Are you looking for a new way to make money while pursuing your passion of making music with your band? Being part of a touring group or act can be an incredibly rewarding and fun experience, but it can be about more than just living in tiny vans and eating questionable snacks. With hard work, dedication, and today’s new technology, you can also make money off the road! So let’s explore some innovative ways you can earn tour income beyond traditional merch sales. In this article, we’ll discuss effective strategies for monetizing music tours via unique partnerships or sponsorships opportunities; leveraging digital tools; social media marketing tactics, and more – so keep reading to find out how you can start turning those tours into sources of additional income.
Make money touring with your band: proven strategies
Touring with your band is a great way to make money and build a successful music career. Touring can give you the exposure and fanbase you need to start making real money from your music. Whether you’re just starting or have been touring for years, here are some proven strategies that will help you make the most of every tour:
- Promote Your Tour: Make sure everyone knows about your tour before it starts. Use social media, email campaigns, press releases, radio interviews, etc., to get the word about when and where you’ll be performing and why fans should come to see your show.
- Offer Merchandise & VIP Experiences: Offering merchandise like t-shirts, CDs, or other souvenirs is a great way to make extra money on the road. You can also offer VIP experiences, such as meet-and-greets or exclusive soundcheck access, for fans willing to pay a premium for a unique experience.
- Play Local Venues: It’s easier (and cheaper) to book gigs in your hometown and the towns nearby. These venues will be familiar with you and your music and will usually be more willing to invest in promoting your show.
- Get Creative with Your Setlist: Keep things interesting by switching up your setlist every night. Not only will this keep you engaged while performing, but it also keeps fans coming back for more—they don’t want to hear the same songs every night!
- Network: Make contacts whenever you can—promoters, sound techs, local radio stations, other bands, etc. You never know who might be able to help you land future gigs or build your fanbase.
By following these tips and getting creative with how you promote and structure your tours, you’ll be able to make money on the road and create a successful music career.
Ways to earn extra money while you’re on tour
- Crowdfunding: Sites like Kickstarter or Indiegogo provide musicians with an opportunity to raise funds for their touring efforts through crowdfunding campaigns. Donors can be rewarded with exclusive content or special VIP experiences at your shows.
- Play small gigs: Doing small shows in between regular tour dates can help supplement your earnings from ticket sales and merchandise sales while on the road. In addition, you can look for local venues in each city you’re touring to and create an opportunity for fans in that area to experience your music.
- Busking: If you’ve got the skills, busking can be a great way to make money while on tour. All you need is a spot with lots of foot traffic, some instruments, and a sign asking for donations. You could even host mini-concerts at popular tourist spots if it’s allowed.
- Online streaming: Platforms like Twitch allow musicians to stream live shows from their tour stops, giving fans who couldn’t attend access to their performance and generating extra income in the process. You can also create exclusive content that can only be accessed by those who pay for it.
- Offering lessons: If you’re an experienced musician, another way to make money on tour is by offering music lessons. You can set up workshops in each city and teach people how to play instruments or even provide vocal coaching. This could be a great way to connect with fans while earning extra cash!
- Promote products: Companies often look for influencers who can reach a wide audience, so if you have a big enough fan base, you can use your social media accounts to promote products in exchange for payment. Just be sure that whatever product or service you are promoting aligns with your values as an artist and resonates with your fans too!
- Rent out your equipment: If you have music gear that’s in good condition, consider renting it out to other musicians while on tour. You can look for local venues and connect with them to see if they need any extra equipment for their shows. This is a great way to make extra money without having to do too much work!
- Offer online courses: If you’re looking for a steady stream of income, then creating an online course about music could be the perfect solution. Not only will this help you earn extra money while on tour, but it will also create an opportunity for aspiring musicians to learn from your experience.