Independent Artists

Indie Artists and How They Earn Money From Their Music

Signing under a non-major label is one of the signs that make an artist an independent one. He exudes autonomy over his music and other creations. The difference between artists signed under major labels and those signed under independent labels is obvious. Major label artists are bound by their contract to create music within a certain period of time, under a certain category or genre. Independent artists have the freedom to create what music they want to make and when they want to create it. Of course, there will be an effect to their earnings if they create less music at a time. Independent artists are the ones who decide the type of music they want to produce, without being bound by restrictions in the contract. This fact makes signing under an independent label appealing to artists.

There are also those artists who work under indie labels as a first step before going major. Since it is not easy to enter the music industry, having experience and being established is one of the goals of these artists. Most of the time, major labels look for potential artists by checking the current indie music scene.

Another aspect of the business of being an independent artist is the finances. Compared to major labels, independent labels allot fewer budgets for marketing or the advertising of the songs and albums of the signed artist. Most of the earnings are directed towards the artist since there is substantially less volume of sales compared to artists under major labels. If an artist is signed under a major label, the profits are split several ways; hence artists only get from 10 to at most 20 percent. 

Because marketing and production costs are evidently much less than in major label, independent labels offer to give their artists from 40 up to 75 percent of the total earnings. The total earnings are derived by computing the total monetary gains minus the total expenses.

Since less money is allotted for publicity, most independent artists make their music known by “word of mouth”. They try to get as many people as they can to listen to their songs. One of the ways of doing so is during performances. Independent artists travel and perform on road shows to spread the music. These performances generate income since, most likely, they get paid. Also, they bring copies of their song or album with them so they can easily sell it once someone takes notice.

Another way is by hiring independent music promoters who offer various services. These independent music promoters utilize the internet for promoting the indie music. They employ podcasting of indie music for free. Others allow streaming of the music. This way, the artist and the music is publicized, attracting more listeners, fans and buyers.

Independent artists can also earn by joining online independent music merchants. They can simply join and upload their music on the web. They have the power to set the price of their songs and albums. Anybody can purchase and download the indie music they choose. These merchants help indie artists by featuring artists, announcing their performance schedules and broadcasting new information or new creations by the artists.