As a musician, there are many ways to earn stable income aside from just the music you create. You can get your songs distributed to major streaming platforms like Spotify or Apple Music. There are online beat selling marketplaces for you to sell beats to rappers. Sync Licensing and selling sample and loop packs are also major revenue streams for independent musicians. No matter what type of musician you are (beatmaker, music producer, artist or band) you can tap into these revenue streams. Another (and often overlooked) income stream is leveraging one of the top affiliate marketing programs for independent musicians.
Affiliate Marketing is a type of performance-based marketing in which a business (e.g. Ditto Music) rewards you for bringing in new customers through your own marketing efforts. If you enjoy using these platforms and services, why not promote them across your own website, blog, or social networks, and earn some passive income in the process? Some music influencers are making full-time income on just affiliate marketing alone.
There are even some savvy musicians, who aren’t capable writers, that will hire copywriters from Fiverr to create content to share on their own website or blogging platforms like Medium. A single article that may cost you $5 to $10 for a copywriter can earn over $5,000 over the course of a single year, if done correctly. As long as you’re promoting products and services that you truly stand by, you can be extremely successful in earning income as an affiliate marketer.
These are the top affiliate marketing programs for musicians.
Why it's great: Ditto Music is the top platform for independent musicians to distribute their music to platforms like Spotify, Apple Music and social networks like TikTok. And their affiliate program is equally appealing for musicians. They boast a very generous cookie duration of 30 days, so if you send someone to their site and they convert into a subscriber within that time window you can earn up to £20 for every referral.
Earning potential: £10-£20 per refferal
Fiverr
Why it's great: Many independent musicians are frequenting Fiverr for the freelance services of graphic designers for their album artwork or other promotional materials. There are even a ton of independent musicians who are leveraging the platform to sell their own services like Mixing and Mastering, or being a session musician for a someone else's projects. Now is your opportunity to promote these excellent services you're utilizing or even your own and earn a commission!
Earning potential: $10-$150 per referral. 30-day cookie window. Fiverr offers a many different ways for affiliate marketers to earn. Get paid when someone registers and orders a new gig, or on a revenue share plan.
Why it's great: Prime Loops is a leading sample and loop pack label providing music producers and beatmakers quality samples and loops. As someone who personally is using packs constructed by Prime Loops, I now have the ability to promote my favorite packs and earn a commission from it. It's a win-win situation for anyone who is leveraging their extensive library of loops and quality content.
Earning potential: 20% per referral sale. Generous 14-day cookie window.
Why it's great: Innovative samples and loops, plugins (like Babylon and Vocal Cleaner), templates and courses. Yeah, W. A. Production is a music producer and beatmakers dream resource. Now you can promote the plugins and sounds you're using while earning a massive profit.
Earning potential: 25% per referral sale. You also get a $20 bonus just for signing up!
Why it's great: DistroKid is one of the most used digital distribution platforms for independent musicians. Their subscription model allows indie artists and bands to uploaded unlimited releases throughout the year for only $19.99. As a subscriber, you have the ability to refer people to the platform and earn a nice commission. As this is only available to subscribers, leverage my link and get a 7% discount on your initial years subscription to the platform.
Earning potential: $5 per referral.
Why it's great: Three awesome marketplaces and platforms rolled into one amazing affiliate marketing program? Count me in. Loopmasters is a leading marketplace for sample and loop packs while Pluginboutique leads in the realm of audio plugin marketplaces. Loopcloud is the innovative platform that brings all your samples and loops to life. It's an absolute pleasure to promote the innovative and inspiring products that are included in these fine platforms.
Earning potential: Loopmasters: 20% on referral sales; Pluginboutique: 15% on referral sales; Loopcloud: £0.20 per click.
Printful
Why it's great: Selling merchandise is one of the main revenue streams for any musician. Printful allows musicians to create & sell their own custom design products online with print-on-demand dropshipping. It's free to start selling custom products under their own brand without inventory. Just keep the profits. Printful also seamlessly integrates into all major e-commerce platforms making it a breeze for musicians to sell Merch. It's easily the number one way for any musician to sell merchandise.
Earning potential: 10% of each referrals sales for the first 9 months of their store being opened.
Amazon
Why it's great: Why not tap into the leading online marketplace and promote the products you are using to create music and earn a commission. Amazon Associates is one of the most user-friendly affiliate marketing platforms there is and the wide variety of products makes it super easy to promote them. Scroll to the footer of the page under "Make Money with Us" and click on "Become an Affiliate" to get started.
Earning potential: Up to 10% per referral sale
Why it's great: Songtradr is a leading sync licensing music library. Millions of musicians access the platform to source television and film placement opportunities on the regular. You can also leverage their platform to distribute your music to major streaming platforms while retaining 100% of your royalties. There referral program requires you are a Pro user which is $49.99, but if you register through this link, you'll get $10 off that price.
Earning potential: $10 per referral sale
Why it's great: Many independent musicians leverage eBay to sell their old instruments and gear, or look to buy new gear at affordable prices. By signing up for the eBay Partner Network, eBay's in-house affiliate marketing program, you can offset seller fees, diversify your revenue streams, and increase your overall earning potential.
Earning potential: 1-4% per referral sale.
Musicians can earn big with affiliate marketing
Leveraging one of the top affiliate marketing programs for musicians is a great way to earn passive income. It’s also fun to partner with some of your favorite brands and promote their products and services. Earning from that is the cherry on top. Be authentic and creative, like you are with your music. You can even leverage the top brand building tools for independent musicians to help with your efforts.
