One of the questions I am most often asked is, how can I make a living with my music? The most obvious answer is "charge for your services" if you don't already, but it goes deeper than that - you have to have a business mindset if you want to make money. If you're only interested in doing it for fun, and don't want to make it a business, don't expect to make much money.

What Do You Really Want

Making a living in music can be much harder than getting a job. You may work three times as hard and get paid half as much. Most artists create because they are compelled to. An inner driving force, perhaps a need to feel understood or to communicate, drives them crazy until they express themselves truly, and then they can relax, set free from their inner turmoil until it strikes again, usually within a day or two. Others create for fun, but if they have the talent, are just as likely to make it as anyone else.

But when you think about making it, where do you want to go? Life can be like a rat race, people rushing everywhere, but not really getting anywhere. Forget the hype, the 'buying a lottery ticket' mentality, and get to work and build a real business. Where do you want to go? You will have to create a road map, a business plan, and carry it out step by step.

What Do You Have To Give

If you already have a product or service that is competitive on a level with other pros in your area, you may be set to go and just have to sort out the business aspect. But if your skills don't rival or at least come close to the pro guys in your field, then you'll have to work on what you have to give. You may need some more practice, education or training, or time to work out what you will give. The only ways to make money are to offer a product or service that people are willing to pay for, and then getting to work, getting gigs and doing a great job of it.

When I first became interested in studio engineering, not even smaller studios would let me volunteer. But when I went to school to study producing engineering, I had studios fighting over me, and was not willing to work for any of them unless I got what I wanted. So education and skills, talent and experience can make a huge difference in what people are willing to pay you or what they think you are worth.

Do some research. Find out what pro people are doing and what it will take for you to be as good as or better than they are. Also teach yourself business and get all the training you require, because knowledge is power: it will keep you in business, and business savvy separates the pros from the rest.

Do The Math

Figure out specifically how much money you need to make, and break it down into exactly how you will do it. Aim high - most things take twice as long and cost twice as much as people expect to get off the ground. Also, if you are paid well, you are more likely to stick through the tough times and want to go to work, than if you are paid poorly. And you will take more pride in your work, which will show and will ultimately lead to people having confidence in you, and hiring you for better jobs. So be about your best business possible. And if you do the math and do exactly what you said you would do, you will most likely come close to the target you aim for. (You can adjust your strategy if you need to as you go along. And if you find you're not self-motivated, and if you don't stick to your goals, maybe business isn't the best way for you to make your living, but keeping a part time job on the side will ensure you always have an income.) So be reasonable, but aim for what you want to hit and find a way to get yourself there.

Don't forget to count the cost, because there is give and take in every situation. If you have a family, maybe being a pro full time DJ is not the best job for you, because it will affect the rest of your life. There are other options, part time work and part time DJing, branching out in the field, maybe doing studio work as a business or for other companies. Most people are surprised how many different skills they have to offer if they take the time to brainstorm all the things they could do for money, and with a bit more knowledge or experience, can turn their skills into reasonable business. Build a career that will work for you.

Try It Out

Once you feel your product or service is ready for market, then do a few test jobs first - whether that's DJing for your friend's house party before you hit the clubs, or producing a few demos for local artists for free before you start charging for your studio services. When you're comfortable with your skills and feel you can hold your own, then take the next step - and get the word out.

Market Yourself

One of the best ways to market yourself is to do one gig, and do such a good job of it that you get repeat (paid) gigs and constant referrals through word of mouth. If you can create a demand for your services, your phone will always be ringing off the hook, and you won't need to go out in search of work, it will come looking for you, and you will be able to choose which gigs you want to take.

But if you're not there yet, you will need to get out and do some networking or advertising, to let people know what you have to offer. Get a business card, run a few ads if you need to, get out and show up where the other pros or potential clients in your field hang out and start building your name and reputation, getting work, and building your business. Often you get what you ask for, so name your price and give them their money's worth. Be reasonable, and do a good job, so that people will recommend your services to others.

Repeats & Referrals (Getting More Work)

Once you have a steady stream of clients coming in, you can hold off on your marketing until things start to lag, and pick up the marketing again. Some businesses have up and down times, or seasons, others are nonstop work and you have to force yourself to take days off. When it comes down to it, your original business and marketing plan, as you stick to it and adjust it as you need to, will be your essential guide to keep you on track, going in the right direction, and in business for a long time.

The Big Picture, The Future, Your Options

The more education and experience you have, the more prepared you are to do business. Keep in mind the overall picture of what you want your business to be, and what you want your life to be. Perspective is invaluable. Often creativity and flexibility can solve a lot of problems. Don't have unrealistic expectations of yourself or your life, but build something attainable, enjoyable, and with potential to last or change with time. If you know what your options are, you're more likely to stay in business longer.

Don't be afraid to dream and be creative, but when it comes down to it, build a future for yourself that you know you can do. Some people prefer to work full or part time and do their music on the side. Others make it their full time business, or build a business out of a variety of skills that may involve performing, recordings, studio work, teaching, and any other combination of skills. Some build two simultaneous careers, in the same or in different fields, so that when one job doesn't pay the rent, the other will. That can take the stress out of life if you get less work one month than you were expecting, or if a project goes overtime but doesn't pay more.

Ultimately, it's your life, and what you do with it is up to you. No one is going to hold your hand and make your living for you. So figure out what you want to do, and go do it. If things don't work out how you plan, at least know what your options are. Also, you may find that you don't enjoy making music for money, but would rather do it as a hobby only, which frees you up to explore other options for making money. And there's no shame in having more than one simultaneous career. Lots of famous artists have had other careers and jobs that they took just as much pride in as in their art, and some have had more money and more comfortable lives for it. Always enjoy your work as much as you can, but the reality is, once you do music for a living it becomes just like any other job. You may as well work in a job you love, no matter what you decide to do in life, and you'll probably work several careers throughout the course of your life anyways. So enjoy what you do, be yourself, be real, have fun and do your best. Stick to your true ideals in life no matter where you go and what you do, and you'll be happy. See you out there.