How to Monetize a Music Blog and Harmonize with Hard Cash

When you kick off your music blog, there's a lot on your plate: picking a domain, setting up WordPress, writing posts, and getting it all out there. But once you nail the basics, it’s time to dive into how to make some money with your passion.

This is where the real fun begins! Whether you’re just starting out or you’ve been a music enthusiast for a while, these ways to monetize your blog can help you take it to the next level and maybe even turn it into a full-time gig.

Let’s break down each method and see how you can start cashing in on your love for music!

1. Affiliate Marketing

Affiliate marketing is the best monetization method for music bloggers because it hits the sweet spot between time investment and earning potential.

Affiliate marketing is a form of advertising where a publisher (the site owner) links to a product in their content and earns a commission from the advertiser (the affiliate program) if readers click on that link and make a purchase.

Also, since you can add links to your existing content, it’s the perfect method for beginners. You’ve already written content, so you’ve already done the hard part.

How to Start Affiliate Marketing for Music Bloggers

When diving into the music blogging niche, you have a wealth of affiliate product options. These products can help you generate revenue while providing value to your audience. Here are some types of affiliate products to consider:

• Music Software: Programs like DAWs (Digital Audio Workstations) and plugins that musicians use to create and edit music.
• Instrument Sales: Affiliate programs from retailers selling guitars, keyboards, and other musical instruments.
• Online Courses: Courses teaching music theory, instrument tutorials, or production techniques that can help your readers improve their skills.
• Music Gear: Heads and microphones, headphones, and other equipment that aspiring musicians need.
• Concert Tickets: Affiliate links for music events and concerts that your audiophile readers would want to attend.
• Merchandise: Apparel and other branded items from popular bands and artists.
• Streaming Services: Promote subscription-based music streaming platforms offering trials for new users.

• Built-in audiences: Music fans are always looking for the next item to enhance their experience.
• High conversion rates: People love discovering new tools and resources related to music.
• Diverse niches: Catering to various genres and interests allows for a broad range of products.
• Recurring income: Encourage readers to subscribe to services that offer monthly commissions.
• Enthusiastic community: Music lovers often share and promote favorite products, boosting exposure.

Once you’ve identified which products will solve problems for your readers, you need to sign up for their affiliate programs.

You should start by joining the Amazon Associates affiliate program.

Most physical products in the music niche will be available on Amazon, and the conversion rate on Amazon is insane.

Yes, Amazon’s commission rates are rough, and they only offer a 24-hour cookie duration, but the conversion rate makes up for it. Plus, you’re nearly guaranteed to get accepted into their program.

For products that aren’t available on Amazon, just Google “[Product] affiliate program,” and you’ll find their program’s signup page.

To save you some time, here are a few of the best affiliate networks for music bloggers:

1. StubHub

   

   Commission Rate: 9% Per Sale

   Cookie Duration: 30 Days

   StubHub is a very well-known event ticket marketplace, and that leverage helps to encourage your audience to click on your affiliate links.

2. Apple

   

   Commission Rate: 7% - 400% Per Sale

   Cookie Duration: 1 - 30 Days

   Earn commissions on qualifying Apple Music memberships as well as sales of movies, tv shows, books, audiobooks, and more.

3. zZounds

   

   Commission Rate: 6% Per Sale

   Cookie Duration: 45 Days

   With zZounds, you get More for your Music: the lowest prices AND the best service in the musical instrument and equipment business. Period.

Once you’ve been approved for the product’s affiliate program, the program will give you your affiliate link, and you can start inserting it into your content.

How To Monetize A Music Blog With Affiliate Marketing

To add your link to your content, go to your post editor, highlight the relevant text, and insert the link.

Here are a few best practices for adding affiliate links to your WordPress blog:

• Add links where it’s helpful. Adding too many links to your blog posts is just like adding too many ads; it’s annoying. Add links to product titles, images, CTA buttons, and the first time you mention a product. That’s plenty.
• Disclose your links. Every blog post with affiliate links should have a disclaimer at the beginning, and every CTA or product image should also.
• Use direct sales language. When you are writing your call to action, be direct. It’s not rude to say, “Check the price” or “Buy this product today.” Being too passive makes you look unconfident.

Or, take it a step further by creating product displays.

You Can Double Your Affiliate Sales With Lasso Displays

You can create displays manually using the post editor to add links to images and buttons.

