If your biggest dream is to become a success in the hip hop music industry, you will face the task of balancing your music and your bank account at the same time. It's in your best interest to spend as much time as possible creating music, but if you live in the real world, you have to have a job.
Let's take a look at the common trends in making money as an artist in the hip hop community. First, you have CD sales, but with the introduction of companies like iTunes, CD sales have never been lower. Then there's always touring and the merchandise that can be sold on tours. And, of course, there are publishing royalties and performance royalties if your song gets played on the radio.
But let's face it, if you don't ALREADY have the exposure and the funds to go on tour, you can't expect to make any money with these “tried and true” methods. If no one knows who you are, nobody is going to buy your CD. Nobody is going to know about your concert. Nobody will feel cool wearing your T-shirt.
A change has occurred in the music industry, and it matters to artists on the rise and also those who have already been successful. People are looking to the internet for music.
They want music, they look on the internet. They want to see who's popular, they hit up the internet. They want to buy a T-shirt for their sister's favorite artist, they can always find it on the internet. If you, as an artist, don't exist on the internet, if you don't have your own website where people can download your latest song, read your blog and purchase your merchandise, you might as well not exist at all.
The benefit of this change to new Hip Hop artists is that it has made it a lot easier and cheaper for someone to make money while still focusing on the business of music.
You need to make an album? It could cost upwards of $7,000 to hire a team of mix engineers and producers! The most cost-and-time-effective way to create your sound is to purchase Hip Hop instrumentals from a non-exclusive beat site. You can buy hip hop music with 100% radio quality beats for about $20 per track at www.makeyourhit.com, and the service includes additional production assistance after the tracks have been recorded.
You need to make a video? You don't need to hire a producer and a cameraman and sign your check (and creative control) away to a group of business executives – you can create your own video and air it on YouTube! Myspace, Facebook, Twitter, and other social network sites are also available for you to gain exposure, all for free.
Once you have your own website, you can set up a free PayPal account and make your music available for download. After that, the networking options are endless. You could rent out ad space on your website, or get involved in affiliate marketing. If you can create enough exposure, your website will soon become a self-reliant, money-making machine – and that way you can focus on making the music happen your way.
