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No matter where I go, I’ve always got my earbuds with me, ready to be connected to my phone. Whether I’m working at home, commuting, reading a book at a cafe, running errands… Listening to music has always been a fantastic way to reduce stress and feel better as I go about my day!
I have even heard that listening to music not only improves mood levels but also improves our memory! So, if you’re an avid music listener, here’s your sign to keep tuning in to your favorite songs.
I’m sure you’ve listened to Happy by Pharrell Williams! Well, it might seem crazy what I’m about to say…
You CAN earn money listening to music, just like how people can get paid to watch videos!
I know what you’re thinking, “But Ling, I already listen to music 24/7, so where’s the cash?”
Of course, you’ve got to choose the right job or side hustle that requires you to listen to different types of music! If you’re not sure where to start, that’s what I’m here for. Read on to learn about the awesome ways you can get paid to listen to music!
PIN THIS: I’ll be updating this post so make sure to pin this image here and save it to your Pinterest board. That way you’ll be able to come back to this page to learn how to get paid to listen to music!
1. Music Blogger
Call me biased, but trust me when I say that you can earn good money by creating your own music blog. What’s awesome about creating a blog for your music reviews is that you have more creative freedom on what you want to write about. Plus, there are more ways to earn when blogging about music, may it be through affiliate marketing, sponsored posts, or ad revenue!
You can blog about new albums coming up, your take on controversial song lyrics, or even interview local artists. The music world is your oyster!
If you don’t know how to make money blogging just yet, I’ve got you! I’ve created guides about this that can help you begin your journey to creating a successful blog. But before anything else, here’s my first tip: Make sure you have a fantastic music blog idea that allows you to roll out a lot of content!
2. Freelance Music Critic
If you’re thinking of how to make money as a freelancer while being paid to listen to music, then maybe being a music critic is your calling!
Are you ready to start sending out your resume? I recommend checking out freelance platforms like UpWork, Freelancer, or Fiverr, where you can find companies searching for their next music critic.
Besides that, check out music magazines and contact their office! Many magazines like MOOF or Broccoli Mag look for contributors to share their insights on the latest albums. You can get paid to get featured in magazines, which can also be a huge advantage when applying for freelance jobs!
3. Music Surveys & Focus Groups
Can you believe that companies actually pay people to take surveys? What’s even cooler is that you can find websites that pay you to listen to music. One popular platform is Opinions For Cash, where you can join music testing opportunities and earn by providing feedback on whatever you’re assigned to listen to.
Some of the other best survey sites where you can earn to share your musical opinions are Swagbucks, Survey Junkie, or MusicXray!
Other than submitting music surveys for cash, did you know that you can get paid by participating in focus groups and panels?
Research companies are always on the lookout for participants to take part in their studies, may it be to get insight into music trends, reactions about streaming services, or feedback on music-related campaigns. I saw one that paid $400 to be part of a 2-hour online focus group!
While submitting surveys or taking part in focus groups can’t replace a full-time job, it’s definitely an awesome side hustle where you can enjoy listening to music for cash.
4. Curating Playlists
We listen but we don’t judge: I don’t have the most organized Spotify playlist! All of the songs I like are compiled in one playlist and I just listen to the most random tunes.
That’s why it sometimes surprises me when people create such elaborate playlists based on specific genres, events, or even their moods! It’s really a talent, and if you’ve got the knack for curating playlists, then you’ll be pleased to know that you can make good money out of it.
PlaylistPush is one of the more popular platforms where you can get paid as a playlist curator. The company will recommend new songs for you to check out, and you’ll decide whether to add the song to your playlist or not. You’ll get paid for each song you review, which can range from $1.25 to $15. It all depends on how many followers and active listeners you have on your Spotify playlist!
5. Music Reviewer
If you consider yourself a music aficionado and love to share your insights on whatever you’re listening to, then you can get paid to listen to music by posting your reviews online!
You can post your honest reviews about the newest tracks on review websites like Slicethepie, which will be helpful for unsigned artists looking for feedback. A huge plus is that you get to discover new music as well, so it’s a win-win situation!
Reviewing music is a great side hustle for those who love exploring new songs and genres. If you’re into indie music and open to trying new songs or artists, then you’ll love doing this in your spare time.
That said, it’s always worth having some knowledge of music analysis! I recommend learning about the basics of songwriting, music theory and techniques, and the like. Sure, these things aren’t required, but they will help you build your reputation as a music reviewer.
6. Music Transcription Services
Don’t you just love listening to your favorite songs over and over again until you can sing the lyrics perfectly? I do, too! I have a couple of songs I can sing by heart, even when the music isn’t playing!
If you feel the same way, you might want to consider being a music transcriptionist! This involves transcribing song lyrics for websites or music streaming platforms. I’m sure you’ve seen the majority of Spotify songs featuring lyrics already, and that’s all thanks to transcriptionists!
This is one of the coolest slow-paced jobs since you can work on your own time and it involves spending the day listening to music all day long. You don’t need any experience, just a good ear, basic typing skills, and trusty Internet.
You can add this to your list of side hustles from home and find open jobs from platforms like Indeed, ZipRecruiter, or Guru.
7. Podcasts & Radio Stations
Have your friends ever commented about how much you love to talk about music and that you should put up a podcast? Now’s your chance to use your voice and find ways to make extra money!
With so many people setting up their podcasts, this is your time to shine. Sure, you might have competition, but you can get an edge by focusing on a specific niche, or talk about controversial takes in the music industry. Pair engaging topics with a bubbly and fun personality, then you’ll gain a ton of loyal followers!
If podcasts aren’t for you, then you might want to check if your local radio station is looking for hosts to talk about certain music and artists. Some internet radio stations may also be looking for hosts, so it’s worth applying for!
Not a fan of talking? Earn money in music podcasts or radio stations by working as a content curator or researcher. You’ll be looking into music trends and new songs that hosts can talk about in their show, which also makes good money!
8. Start A YouTube Channel
What if you love talking about music behind the mic AND in front of the camera? Then there’s no better way to kickstart your career as a music vlogger than on YouTube, which is one of the money-making apps many vloggers earn from!
Since YouTube is one of the biggest social media platforms of all time, you’ll surely have a large audience waiting to listen to your thoughts about all things music!
If you’re wondering how to make money on YouTube, the first thing to learn about is the YouTube Partner Program, where you can monetize your videos and earn per view. The journey won’t be quick though, as you will need at least 1,000 subscribers and 4,000 public watch hours in the past year.
Besides the YouTube Partner Program, you can earn through sponsorships and affiliate marketing sprinkled around your content!
That said, being a YouTuber doesn’t mean you’ll be an overnight success. You’ll also need to study the ropes of music and not just talk about how a certain song sounds “cool.” You need to immerse yourself in all types of music genres and learn more about music analysis so people will be more interested in what you have to say!
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