However, it can be time-consuming to create these displays and keep them updated if you’re doing it all by hand.

Luckily, monetizing your blog with affiliate links is simplified when you’re using a tool like Lasso.

Lasso makes it super easy to add links and product displays to your posts. You can add product displays to posts right from the post editor; no coding is required. It’s as simple as clicking your mouse three times.

You can also automatically import product info from retailers like Amazon. Just paste the link into the Lasso dashboard, and Lasso will populate the display with the product title, image, and price.

With all of this, remember to follow the guidelines in the affiliate program’s terms and conditions. Amazon, in particular, is pretty stringent.

But everything Lasso does is compliant with Amazon Associates’ TOS, so you never have to worry about being booted from the program.

That’s just scratching the surface of what Lasso can do to help you monetize your music blog. If you’re ready to start making a serious affiliate income from your music site, sign up for Lasso today.

Affiliate Marketing Pros and Cons for Music Bloggers

Affiliate marketing can be a great way for music bloggers to monetize their passion. You can find a range of affiliate programs tailored to music products, from instruments to streaming services. This allows you to recommend products that resonate with your audience. When those products get purchased through your links, you earn a commission. Simple as that!

However, it's not all smooth sailing. One downside is that it often takes time to build trust with your readers. If your audience feels like you’re pushing sales over genuine content, they might disengage. Plus, if the products you promote don't align with your brand or niche, it can dilute your message.

Another con is the unpredictability of income. Monthly earnings can fluctuate drastically depending on sales. A great post might not always lead to conversions. So, while affiliate marketing can boost your income, it can also create financial uncertainty for music bloggers. It’s essential to balance content creation with affiliate links thoughtfully.

2. Display Ads

The second best way to monetize your music blog is with display ads. Ads are the internet's favorite monetization method, but they have severe drawbacks.

How to Monetize a Music Blog With Display Ads

Monetizing a music blog with display ads couldn’t be easier.

First, choose an ad network to join. Networks have traffic requirements, so here are the best ad networks to join based on your site’s page views:

• 100,000+ Visitors per month - Raptive
• 50,000+ Sessions per month - Mediavine
• < 50,000+ Visitors per month - Ezoic

Once you’re accepted to an ad network, follow their instructions to integrate their ads into your site. They will have documentation for every type of content management service (WordPress, Joomla, Ghost, etc.).

If your chosen ad network has a dedicated accounts manager, they will guide you through getting their ads on your site.

And… that’s it. Let the ads run and wait for your deposits to hit your account.

Display Ad Pros And Cons For Music Bloggers

Display ads can be a mixed bag for music bloggers. On the plus side, they offer a reliable stream of income. If you have decent traffic, even a few ads can add up. They’re also easy to set up—most ad networks do the heavy lifting for you.

However, there are downsides. Ads can interrupt the flow of your content. This may turn off some readers who just want to enjoy your music insights. Plus, not all ad placements are effective. You might end up with clicks but no conversions, meaning no profit.

User experience is key in any blog, especially for music lovers prone to distraction. If your site is loaded with flashy ads, it might clutter your pages. People might bounce away quicker than they came, impacting your SEO and readership.

Lastly, depending on the ad network, you may struggle with relevance. Random ads don’t resonate with your audience's interests, and that can hurt engagement. So, it’s essential to find a balance that lets you profit while keeping your audience happy.

3. Digital Products

Selling your own digital products is a great way to increase your earnings per visitor in the music niche.

A digital product is anything you can sell on your music blog that the customer will receive via download.

Digital Products to Sell on a Music Blog:

• Sample Packs: Curated sound samples for musicians to enhance their tracks.
• Sheet Music: Original compositions or arrangements available for download.
• Music Production Courses: Online classes teaching skills in music production and sound design.
• Exclusive Interviews: In-depth conversations with artists, available as audio or video files.
• Merchandise Templates: Ready-made designs for band merchandise like T-shirts and posters.

A lot of people search for simple checklists and guides related to different topics. They’d happily pay you for them.

Pros and Cons of Selling Digital Products for Music Bloggers

When it comes to selling digital products, music bloggers have a lot to gain. For starters, low overhead costs make it affordable. No need for physical inventory or shipping logistics. You can create and sell eBooks, courses, or even exclusive music content. It’s all about leveraging your expertise.

