Are you looking for ways to make more money from your music? In this blog, we’ll give you 10 essential places to start.
Some of these steps are quicker fixes — like collecting royalties you’ve already generated. Others take more time, like building a repeatable marketing strategy. But together, they can add up to a more sustainable music career.
1. Collect all your royalties
Before you explore new income streams, make sure you’re getting paid for revenue you’re already generating.
CD Baby pays you recording royalties from streaming automatically. But there are other royalties you may be missing — like mechanical and digital performance royalties you can collect through CDB Boost or micro-sync royalties through CD Baby’s Social Video Monetization.
You should also register with a Performance Rights Organization (ASCAP, BMI, or SESAC) to collect performance royalties.
If you’re not set up across all of these, you’re leaving money on the table.
2. Create a marketing strategy
A music marketing strategy can help you maximize revenue from upcoming opportunities. When it comes to promoting new music, announcing shows, or dropping new merch – document what tactics work well and formalize them into strategies. Strong marketing strategies help you build momentum and sustain revenue.
3. Promote your catalog
Your music catalog is one of your most valuable assets. In fact, 2025 data from Luminate shows that catalog tracks (songs older than 18 months) account for a whopping 75.8% of U.S. streams. Continue promoting your catalog by playing live shows, playlisting your music, promoting music on social media, and remarketing older songs with a new music video or alternate version.
4. Boost your streams
If your streams are slowing down or only spiking around new releases, you need a stronger streaming platform strategy. Learn how to strategically reach your first 1,000 streams to discover crucial insights about your fans and marketing gaps and strengths, then channel those insights into your road to 5,000 streams.
5. Fanclubs and subscriptions
Start a fan club or subscription-based program (like Patreon) to give your top fans access to exclusive content, merch, and more. You don’t have to start monetizing a fan club right away – especially if you’re an emerging artist. Grow your community organically, then give fans more monetized ways to support you.
6. Play live
Live performances are a fast and simple way to earn more revenue. Diversify your live shows by playing a mix of ticket-share and guaranteed-pay concerts. Learn how to book shows here.
7. Sell merch
From t-shirts to stickers and key chains, artist merch is more popular than ever. Add your artist name to your merch for the additional benefit of free exposure. Learn how to create and sell merch here.
8. Sell physical releases
Latest data from the IFPI Global Music Report shows growth in physical release sales outpaced digital for only the second time on record. You can print vinyl and CDs through our partners at Disc Makers.
9. Arrange collaborations
Reach new audiences, expand your catalog, and even earn up-front revenue by collaborating with other artists. Read our guide to industry networking to learn how you can build connections and arrange fruitful collaborations.
10. Teach your craft
Teaching is a common revenue stream for musicians and the best part is you don’t need to teach full-time. Taking on a student or two part-time can pad your revenue (and help you maintain your chops).
Distribute your music with CD Baby
Ready to start earning more from your music? It all starts with getting heard.
CD Baby offers affordable pay-per-release distribution to over 150 streaming platforms around the world. Since our start in 1998, we’ve paid out over $1 billion in royalties to independent artists just like you.
Create a CD Baby account today to prepare for your next release. We’ll be there to support you from your submission to your release day and beyond.