An Introduction to Creating and Selling Custom Music Tracks
Are you an aspiring musician looking for a way to put your skills to work? With the advancement of technology, it’s easier than ever to create and sell custom music tracks. In this guide, we’re going to look at how you can tap into a growing market and turn your passion for music into a profitable side gig or even a full-time career.
This guide will cover four major steps, each utilizing a different platform. We’ll start by generating high-quality music tracks on AIVA, a platform that lets you design unique music through artificial intelligence. Then, we’ll bring our audio to life by editing and enhancing our tracks using Audacity, a free, open-source audio software.
Next, we’ll take you through the process of sharing your music on Soundcloud, one of the largest music and podcast streaming platforms in the world. Lastly, we’ll show you how to sell your music composition services on Fiverr.
Ready to get started? Let’s make some music!
Table of Contents
How to Create and Sell Custom Music Tracks Using AIVA, Audacity, SoundCloud, and Fiverr
Step 1: Generate High-Quality Music Tracks with AIVA
- Sign Up for AIVA: Visit AIVA’s website and create a free account. AIVA offers a free plan to get you started.
- Create a New Project: Once logged in, click on “Create New Track” and choose your preferred genre and style. AIVA offers various genres such as classical, electronic, and pop.
- Generate Your Music: Customize settings such as emotion, duration, and instruments. Click “Create” to generate the track.
- Download Your Track: After AIVA composes the music, you can listen to it and download the track in MIDI or audio format (like WAV or MP3).
Step 2: Edit and Enhance Tracks with Audacity
- Download and Install Audacity: Go to the Audacity website and download the free software. Install it following the on-screen instructions.
- Import Your Track: Open Audacity and use the “File” menu to import the track you downloaded from AIVA.
- Edit the Track: Use Audacity’s tools to trim, edit, and enhance your track. Apply effects such as reverb, equalization, and normalization to improve sound quality.
- Export the Edited Track: Once satisfied with your edits, export the track in your desired format (WAV or MP3) using the “File” > “Export” option.
Step 3: Upload Sample Tracks to SoundCloud
- Create a SoundCloud Account: Sign up for a free account on SoundCloud.
- Upload Your Tracks: Click the “Upload” button and follow the instructions to upload your edited music tracks. Fill in the title, description, and tags for better discoverability.
- Make Them Public: Ensure your tracks are set to public so potential clients can listen to your work.
Step 4: List Your Music Composition Services on Fiverr
- Create a Fiverr Account: Visit Fiverr and sign up for a free account as a seller.
- Create a Gig: Click on “Become a Seller” and follow the setup guide to create your first gig. Choose a catchy title, highlight your skills, and specify the services you offer (e.g., custom music composition, exclusive rights).
- Set Pricing and Packages: Define different pricing packages that cater to various client needs. For example, you can have basic, standard, and premium packages offering different levels of service.
- Add Samples: Link to your SoundCloud tracks or upload snippets directly to your gig listing so potential clients can hear what you offer.
Step 5: Monetize Your Tracks on SoundCloud
- Enable Monetization: If eligible, enable monetization on your SoundCloud account. You can apply for the SoundCloud Premier program if you meet their eligibility criteria (SoundCloud Premier).
- Offer Licensing: Add a licensing option for your tracks on SoundCloud. This way, other content creators can license your music for their projects.
Step 6: Upsell Additional Services
- Exclusive Rights: Offer exclusive rights to your tracks on Fiverr for an additional fee. This means the buyer has sole ownership of the track.
- Personalized Tweaks: Provide customization services where you tweak the composition as per the client’s request, such as adding specific instruments or changing the melody.
Tutorial: Crafting and Marketing Original Music Tracks Using Free Online Tools
Step 1: Use AIVA to Make High-Quality Music Tracks
- Register on AIVA: First, you’ll want to create a free account on the AIVA website. Once you’re signed up, you can start making music right away.
- Start a New Project: Click on “Create New Track” to get started. Choose your genre and style—AIVA includes options from pop to electronic and classical music.
- Generate a Track: Choose your settings, including emotion, instrumental composition, and the length of the track. Then, hit “Create”.