On the flip side, competition is fierce. There are countless other bloggers and creators out there. Standing out can be tough, and it takes creative marketing strategies to reach your audience. Plus, some bloggers might not have the tech skills to set up online stores smoothly. A bit of learning is required.

Another pro is passive income. Once your digital product is live, it can generate revenue over time without constant effort. However, the initial work to create and launch it can be time-consuming. You’ll need to promote your products actively to drive traffic and sales, which takes ongoing effort.

Lastly, selling digital products allows for better engagement with your audience. It opens avenues for building community and connecting more personally with fans. But, if the product doesn’t resonate, you risk losing that connection. It's all about finding what clicks with your followers and adapting to their needs.

How To Monetize a Music Blog By Selling Digital Products

The first thing to do is create your digital product.

Look at which content your audience interacts with the most, and brainstorm digital products to help serve their search intent.

That’s what I did when I created our Ultimate Blogging Guide:

Then, create the product using whatever tools are at your disposal. For example, use Microsoft Word to create an ebook PDF, or Google Sheets to create interactive spreadsheets and checklists.

Next, you have to figure out how to distribute your product. The easiest way to distribute PDFs is by uploading them to your WordPress media library. Then you can give customers the link, and they can download the PDF from there.

Lastly, you’ll have to set up payment processing and order fulfillment. A plugin like Woocommerce can automate most of this, but you’ll have to tie it to a processor like Stripe or PayPal.

Woocommerce can even connect to an email tool like ConvertKit, so as soon as your customer finishes their checkout, they’ll get an email with a link to their download.

Barring any issues, you won’t have to do anything but watch your bank account grow.

4. Email Newsletter

One effective way to monetize a music blog is by creating an email newsletter. This method allows you to build a loyal audience and engage with your readers on a more personal level. Let's explore how to monetize a music blog with an email newsletter and the pros and cons of email marketing for music bloggers.

How to Monetize a Music Blog with an Email Newsletter

Building an email newsletter is one of the most effective ways to monetize your music blog. An email newsletter allows you to communicate directly with your audience in a personal way. You can share exclusive content, promote products, and engage your readers—all of which can help create revenue streams for your blog.

First, you'll need to grow your email list. Offer incentives like free downloads, exclusive interviews with artists, or access to special playlists in exchange for signing up. This tactic not only amplifies your reach but creates a dedicated community around your music blog. With a solid list, you can begin to share affiliate links, merchandise, or even concert ticket offers directly to your readers.

Email newsletters serve as a direct line to your most engaged followers. You can tailor your content based on your audience's interests, allowing for more targeted promotions. Regularly featured ads or sponsorships from music-related brands can also be included in your newsletters. Since music lovers often seek recommendations on gear, albums, or concert experiences, your newsletter can easily become a trusted resource that generates revenue opportunities.

Don’t forget to keep your emails engaging! Use a conversational tone, vibrant visuals, and compelling calls to action. The more your readers feel connected to your content, the more likely they are to take the next step—whether that's purchasing music-related products, attending concerts, or supporting your blog through affiliate links.

Pros and Cons of Email Marketing for Music Bloggers

• Pros:
  • Direct Engagement: Build a personal relationship with your audience.
  • Targeted Marketing: Customize content to fit specific audience interests.
  • High ROI: Email marketing often yields a better return on investment than other channels.
  • Measurable Results: Track open rates, click-throughs, and conversions to refine your strategy.
• Cons:
  • List Management: Keeping your list clean and engaged takes time and effort.
  • Design Challenges: Crafting visually appealing newsletters can be difficult without design skills.
  • Content Consistency: Requires regular and consistent communication to keep your audience engaged.
  • Spam Issues: Emails can end up in spam folders if not managed carefully.

5. Consulting and Coaching Services

Consulting or coaching is exchanging your expertise and time for a fee. Your customers need an expert, and you’ve proven yourself to be that expert.

As you become an authority in the industry, people will reach out to you with questions about topics they consider you an expert in.

Now, you don’t have to charge for being helpful, but you should place a dollar value on your time.

As a music blogger, you extensive knowledge of the industry. If a reader reaches out to you asking for help, you should get paid for that effort.

How To Monetize A Music Blog With Consulting Services

Monetizing a music blog with consulting services is similar to selling sponsored posts.

