How to Monetize a Music Blog and Harmonize with Hard Cash

Starting a music blog is exciting! There’s a lot to learn, like picking a domain name and setting up WordPress. But once you've got the basics down, it’s time to make some money from your passion.

Trust me, this will be the most enjoyable part of your blogging journey.

Whether you’re just starting out or have been in the game for a while, these monetization strategies will help you turn your hobby into a real income source. Let’s dive into the details!

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 blogging about music, there are tons of affiliate products you can recommend. Here’s a quick rundown of some great options:

• Music Lessons: Affiliate programs for online music lessons allow readers to learn instruments or vocal techniques from home.
• Music Gear: Promote instruments, headphones, or recording equipment. Musicians are always in need of quality gear!
• Streaming Services: Recommend subscription-based platforms like Spotify or Apple Music. Everyone loves discovering new tunes.
• Concert Tickets: Partner with ticket sales sites. Fans are constantly looking for live show tickets.
• Music Software: Endorse audio editing software or music production tools. Perfect for aspiring producers.
• Merchandise: Help bands sell their merch. From T-shirts to vinyl, fans enjoy showcasing their favorite artists.
• Courses and Ebooks: Share affiliate links to materials that enhance music knowledge or skills. Useful for all, from beginners to pros!

Here’s why these products work well:

• Niche-specific: These products appeal directly to your target audience—music lovers & creators.
• High demand: The music industry is thriving. There’s always a market for new tools and experiences.
• Diverse options: From gear to lessons, you can cater to different interests within the music community.
• Potential for recurring income: Services like music streaming often have subscription models, providing a steady stream of income.
• Built-in passion: Music fans are typically enthusiastic about their interests—making them more likely to purchase through your recommendations.

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 game changer for music bloggers. On the bright side, it offers the chance to monetize your passion. You can earn money by simply recommending products or services you genuinely like. This way, you align your content with your brand, making it feel authentic to your audience.

However, there are some downsides to watch out for. Earnings can be unpredictable, and building a loyal audience takes time. Plus, if you're not transparent about your partnerships, you might lose the trust of your readers. It’s crucial to maintain a balance between promoting products and delivering valuable content.

Another point to consider is the competition. The music niche is crowded, and standing out can be tough. You'll need to pick affiliate programs that resonate with your niche audience. Doing thorough research will help you choose the best partners to collaborate with, maximizing your earning potential.

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 useful way for music bloggers to monetize their platforms. One major pro is that they are visually engaging. A strong banner ad can grab attention quickly and attract curious visitors. This is particularly effective in the music niche where vibrant visuals are key.

On the downside, display ads can sometimes irritate readers, especially if they flood a blog. Too many ads can lead to a poor user experience, pushing readers away. Users might also use ad blockers, which can cut into potential revenue.

Another advantage is that display ads offer flexible monetization options. Bloggers can choose when and where to show ads, tailoring placements for better engagement. However, it’s essential to balance this with quality content to keep the audience invested.

In terms of revenue, display ads can provide passive income. Once set up, they can generate earnings while you focus on creating content. But the income potential varies dramatically based on traffic, so it’s critical for bloggers to focus on building an audience first.

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.

Here’s a quick list of digital products that can boost your music blog:

• Music E-books: Write and sell guides on music theory, songwriting, or industry tips. They're perfect for budding musicians.
• Online Courses: Offer video lessons on instruments, production techniques, or marketing for musicians. People love learning at their own pace.
• Sample Packs: Create and sell audio samples, loops, and sound kits. Producers are always searching for unique sounds to use in their projects.
• Exclusive Tracks: Sell downloadable music tracks or albums not available elsewhere. Fans appreciate exclusivity and supporting their favorite artists.
• Merchandise: Design digital merchandise like wallpapers, stickers, or digital art related to music themes. It’s a fun way to engage fans visually.

