

Instead, try to reframe it in your mind as an incredible promotional platform and a unique opportunity to engage with your fan base in ways other media can’t match. Sure, making money is important, nobody can argue that point, but it isn’t the main purpose of radio for the vast majority of musicians, and if you’re just launching your music career, don’t think of radio as a moneymaker.

Why Should You Consider Radio As A Promotional Tool? If you want to dive into the numbers and the many, many technicalities, here are some organizations that explain this difficult field fairly well. How Much Money Do Artists Make When Their Songs Are Played?Īctually breaking down how much artists earn per play, how it comes to them, and everything connected to money and radio spins is incredibly complicated, and it could require a completely separate article. Still have questions about how money and radio works? Give us a call (323) 952-5050 Sure, the payout rates aren’t great, but wouldn’t you rather make something as opposed to nothing at all? While some may argue that their payment formulas are convoluted at best, they still offer something traditional radio can’t: payment to the artist regardless of who composed the song. Normally, internet radio pays everybody, including composers, singers, and performers. Things are different when it comes to internet radio. This has been the subject of intense debate over the years and still generates discussion, especially among performing artists. On the other hand, if you are only a performer – lead singer, backup singer, or the player of some instrument – you will not be paid a cent, regardless of how many times “your” song hits the airwaves. In other words, as the person who actually wrote and composed the track, you are entitled to compensation every time the radio station plays your song. This is because U.S copyright law protects the work of the composer, making him or her the primary recipient of dividends stemming from radio promotion. If you are a songwriter, you will likely be paid what are known as royalties every time your song is broadcast on the radio. As things in the music industry stand today, artists whose music is played on radio stations don’t always get paid, other than the “exposure,” which is a word too many artists are tired of hearing. As a matter of fact, the reality is, sadly, often the opposite. Many times, when people hear a smash hit on the radio, they tend to think, “Wow, this artist must be making a ton of money!” The fact that an artist’s music is played many times a day for several weeks, months or even years doesn’t necessarily mean that they are making bank. Why Should You Consider Radio As A Promotional Tool?.How Much Money Do Artists Make When Their Songs Are Played?.It’s an important question, and one that pops up quite a lot…and it’s one we can certainly help you answer. Many singers, songwriters, rappers and players, especially those just getting started, wonder how much cash they can earn when their tunes are played on the radio. While promotion is great, making money is still crucial for so many acts, as funds are often tight for up-and-coming artists. It’s a fantastic way to introduce millions of strangers to the art you’ve created, potentially making fans out of anyone who happens to be tuning in to the right station at the right time. Even in today’s internet-driven world where streams, TikTok, Instagram stories and YouTube seem to dominate social chatter and turn musicians with no following into stars, traditional radio remains o ne of the most effective and popular channels for music promotion.