Put a “Coaching” option in your nav bar that goes to a landing page outlining your consulting services and your hourly rate. This will help head off some of the people looking for free advice.

Then, wait for requests to come in, evaluate them, and propose your offer. If the customer accepts, send them an invoice using PayPal or another payment processor, and schedule the call.

Pros and Cons of Selling Consulting Services for Music Bloggers

When it comes to selling consulting services for music bloggers, there are definite upsides. For starters, you have the chance to share your expertise and help others navigate the music industry. Bloggers are always looking for ways to stand out and get noticed. Your insight can guide them in finding their unique voice and understanding their audience.

On the downside, creating and marketing your consulting services can be tough. It requires a strong personal brand and a clear strategy. If you don’t already have a loyal following or an established reputation, it might be hard to get traction. Plus, pricing your services can be tricky; you want to be fair but also reflect your worth.

Another pro is the flexibility it offers. You can set your hours and choose how many clients to take on. This means you can tailor your services to different niches. However, managing multiple clients can lead to burnout if you’re not careful. Balance is key to avoiding overwhelm.

Lastly, the consulting world tends to be competitive. Many are trying to carve out their niche, so you’ll need to differentiate yourself. But if you find your sweet spot, there’s a lot of potential for growth and income. Just make sure you’re ready for the hustle that comes with it!

Music Blog Monetization FAQs

What Is The Best Way To Make Money From Music Blogging?

If you want to build a successful music blog, then affiliate marketing is the best way to monetize it. It’s the least intrusive way to make a lot of money from your site without much extra effort.

Can I Make A Full-Time Income From Music Blogging?

Absolutely! Some music blogs, like Rolling Stone and Consequence get hundreds of thousands of monthly visitors. That’s enough for a full-time income for a small team of people.

How Do I Start a Music Blog?

Learning how to start a music blog is the first best way to use your expertise to start an online business.

You need to register a domain, install WordPress, and publish great content. It's a lot of work, but totally worth it!

How Do Music Bloggers Get Paid?

Most music bloggers make money through affiliate commissions and advertising fees. Both of these monetization methods pay out one or two months after the fees have been generated.

Some music bloggers also sell sponsored posts, consulting services, or their own products. In these cases, a payment processor like PayPal or Stripe is necessary.

Is Music Blogging Easy?

Nothing worth doing is truly easy, but that doesn’t mean music blogging isn’t fun.

As a music blogger, you’ll get to go places, try new things, and meet new people. And it will be part of your business! What could be cooler than that?

Is It Worth Starting A Music Blog?

It’s absolutely worth it to start a music blog. Not only can you make a living from it, but you can also build a community and control the conversation.

Once you’re an established authority, people in music-related industries will take you seriously.

Final Thoughts on Monetizing a Music Blog

Now that you've learned a bunch of ways to monetize your music blog, here's one last tip:

Mix it up with different monetization methods!

Diversifying your income streams is crucial for your blog's success.

If you rely on just one method, like affiliate offers or ads, you could be in trouble if those rates suddenly drop.

By using multiple strategies, you’ll build a stronger foundation for your business.

With hard work and smart planning, you’ll be well on your way to making the most of your music blog!

Why You Should Trust Our Music Blogging Content

You may be thinking, "that's all great, but what does Lasso know about music blogging?"

Quite a lot, actually.

Here's why you can trust our process for building a successful music blog:

We've Built Wildly Successful Blogs

Lasso is built for affiliate marketers, by affiliate marketers. We're not gurus; we've walked the walk.

Our team members have built multiple blogs from the ground up, some of them earning over seven figures in revenue.

We put that experience into every guide we write, so you can trust we're giving you a process that works.

We Talk To Music Bloggers Every Day

Lasso's WordPress plugin is installed on over 8,000 websites, including a lot of music blogs.

Our team supports those bloggers every day as they create awesome content and earn lots of money.

These communications give us a bird's-eye view of what's new in the music industry. We take that information and use it to keep these guides as up-to-date and accurate as possible.

We're Super Nerds

We've put a lot of company focus into learning everything we can about blogging, affiliate marketing, SEO, and anything to do with online entrepreneurship.

We attend conferences, collect high-level contacts, read tons of books, and distill all of that information into our content. We pass information onto you that was previously only available to industry insiders.