How I Make a Living with Music in 2024 (Without Selling, Streaming or Touring)

Summary

In this video, Tommy Z discusses a lesser-known music career path: creating original music for brands. He shares his personal journey, from discovering this niche through a friend's ad agency project to building a successful 15-year career. Tommy explains how brands invest billions in marketing and need music for their campaigns, offering musicians a stable income without needing to perform live. He advises musicians to learn the business before diving in and offers training through his academy, aiming to help artists transform their skills into a full-time profession from their home studios.

Takeaways

• 🎶 Tommy Z has been making a full-time living from music for 15 years, using a career path not widely known or discussed.
• 💡 Musicians should stop relying solely on selling music in traditional ways, like streaming or tours, and instead focus on using their skills to create original music for brands.
• 📈 Brands spend billions on marketing and advertising, much of which requires original music, creating opportunities for musicians to monetize their work.
• 🛠️ Tommy Z discovered this career path through a friend who worked at an ad agency, which led him to create music for a Pontiac Aztec commercial and opened his eyes to the potential of composing music for brands.
• 🎯 One common mistake musicians make is reaching out to ad agencies directly, but ad agencies usually work with music production companies, not individual composers.
• 🏢 There is a hidden world of music production companies that work specifically on creating music for brands, often featuring high-end studios and professional setups.
• 🔑 Tommy Z emphasizes the importance of understanding how the business works before diving in, as his initial efforts of contacting ad agencies directly did not lead to success.
• 🤝 After learning the business structure, Tommy Z became a music producer at a music production company and eventually became a partner, allowing him to thrive in the industry.
• 🎓 Today, Tommy Z teaches other musicians how to succeed in this niche, helping them turn from amateurs into professionals who can create original music for brands.
• 🌟 His goal is to empower musicians to find consistent work and exposure through brand music production, while avoiding the unpredictability of traditional music careers.

Q & A

What is the music career path that Tommy Z talks about in the video?

Tommy Z discusses the career path of creating original music for brands, which includes composing music for commercials and marketing campaigns. This path allowed him to make a full-time living from music for 15 years.

Why does Tommy Z believe many musicians are unaware of this career path?

Tommy Z believes many musicians are unaware of this path because it's not widely talked about, and many musicians don't realize that brands need original music for their campaigns. He himself had no idea about this world until a friend in advertising introduced him to it.

What challenges did Tommy Z face when he first tried to break into this industry?

When Tommy Z first tried to break into the industry, he mistakenly approached ad agencies directly, but they did not respond. He later learned that ad agencies typically work with music production companies, not individual composers.

How did Tommy Z finally succeed in entering the world of music for brands?

Tommy Z succeeded by reaching out to music production companies that specialize in creating music for brands, rather than contacting ad agencies directly. He eventually became a music producer at a company called Tattoo in Toronto, later becoming a partner.

Why does Tommy Z say musicians should not rush into this industry without understanding how it works?

Tommy Z advises against rushing into the industry without understanding how it works because musicians might make mistakes, such as approaching the wrong people (like ad agencies), which could lead to failure or frustration.

What kind of opportunities exist for musicians who create music for brands?

Musicians who create music for brands can work on commercials, marketing campaigns, and branded content. There is a constant demand for original music, and brands are willing to pay for it. This provides consistent work and can lead to significant exposure.

How does Tommy Z feel about teaching other musicians this career path?

Tommy Z enjoys teaching other musicians about this career path, especially when he sees them succeed in creating music for major brands. He finds it fulfilling to pass on his life's work to help others make a living from music.

What does Tommy Z say about the workload and pace of working in music for brands?

Tommy Z mentions that working in music for brands can be intense, with tight deadlines and a fast-paced environment. However, despite the pressure, it is a rewarding career that has allowed him to thrive as a full-time musician.

How did Tommy Z first get involved in creating music for brands?

Tommy Z first got involved in creating music for brands when a friend, who worked at an ad agency, asked him to create music for a Pontiac Aztec commercial. After submitting the demo and revisions, he was amazed at how much the agency paid him for his work.

What advice does Tommy Z give to musicians interested in this career path?

Tommy Z advises musicians to first understand how the business works before approaching potential clients. He emphasizes the importance of contacting the right people—music production companies—and preparing a strong portfolio to demonstrate their skills.