- Download Your Track: After AIVA has finished composing your music, listen and download your track in an audio format, such as MP3 or WAV.
Step 2: Edit Your Tracks with Audacity
- Set Up Audacity: Head over to the Audacity website, download the free software, and install it on your computer.
- Add Your Track: Open Audacity and import the music you created with AIVA from the “File” menu.
- Edit the Track: Utilize Audacity’s user-friendly interface to trim, tweak, and refine your track, applying special effects like reverb and equalization to elevate your sound.
- Export Your Edited Track: When you’re satisfied with the changes, click on “File” and then “Export” to save the finalized track.
Step 3: Share Samples of Your Music on SoundCloud
- Create a SoundCloud Account: If you don’t already have a SoundCloud account, you can sign up for a free one here.
- Upload Your Tracks: Click on the “Upload” button, follow the prompts, and start sharing your music tracks. Don’t forget to fill in key details, like the title, description, and tags, to help your music get discovered.
- Ensure Public Access: Check that your tracks are public so everyone can enjoy them and potential customers can spot your unique style.
Step 4: Create a Gig Offering on Fiverr
- Register on Fiverr: Start by creating a free seller account on the Fiverr website.
- Create Your First Gig: Click on “Become a Seller” and follow the steps to set up your first gig—define the service you provide, choose an attractive title, and highlight your skills in the description.
- Add Pricing and Packages: Make tiered pricing packages to cater to a range of customer needs. For example, consider offering basic, advanced, and premium level services.
- Include Music Samples: Upload snippets of your tunes or link back to your SoundCloud page so that potential customers can hear your music firsthand.
Step 5: Monetize Your Music on SoundCloud
- Tackle Monetization: If you’re eligible, enable monetization on your SoundCloud to earn revenue from your tracks. To see if you qualify, check out the SoundCloud Premier page.
- Consider Licensing: Add a licensing option on SoundCloud for your music—this way, if other creators want to use your tracks, they can pay to do so.
Step 6: Offer Additional Features to Customers
- Exclusive Rights: For an extra charge, offer exclusive rights to your tracks through Fiverr—this gives the buyer full ownership of the music.
- Customizable Options: Offer another level of service by tweaking the composition according to client’s requests, adding specific instruments or altering the melody to fit their needs, for example.
Exploring the Market Opportunity and Potential Earnings in Music Creation
Understanding the Market Size
The digital music creation market has seen rapid growth, thanks to the rise of home studios and online collaboration tools. According to Statista, the global music industry revenue is expected to reach $65 billion by 2023. Within this, the segment related to digital content creation is growing steadily. This provides a fertile ground for music creators, especially those offering custom compositions and soundtracks.
Addressable Market Size
The addressable market includes multiple sectors, such as independent artists, content creators, advertisers, and gaming developers. Here’s a quick breakdown:
Segment | Estimated Annual Spending |
---|---|
Independent Artists | $1 billion |
Content Creators (YouTube, Podcasts) | $2 billion |
Advertising Agencies | $3 billion |
Gaming Industry | $4 billion |
Potential Profit Margins
Profit margins can significantly vary depending on your pricing strategy and the quality of your portfolio. Here is a simple calculation example to understand potential earnings:
- Basic Package: $50 per track
- Standard Package: $100 per track
- Premium Package: $200 per track (including exclusive rights and customization fees)
Assuming an average sale price of $100 per track and selling 10 tracks a month:
- Monthly Income: 10 tracks x $100 = $1,000
- Annual Income: $1,000 x 12 months = $12,000
Expenses are minimal if you stick to using free tools like AIVA, Audacity, and SoundCloud for distribution.
Time Investment
Creating high-quality music tracks does require a time investment. Here’s an estimate of the hours involved for each step:
- Generating Music with AIVA: 1-2 hours per track
- Editing with Audacity: 2-3 hours per track
- Uploading and Marketing on SoundCloud and Fiverr: 1 hour per track
In total, each music track might take around 4-6 hours to create, edit, and market.
