The True Story of How I Make $100,000/Year in the Music Business

If you've been following me for a while, you've probably read my book, "How I Make $100,000/year in the Music Business (Without a Record Label, Manager, or Booking Agent)."  If not, I suggest trying to find a copy.  It's out of print, but the methods still work and there are usually used copies available on Amazon.

When I was actively promoting this book, people would always ask me about the title.  The "$100,000year" was very enticing...

The title had nothing to do with me though.  It was about my co-author and the money he was making as a working musician.

But there is more to the story...

Although I'm known as a marketing guy, I'm also a musician.  I'm not talking about playing a few chords on guitar either. I've played since I was a kid, I studied music in college, and my degree is in music.  I was once a working musician and I still have a publishing company.

I'm just like you.  I know what it's like to want my music heard.  I know what it's like to want respect as a musician.

So why are you just now finding this out?  Because marketing is my real strength. 

I started my own direct mail business when I was a teenager.  When I was in college, the volume of mail I received was so great that I had to work out a special deal with the campus postal service, who refused to deliver the buckets of mail I'd receive to my dorm, since I was running a business via my campus address, and would make me come pick everything up at the main post office. 

Marketing is what I was born to do...not music.  But coming from the musician culture, I wanted to stick around.  I didn't want anybody thinking I was a failed musician trying to make money on others in the business though.

Being a marketing guy, I branched out to various things... Most of you know about my syndicated radio show, books like the one mentioned above, and my live "bootcamp" events to help musicians sell more music and get more people to their shows. 

But what you might not know is that I make a ton of money via licensing.

Music licensing is the licensed use of copyrighted music.  This allows companies such as those in the film/TV and video game industries to use your music in exchange for money, a licensing fee.

There is big money to be made in music licensing.  Big money.  It's not uncommon for independent artists and songwriters to get five-figures at a time.  But it can be a lot more than five-figures...

The Rolling Stones song ''(I Can't Get No) Satisfaction'' can be heard on a TV commercial for Snickers, played by studio musicians.  The candy bar has used the slogan ''Snickers Satisfies'' for years and wanted to use ''Satisfaction'' in a big way. 

How big?  Music publisher ABKCO, which owns the rights, received $4,000,000.00, of which songwriters Mick Jagger and Keith Richards got $2,800,000.00.

Not a bad day's work.

Will you make that kind of money via licensing?  I doubt it.  But as I mentioned earlier, it's not uncommon for indie musicians and songwriters to pull in five-figures at a time...and that's not bad. ;)

Ask yourself...

• Would you be happy with a five-figure licensing deal?
• What would that kind of money mean to you and your music career?

Again, this stuff isn't uncommon.  You can do this.  I know because I've done it...and continue to do it.

Your time to make this happen is now.

The opportunity to license your music to film and television companies had never been better.  The time to license your music to advertising companies has never been better.  And the video game industry brings in $18 BILLION per year.  How much of that goes to licensing music?  Plenty.

I'm going to show you how to do this...free.

Over the new few weeks, I'll be posting a series of videos, audios, and other information on how you can make a killing with music licensing.  Along the way, you'll have the opportunity to ask questions and even email me directly.

By the time we're done, you'll have everything you need to know. :)

Again, this is free...a gift from me to you. 

To get started, I need you to do two things:

1. Subscribe to my feed. It's free and this will make sure you're instantly updated when I post a new video or other information on licensing music.

2. Sign up for email updates.  Not everything will be posted here. 

Why?  First of all, I want to keep this information exclusive to the people who really want it. 

And secondly, I've got some contact info for you, which will put you directly in touch with people who are looking for new music.  Can't post that on a public website. :)

Input your name and primary email address below.  That way you'll be sure to stay on top of everything I release.

NOTE: You can unsubscribe from this list at any time, with a simple click. :)

   

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That's it!  Looking forward to talking more with you about getting your music licensed to film, television, and video games soon!

Comments

[Anthony Burbidge]

Hi David,

Bless you for this!

I'm just putting the finishing touches on my new disc and will release it next month.

For years now, my audience has been telling me things like, "I can just hear this song in a movie..." and it's been my intention to explore this avenue fully once my CD is complete.

So, your timing is perfect!

Peace,

Anthony

[Happy Ron Hill]

Once again you come through with great information. Right now I'm exploring Music Libraries and have been accepted into one already and am balancing that with possibilities of publishers.

[professor]

This sounds very interesting. I can't wait. Thank you!

[Lou Lombardi]

dumb ass question here... what is a feed? I tried to subscribe but got an error message saying I was already subsribed. How do I get the feed? I don't see it in my email.

[David Hooper]

Good question about the feed. http://www.musicmarketing.com/subscribe.html has more info, which I hope you'll find helpful. If you have any questions, please let me know.

Thanks!

[Tack-Fu]

I've already placed my style of hip-hop/jazz on many cable television channels that dig that stuff since 2005. (MTV, VH1, Comedy Central, Biography, A&E...the list goes on) However, I'd really like to learn about new avenues, getting into major network placement, or even a national advertising campaign. I recieved a taste of success on a minor level, now I want step up my game!

[Layton]

I've been intending to get involve with some of your e-mails for a while now, sorry it took so long. I have published two books and have a music catalog of more than 80 songs that I mostly listen to in my car. I have published some on my website and a few other site but I haven't had a great deal of success being heard. I clearly lack the marketing skills that will get me out the unemployment line.

Thanks, keep the info coming'

"L"

[Keith Kehrer]

My interest would be in finding better ways to create residual income stream to have a more consistent income from the licensing. If you have read the 4 hour work week then you can get an idea of what I looking for. Us musicians tend to keep chasing after gigs, work for hire scoring, selling CD's, teaching etc... It would be a tremendous benefit to have a solid base income which allow you to pursue things that interest you and appeal to your creative soul. Jonathan Wolf the guy who wrote the Seinfield theme retired by the time he was in his 40's.

Keith