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

Selling digital products can be a great way for music bloggers to generate extra income. You have low overhead costs since there’s no need for physical inventory. Plus, once you create a product, it can sell multiple times without any additional effort. This passive income model is appealing and can really add to your revenue stream.

However, there are some downsides to consider. Competition is fierce in the digital marketplace. You need to stand out with unique, high-quality offerings. Also, creating digital products takes time and effort upfront, which can be challenging to balance with regular blogging duties.

Marketing your digital goods is another hurdle. You can have the best product in the world, but without effective marketing, it won't sell. Building an audience and generating traffic to your sales page requires consistent effort and strategy.

Finally, customer support is a factor that can’t be ignored. If your product has issues or your customers have questions, you’ll need to be ready to assist them. Keeping your audience satisfied is key to repeat sales, but it can be time-consuming.

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

Email newsletters are a fantastic way for music bloggers to connect directly with their audience. They allow you to share exclusive content, promote products, and curate playlists—all while pushing traffic back to your blog. Plus, building a loyal subscriber list means you're holding onto an audience that trusts your recommendations. This trust is gold when it comes to monetizing your blog.

The first step is to create a subscription option on your blog. Prominently place sign-up forms, possibly offering a freebie like a curated playlist or an e-book of exclusive interviews. By doing so, you can attract readers who are eager for more. Once you have a solid list, make sure to engage with your subscribers regularly by delivering valuable content, concert alerts, or behind-the-scenes info on artists.

Next, concentrate on incorporating affiliate marketing into your newsletter. Share links to music-related items such as concert tickets, albums, or merch. When your readers purchase through your links, you earn a commission. This model works well because readers trust your insights about the music they love. Plus, you can include sponsored content, where companies pay you to feature their products or services, like music streaming platforms or local concert venues.

Lastly, you can offer exclusive subscriber-only content, such as interviews with musicians, advanced ticket sales, or even giveaways. This incentivizes people to sign up and stay engaged. By nurturing this community, you’re not only providing unique value but also increasing your monetization potential as your subscribers feel they get a lot for their money.

Pros and Cons of Email Marketing for Music Bloggers

• Pros:
  • Direct Engagement: You reach your audience directly in their inbox, minimizing noise from social media.
  • High ROI: Email marketing typically yields a higher return on investment compared to other channels.
  • Targeted Content: Segment your list based on interests, leading to better engagement rates.
• Cons:
  • Time-Consuming: Regularly creating valuable content can be exhausting.
  • Building a List Takes Time: You won’t see immediate results; growing a solid subscriber base takes patience.
  • Risk of Unsubscribes: If your content doesn’t meet expectations, subscribers may opt-out.

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 as a music blogger, there are notable pros and cons to consider. On the plus side, you can leverage your expertise in music trends and audience engagement. This can create a strong personal brand, attracting clients who need your insights on content strategy or industry connections.

However, there's a downside as well. Consulting takes time and effort, which might divert you from your core blogging activities. Additionally, setting up a consulting service requires effective marketing skills and a solid understanding of pricing strategies to ensure you’re compensated fairly.

Moreover, the competition can be stiff. Many bloggers are branching out into consulting, making it essential to distinguish your offerings. You'll need to carve out a niche to stand out, but doing so can be challenging in a crowded market.

Lastly, client management can be unpredictable. Relying on consulting income might feel risky without a stable client base. Overall, while the potential rewards are enticing, weighing these factors will help you make an informed decision.

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

Congratulations! You’ve learned all the different ways to monetize your music blog. But before you go, here’s one last bonus tip:

Use multiple monetization methods!

Mixing up your income streams is key to securing your blog’s future. Whether it’s affiliate promotions, display ads, or selling your own music-related products, variety is your friend. If one way takes a hit—like if Amazon lowers its commission rates—you'll still have other options.

With this smart strategy, along with some hard work and planning, you'll be well on your way to maximizing your earnings. Your music blog has great potential, so go make it happen!

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.