Inspiring Real-World Examples
Numerous indie artists and composers have turned their side hustles into full-time careers. For example, one can look at famous artists on Fiverr who started with smaller gigs and now make substantial incomes by offering bespoke music services. The ever-growing demand for unique, customizable music tracks means there’s a consistent market for your skills.
By leveraging the aforementioned tools and platforms, you can tap into a budding market with minimal upfront costs. Setting competitive prices and consistently delivering high-quality work will help you build a loyal client base and turn your passion into a profitable side hustle.
Advanced Techniques: Elevate Your Music Side Hustle
Refine Your Composition Skills
Continuous improvement is key in the creative field of music composition. Here are some advanced techniques to further enhance your business idea:
- Learn Music Theory: Understanding the fundamentals of music theory can add depth and complexity to your compositions. Websites like musictheory.net offer free lessons.
- Experiment with Different Styles: Don’t stick to just one genre. Experiment with various musical styles to expand your client base.
- Master Your Tools: Get proficient with AIVA’s advanced features and explore Audacity’s extensive toolset. Online tutorials and communities can be very helpful.
Implement More Advanced Features
To stand out from the competition, consider adding advanced features and services:
- Looping Tracks: Create seamless looping tracks that are popular in gaming and app development.
- High-Resolution Audio: Offer tracks in high-resolution formats such as FLAC or 24-bit WAV for audiophile clients.
- Layered Compositions: Develop multi-layered compositions where you provide individual stems (e.g., bassline, melody, drums). This allows clients to mix and tailor the track to their specifications.
Monetization Strategies
Diversify your income streams by incorporating different monetization strategies:
- Subscription Models: Offer a subscription service where clients can access a library of your tracks for a recurring monthly fee.
- Ad Revenue: Enable ad monetization on platforms like YouTube to generate revenue from views and clicks.
- Patreon: Use Patreon to gain recurring support from fans and offer them exclusive content and behind-the-scenes access.
Cross-Promotional Opportunities
Collaborate with other brands and creators to expand your reach:
- Partner with Video Content Creators: Offer your music to YouTubers and vloggers in exchange for shoutouts and credits in their videos.
- Collaborate with Other Musicians: Work together with other independent artists to create joint projects or remixes, boosting your exposure to each other’s audiences.
- Use Social Media Influencers: Reach out to influencers on Instagram or TikTok to use your tracks in their content, exposing your music to their followers.
Scaling the Business
When your side hustle gains traction, consider strategies to scale it into a full-time business:
- Expand Offerings: Provide additional services such as music production, mixing, and mastering.
- Automate Processes: Use tools like Buffer to schedule social media posts and streamline your marketing efforts.
- Hire Freelancers: As your business grows, consider hiring freelancers to help with tasks such as marketing, administrative work, or even music production assistance.
Wrapping Up
In the current era of digital music creation, leveraging online resources and platforms has become essential for upcoming artists. With tools like AIVA for music generation, Audacity for editing, and platforms like SoundCloud and Fiverr for promotion and monetization, not only can artists significantly improve their craft, but they can also turn their passion into a profitable venture.
By observing the burgeoning digital music market trends and employing strategic enhancement techniques, artists can stay ahead of the curve and magnify their earnings while creating soundtracks that resound with their target audience.
Remember, combined with your unique musical talent, utilizing the right tools and techniques can fuel your growth, earn you recognition, and ensure a steady stream of income.
Frequently Asked Questions – FAQs
How can I generate music with AIVA?
Simply visit the AIVA website, create a new project, set your preferences for genre, emotion, duration, and instruments, then hit “Create.” Once completed, you can listen to and download your track in either MIDI or audio format.
What features does Audacity provide for music editing?
Audacity provides a comprehensive set of tools for trimming, enhancing, and tweaking your music tracks. You can apply effects such as reverb, equalization, and normalization to improve the sound quality of your tracks.
How do I monetize my music on SoundCloud?
If eligible, you can enable monetization on your SoundCloud tracks and earn revenue. Further, you can add a licensing option so other creators can pay to use your music in their projects.
What services can I sell on Fiverr?
On Fiverr, you can list services like custom music composition, exclusive rights to tracks, and personalized tweaks to the composition. Offering