Planning for a Money Making Summer during COVID-19

It’s almost summer! So you know what that means - it's time to start doing some summer game planning & goal setting.

While we might not be able to rely on the normal summer activities this year, there is still so much you can do to grow your music career & make money. As a holistic music career coach, here are my top 3 recommendations to start with.

NUMBER ONE: Gigging

When the corona virus outbreak first hit the US in Mid-March, gigs started rapidly being cancelled, venues closed. We had no clue when things were going to be back to normal - maybe just two weeks? 

So, going live on IG or Facebook in the interim became the norm.

Now, today, we’re talking about planning for a MONEY MAKING summer, so I want to start by saying: It's time to re-think your strategy, because going live on IG isn’t one that goes to make you money. 

Going live is a great strategy for free content and to engage your fanbase, but not the most lucrative path you can take. Here are some alternate options you can start to implement, and remember if you DO go live to at least include a Tip Jar or your PayPal/Venmo situation.

1. Do (virtual house) shows or festivals, or backyard shows - since we’re slowly opening back up again, be the entertainment for small gatherings, or do virtual house parties for friends & fans!
2. Do private (paid) shows for your fans on Zoom, StageIt, or Crowdcast - create an intimate experience for your fans by offering them elite access to a paid virtual show.
3. Outdoor gigs at parks, farmers markets, or wineries -  There are plenty of places we can social distance ourselves, including outdoor venues.
4. Provide music for celebrations like birthdays, weddings, fathers day - virtual or in person - help make these special days even more special by providing pre-recorded, virtual, or in person entertainment!

NUMBER TWO: Songwriting & Pitching Songs

In the songwriting groove while quarantined? Turn this into a money making activity! Here’s a few different ways to get paid for your songs & practice your skills: 

1. Write personalized songs that others can give as gifts for someone's birthday or graduation, wedding, anniversary. You can also do a double whammy and PERFORM it live, or record it for them to listen over and over.
2. Scoring a movies / work for hire composing projects - got any connections or friends who need music composed for their projects? Churches, dance studios, etc, are all in need for music for their different virtual offerings right now, and movies are still being made! 
3. Write songs to be pitched for sync or to other artists and make money from the fees & potentially royalties! While this might be a longer-game strategy, it’s a great way to get your music out there & get regularly paid for your songs.  

NUMBER THREE: Creating & Selling Merch

Now's a great time to put bundles together, because you're home and able to ship them out! If you have merch, bundle it up, offer fun deals and discounts, and have a great way for your fans to proudly rep your stuff. If you don't have merch, it's a great time to make some.

Here’s a great way to get started & create merch that your fans are obsessed with:

• Brainstorm main facets of your brand 
  Think: logo, things I love (that people know about), album covers, releases, names, etc.
• Brainstorm merch ideas that go along with that
• Price it out
• Get it created

>> one of my favorite merch resources is @merch_cat

Whatever you choose to try this summer...CHARGE YOUR WORTH.

And to help you plan out the money making and feel SUPER confident with your finances, check out the Musicians Make More Money Tracker & Planner, a tool crafted specifically for musician’s to double their income with music. Use code WCM for 50% off (Discount ends 6/16 ).


Written by Katie Zaccardi :

Katie Zaccardi is the holistic music career coach for women in music. Through her work in both music (as a songwriter, artist, & music industry professional) and wellness (as a certified yoga instructor), along with her own experience with a generalized anxiety disorder, Katie discovered the urgent need for conversation surrounding mental health and self care within the music industry. Realizing the music industry’s demand for honest discussion on such topics as mental and physical wellbeing, Katie established Out to Be. Out to Be advocates a balanced path to personal and professional success that is grounded in wellness & mindset. At its core is the idea that what you set out to do, you turn out to be; that no matter where you begin, you make your own way to the most authentic you. The Out to Be Podcast invites listeners to engage with insightful dialogue on all things wellness and their relation to working in music. Through the Out to Be Coaching platform, Katie  supports artists and professionals in creating a sustainable music career with a personalized approach by integrating strategy, wellness, and mindset.




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