on music videos flashing cash all over are faking it. Don’t believe everything you see and hear on those videos.

Finding it hard to believe?

Take the Ferrari you see in those music videos for example.

They are all rentals.

In fact, it is a thriving business, renting super cars and other ‘high-life’ stuff to wannabes.

And here you are beating yourself up for not being ‘lucky’ like when the whole thing is a lie.

Enough of that rant.

ALSO READ: – HOW TO MAKE MONEY MAKING VIDEOS IN KENYA

Let’s get a common ground. You have a talent for making music. When you hear a beat, you can’t help but spit rhymes after rhymes. Even your folks are all in agreement that you are blessed.

Wait, before you ‘sell’ your soul to the devil (so to speak) trying to find an easy way to make money with music, here are proven ways to make money making music.

Proven ways to make money making music

#1. Sell your music

This is the #1 method of making money creating music.

There are several ways of selling your music.

• Digital distribution
• Tradition distribution

With digital distribution, you are leveraging music aggregators like Spotify to distribute your music all over the place.

Besides, this is something you can do by yourself. You just need to roll up your sleeves and get down to work.

Alternatively, use traditional ways of selling music copies at shows.

If you choose this method, have several CD-Rs, price them reasonably, then distribute them wherever you go.

Heck, I have heard about artists who started by selling their music at the trunk of their cars. It is an old way but works like a charm.

Also, check out the local music store. Make sure they have copies of your music, and if need be, a direct way to contact you in case of growing demand.

#2. Selling merchandise

This is for those artists who have established a fan base. If you have a loyal following, consider introducing personalized merchandise to your fans.

Banded merchandise is so common with musicians and bands.

Why?

Because it works.

Here is a quick way to implement this.

If you are having a show somewhere, have some merchandise printed before the show. Then set up a table at the gates showcasing your stuff.

This should generate extra income pretty easily.

The secret here is to offer the merchandise up for sale AFTER the show.

This is when the fans are all hyped up and all in good spirits. Be sure to price them reasonably, and take care not to take advantage of fan loyalty.

#3. Look for gigs or live shows

Taking live show gigs is an obvious answer to the question of how to make money making music.

Truth be told, most musicians enjoy live shows. Besides the fun part, it is a perfect source of income.

However, there is one big issue.

You either book your own gigs or get booked into someone else’s sideshows. But booking your own shows also means having the ability to pull a large audience.

And if you can pull so many fans to the show, the better – it means you will earn more.

But what if you don’t have any proven record.

You are pretty green and cannot pull a crowd? How can you make money making music?

Simple.

Besides getting someone else to do the booking for you (meaning you get lower fees), concentrate on growing your influence.

How you ask.

• Use charity events to get your name out there
• Consider offering a trial run

For now, do not look at the money, set your eye in the long term view. Concentrate on building your greatness brick by brick.

One more thing:

If possible, have all the ticket sales done through your website. This gives you control and eliminates commissions you will pay to ticket vendors.

Lastly, do not let fame get into your head.

Treat every gig, no matter how ‘small’ it is as a step towards boosting your earnings as a music maker.

#4. Start a YouTube channel

This is a no-brainer.

But did you know a YT channel can earn you enough money to live your dream lifestyle?

Yes.

Look at Justin Bieber, he is a pop star now! His story can be traced back to that first video he ever uploaded to YouTube.

Isn’t YouTube so cool?

And, it is also free to use.

Forget all the connections. You don’t need godfathers rooting for you anywhere to make money making music on YouTube.

All you have to do is grab a camera, record yourself singing, creating music, or doing whatever you do with music. Finally, upload the video on YouTube.

Once you meet the requirements (4K watch hours and at least 1K subscribers), you can monetize the videos using YT’s advertising program.

Here is a little hack to earn more.

Use Content ID every time you upload your music on YouTube. This is a digital fingerprint used to identify your music wherever they are.

So if someone uses your music on their videos running ads, you get a portion of their earnings.

#5. Record labels

Getting record deals with record labels is every musician’s dream.

Though such record labels do not sign new beginners, if you can network, work hard enough, and promote yourself well, you can land that deal.

#6. Streaming

With this method, you make money every time your music is streamed.

Why should you consider streaming as a way to make money making music?

Because streaming sites have lots of fan-bases and they also pay artists.

As such, you should make sure your music is in all streaming sites.

I agree the per-stream payouts are meager. But hey, with time, this adds up to a passive income stream.

On the other hand, getting yourself on streaming platforms, shouldn’t just be about the bucks. You also make it easy for fans to discover your music.

#7. Composing or writing songs

If you adore writing songs, why not be a songwriter for other musicians?

It pays really well, and who knows, maybe the song will be a hit, and you’ll get a percentage of royalties.

Moreover, consider composing songs for movies and television companies.

This alone earns you performance royalties every time the song your composed is played.

#8. Licensing

I bet you have watched at least one movie with a soundtrack that sounded familiar.

Well, it turns out, you can license movie creators to use your music as soundtracks in their movies. They are constantly looking for fresh sounds that perfectly fit the mood of their projects.

And if you can get any of your songs in a film, commercial, or TV shows, chances are you are going to be paid a license fee.

If you decide to go this route, you’ll give these shows the rights to use your music in exchange for money.

In fact, this is a whole niche you can focus on as a way to make money making music.

You can dedicate your talent in creating soundscapes for televisions and movies.

The question is, how much can you make from this.

Well, it depends on two things:

• The budget of the project – if it is sizable, be sure you are going to bag better fees
• How bad they want your song – this comes down to laws of demand and supply. If they want it bad enough, they can write a blank cheque for it.

#9. Teach music

There are thousands of young talented musicians out there looking for someone to help them bring out that glow.

With your experience in making music, you can offer to help them chart their careers.

Depending on your skills, maybe be you make music playing instruments or singing, teach that.

Those who seriously seek to learn will always be willing to part with something in exchange for knowledge. Just make sure whatever you teach is worth the price.

Here is the best way to do this without incurring huge overheads.

• Record videos teaching the skills
• Segment it to chapters or modules
• Upload them on a central location like your own website
• Send the link or logins to those who paid for the course

Alternatively, you can be a music teacher in a local school. This works if you are looking for a full-time job and passionate about music.

#10. Build a website

To make money making music, a website will definitely come in handy. Here, blog about your journey, post about stories (the crazy, happy, and sad ones) to connect with your fans.

Have a shop section where people can buy your merchandise, music, and book you for shows.

If you are still trying to get your career off the ground, this should be your starting point. In such a case, use the website to showcase what you can do.

Have a sample of your work. And ask your clients to write a recommendation. This will work as social proof, helps a ton promoting your brand.

Wrapping up

As far as how to make money making music is concerned, you now have all the proven ideas.

Now it is your turn. Pick one and do not forget to share this guide with a friend.