2 answers
Grace
Student
Elk River, Minnesota
4
Questions
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How much money do recording artists make and what are their hours?
I am interested in being a recording artist and I want to know more information about it
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2 answers
Daria Mikita
55
Answers
Gdańsk, Pomeranian Voivodeship, Poland
Updated
Daria’s Answer
The amount of money recording artists make can vary significantly and depends on several factors, including their level of success, popularity, contracts, and revenue streams. Here are some key points to consider:
1. Income Sources: Recording artists typically earn money from various sources, such as record sales, streaming royalties, concert ticket sales, merchandise, endorsements, licensing deals, and publishing rights. These revenue streams can vary in terms of profitability and stability.
2. Success and Popularity: The income of recording artists often correlates with their level of success and popularity. Established and highly successful artists can earn substantial incomes, while emerging or independent artists may have more modest earnings.
3. Record Label Contracts: Artists signed to major record labels usually receive advances against future earnings, which they need to recoup through album sales and other revenue streams before earning substantial profits. The terms of record contracts can vary significantly and impact an artist's financial situation.
4. Independent Artists: Independent artists who are not signed to major labels have more control over their earnings but often have to shoulder more financial responsibilities. They may earn income directly from sales, streaming, live performances, and merchandise, but they also need to invest in their own production, promotion, and distribution.
5. Expenses and Deductions: It's important to note that recording artists have various expenses, including studio time, production costs, marketing, touring expenses, and management fees. These costs can significantly impact their net income.
Regarding hours, the schedule of recording artists can be demanding and irregular, especially during certain periods, such as when recording albums or touring. Here are some considerations:
1. Studio Sessions: Artists may spend long hours in the recording studio, especially during the album creation process. The hours can be flexible and depend on the artist's preferences, creative flow, and studio availability.
2. Touring and Performances: When artists are on tour, their schedules can be intensive and involve long days of travel, rehearsals, soundchecks, and performances. Touring can be physically and mentally demanding, requiring artists to be on the road for extended periods.
3. Promotion and Interviews: Artists often engage in promotional activities, such as interviews, radio appearances, and media campaigns, to promote their work. These activities can require additional time and flexibility in their schedules.
It's important to note that the music industry is highly competitive, and success and financial stability can vary significantly among artists. While some recording artists achieve substantial wealth and fame, many others may face financial challenges and rely on a combination of income streams to sustain their careers.
1. Income Sources: Recording artists typically earn money from various sources, such as record sales, streaming royalties, concert ticket sales, merchandise, endorsements, licensing deals, and publishing rights. These revenue streams can vary in terms of profitability and stability.
2. Success and Popularity: The income of recording artists often correlates with their level of success and popularity. Established and highly successful artists can earn substantial incomes, while emerging or independent artists may have more modest earnings.
3. Record Label Contracts: Artists signed to major record labels usually receive advances against future earnings, which they need to recoup through album sales and other revenue streams before earning substantial profits. The terms of record contracts can vary significantly and impact an artist's financial situation.
4. Independent Artists: Independent artists who are not signed to major labels have more control over their earnings but often have to shoulder more financial responsibilities. They may earn income directly from sales, streaming, live performances, and merchandise, but they also need to invest in their own production, promotion, and distribution.
5. Expenses and Deductions: It's important to note that recording artists have various expenses, including studio time, production costs, marketing, touring expenses, and management fees. These costs can significantly impact their net income.
Regarding hours, the schedule of recording artists can be demanding and irregular, especially during certain periods, such as when recording albums or touring. Here are some considerations:
1. Studio Sessions: Artists may spend long hours in the recording studio, especially during the album creation process. The hours can be flexible and depend on the artist's preferences, creative flow, and studio availability.
2. Touring and Performances: When artists are on tour, their schedules can be intensive and involve long days of travel, rehearsals, soundchecks, and performances. Touring can be physically and mentally demanding, requiring artists to be on the road for extended periods.
3. Promotion and Interviews: Artists often engage in promotional activities, such as interviews, radio appearances, and media campaigns, to promote their work. These activities can require additional time and flexibility in their schedules.
It's important to note that the music industry is highly competitive, and success and financial stability can vary significantly among artists. While some recording artists achieve substantial wealth and fame, many others may face financial challenges and rely on a combination of income streams to sustain their careers.
Paul Bordenkircher
Audio Engineer
82
Answers
Las Vegas, Nevada
Updated
Paul’s Answer
I agree with everything in Daria's answer. But (no offense, Daria), these are answers from a book. The reality is much different.
