Music composers generate revenue through direct sales, indirect sales, distribution, and intellectual property.
Direct sales
Direct sales can be contracts (Film, gigs, speaking functions) and also leases, where the buyer is legally bound to abide by certain regulations of usage.
Indirect sales
Indirect sales can be royalties for placements on distribution platforms like TuneCore, SoundCloud, CD Baby, Amazon, and more from streaming and radio stations (Paid per play is the main concept). They may even include samples of compositions. Composers still own copyrights so they are paid for features by percentage.
Distribution
Distribution itself, depending on labels and deals, can land music composers a lump sum upfront but this is often risky as sales for most musicians is not guaranteed.
Intellectual property
The intellectual property can be sales through books, composition kits for other composers, and additional merchandise like clothing or branded content exclusively sold through the composer’s preferred platform.
Question: Which of these are the most lucrative ones?
The indirect sales are the most lucrative and then intellectual property.
Question: Which of these do you make most of your sales from?
Currently, I make the most from direct sales but my indirect are starting to give me more returns.
