Whether you want to work for yourself full-time or earn extra cash, you may want to start a business. More specifically, you should look into some remote business ideas.
That way, you can build your business around your life and not vice versa. Keep on reading for some of the best remote businesses musicians can start.
1. Private Teaching
One of the most obvious remote business ideas musicians can start is a private teaching studio. Sure, the traditional way of teaching involves working with students in person.
However, more and more students are looking to learn from home. You can offer lessons online and work with students all over the world.
A nice benefit to this is that you aren’t limited to teaching during after-school hours. For example, if you live on the west coast, you could target students on the east coast.
That way, you can start teaching around noon when it’s 3pm for your students. You could also target people in Europe if you want to teach in the mornings.
Now, a lot of online teachers won’t accept beginners since it’s harder to teach them online. But you can still find intermediate and advanced players looking to learn from you.
You can advertise your services on your website and social media. Platforms like TakeLessons can also help you get more students.
2. Composing
Maybe you enjoy writing or arranging music, so you decide to become a composer. This has almost always been a remote business since you can work anywhere.
You can focus on composing original works or arranging existing pieces or both. And you can get commissions to bring in more income sooner.
On the other hand, this business can also become more passive. You can self-publish your sheet music and make money every time you make a sale.
As your composition library grows and as your audience grows, so will your revenue. I’ve made multiple sales of my own flute music without having to do much to promote it.
While it’s not enough to be my only thing, the money adds up. It’s a great option if you’re creative and like working on new music.
3. Remote Recording Artist
If you prefer to perform, you don’t have to always work in person. You can find some remote recording gigs that allow you to record music from your home studio.
This helps your clients because it’s often more cost-effective than renting a studio and recording there. And you get to live and work in a city or state you like.
Plus, you can work with clients all over the world; I did a recording project for a client based in Sweden. As long as you have good recording equipment, you can get started.
To start this business, you can use your website to advertise. I’ve also used Fiverr to get recording clients, which can help you broaden your reach.
I’d also recommend uploading high-quality recordings of yourself to YouTube and other platforms. That way, you can prove to potential clients that you sound good.
4. Audio Engineer
Another remote business idea that goes well with recording is audio engineering. You can work with recording artists to edit their tracks to sound as good as possible.
This work could involve correcting pitch errors or adjusting the volume levels of individual tracks. It also can see you combining different tracks.
To a point, this business is part of being a remote recording artist. I do all of the editing for any remote recording work I take on.
Of course, you’ll need good software to edit audio tracks. If you have a Mac, you can start with the free GarageBand and upgrade from there.
You can then get clients in the same ways as you would recording. Your website and social media are great tools, but so are freelance marketplaces.
5. Content Creator
Starting a content creation business might be for you if you want to work remotely. You can start posting on Instagram, YouTube, or a blog.
As you grow your audience, you can start to monetize your content in various ways. I’ve used ads, affiliate marketing, and digital products.
Some content creators do a variety of brand deals to make money. That means they partner with a brand to create a specific post about that company, and the creator gets paid to share it with their audience.
Depending on the revenue streams you choose, this can be a very passive business. So if you have a lot of other things you do, it’s a great way to add some extra cash.
However, of all of the remote business ideas out there, this one can take a while to bring results. You’ll need to put in a lot of time up front before you can expect to see a profit.
Why Start a Remote Music Business
One of the things I love about having a remote music business is the flexibility. I started freelancing about a year before the pandemic, so I didn’t have to worry about shifting to remote work all at once.
It’s also allowed me to move out of state for a music job that I really wanted. I didn’t have to give up my business and start from scratch after moving.
Plus, I can do a lot of different things, which has helped me settle on what I do and don’t like.
Compare Remote Business Ideas
If you’re looking to work for yourself, consider a few remote business ideas. That way, you can get started sooner rather than later.
And the sooner you start, the sooner you’ll be able to see a return on your investment. It’s a great way to build your career.
Don’t want to work remotely? I have a massive guide of tons of music business ideas!
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