Music Artist

2 Music Artist Success Stories [2024]

Updated: September 6th, 2024

Turning your musical talents into a business isn’t just a dream—it’s a strategic move. As a music artist, you’ll create, perform, and release original music, building a personal brand along the way.

This business demands more than just talent. You’ll need to manage your social media presence, book performances, and maybe even coordinate with producers and promoters. Recording your music professionally and marketing it effectively are crucial steps to stand out in a saturated market.

Interest is piqued by knowing you get to share your unique creations with the world. The demand for fresh, captivating music opens avenues for revenue through streaming, live shows, and merchandise.

If you’ve got the musical chops and a willingness to navigate the complexities of the industry, becoming a music artist can be a fulfilling, albeit challenging, business venture.

In this list, you'll find real-world music artist success stories and very profitable examples of starting a music artist that makes money.

1. Kate Brunotts ($60K/year)

Kate Brunotts, originally from Virginia, moved to NYC right after high school with $10K she saved up as a cashier. Passionate about music, she juggled jobs at a coffee shop and Guitar Center while freelancing as a beatmaker, eventually growing her income to $60K a year by leveraging Upwork and networking with local musicians.

How much money it makes: $60K/year
How much did it cost to start: $500
How many people on the team: 1

SMALLBORDER

How I Make $60K/Year As A Self-Taught Freelance Audio Producer

This case study is about Kate Brunotts, a full-time audio producer who started her own business as a beatmaker and audio engineer, making over 60K through her freelance lifestyle, attracting and retaining clients through referrals and her social media presence, and consistently growing her income and network.

Read by 1,287 founders

2. DJ Tobander ($12K/year)

DJ Tobander, a seasoned blogger, noticed that DJs were constantly asking him about his playlists for special occasions. With this insight, he created collections of DJ sets and sold the names of the songs and their order. This unique product resonated with his target audience, leading to a profitable business generating $1,000 in sales each month.

How much money it makes: $12K/year
How much did it cost to start: $50
How many people on the team: 0

How I Created Niche Infoproducts For DJs That Now Generate $1K/Month

Learn how DJ Tobander created a successful niche info-product business generating $1,000 a month through selling collections of DJ sets for special occasions and working with affiliates, with only modest costs and simple tools like WordPress, AWeber, LeadPages, and Digistore24.

Read by 7,415 founders