1. Only big artists are making money with their music - as in album sales or streams. Everyone else makes money through other methods - live events, merchandise, etc. Licensing CAN be an income source, but it requires proper connections into the publishing business.
2. Only REALLY big artists get album sales royalties, as in the millions in sales. Which basically don't happen anymore, because most people stream their music now. And streaming royalties are practically nonexistent, even for major artists. Meghan Trainor's song "All About That Bass" garnered 60 million streams on Spotify, and she received $1600 in royalties.
3. If you're serious about moving forward, and you actually get an opportunity at a recording contract, memorize this word: "recoupable." It means expenses the record label incurs can be paid with your royalties. This is why most artists receive NO money from their records.
4. Your best way to "make" money, is to document all your expenses, and deduct them from your taxes. You'll need to work with an accountant, but everything from recording equipment, studio time, even things like cable TV bills can be partially deductible.
5. Your best bet to make money- and grow your career - is by live performances. Open for anyone, anywhere. Play coffee houses and clubs, private parties and conventions. Get your name out as an amazing performer that delivers.
6. Develop connections. Nobody EVER does a music career alone. You need help getting gigs, helping with websites, song publishing, streaming, social media accounts, etc. Don't try to do it all yourself - something will suffer.
7. Be ready for this: You WILL be screwed over. You WILL get taken advantage of. Even if you get a break, you MAY be asked to do it for free, sign away your publishing, etc. Long-time veterans in the industry call it "taking the initial hit." It's this unwritten rule that when you get your first REAL chance at widespread success, you'll be expected to "take a hit," and effectively not get paid. It shows them you know how the game works, and you're willing to play along.
I don't make the rules: it's the established standard among the big boys. The ones that make it anticipate it, mitigate it at best, and see if you can come out of it and keep going. The ability to bounce back may be the most important skill you have.
8. GET A LAWYER. You don't have to keep them on retainer, but have someone with specific knowledge in entertainment law who can review contracts for you. And if you DO get that big break (and #7 kicks in), you'll need someone there to defend you.
I won't lie. I've been in and around the music industry for over 30 years, and I've never seen it this bad for artists. It's a REALLY rough road, especially if you intend to do it as your sole career. It will take boundless enthusiasm, and the ability to bounce back from disappointments, so mentally and emotionally prepare yourself for the road ahead.
1. Only big artists are making money with their music - as in album sales or streams. Everyone else makes money through other methods - live events, merchandise, etc. Licensing CAN be an income source, but it requires proper connections into the publishing business.
2. Only REALLY big artists get album sales royalties, as in the millions in sales. Which basically don't happen anymore, because most people stream their music now. And streaming royalties are practically nonexistent, even for major artists. Meghan Trainor's song "All About That Bass" garnered 60 million streams on Spotify, and she received $1600 in royalties.
3. If you're serious about moving forward, and you actually get an opportunity at a recording contract, memorize this word: "recoupable." It means expenses the record label incurs can be paid with your royalties. This is why most artists receive NO money from their records.
4. Your best way to "make" money, is to document all your expenses, and deduct them from your taxes. You'll need to work with an accountant, but everything from recording equipment, studio time, even things like cable TV bills can be partially deductible.
5. Your best bet to make money- and grow your career - is by live performances. Open for anyone, anywhere. Play coffee houses and clubs, private parties and conventions. Get your name out as an amazing performer that delivers.
6. Develop connections. Nobody EVER does a music career alone. You need help getting gigs, helping with websites, song publishing, streaming, social media accounts, etc. Don't try to do it all yourself - something will suffer.
7. Be ready for this: You WILL be screwed over. You WILL get taken advantage of. Even if you get a break, you MAY be asked to do it for free, sign away your publishing, etc. Long-time veterans in the industry call it "taking the initial hit." It's this unwritten rule that when you get your first REAL chance at widespread success, you'll be expected to "take a hit," and effectively not get paid. It shows them you know how the game works, and you're willing to play along.
I don't make the rules: it's the established standard among the big boys. The ones that make it anticipate it, mitigate it at best, and see if you can come out of it and keep going. The ability to bounce back may be the most important skill you have.
8. GET A LAWYER. You don't have to keep them on retainer, but have someone with specific knowledge in entertainment law who can review contracts for you. And if you DO get that big break (and #7 kicks in), you'll need someone there to defend you.
I won't lie. I've been in and around the music industry for over 30 years, and I've never seen it this bad for artists. It's a REALLY rough road, especially if you intend to do it as your sole career. It will take boundless enthusiasm, and the ability to bounce back from disappointments, so mentally and emotionally prepare yourself for the road ahead.