If you’re a music producer or songwriter, chances are you’ve got a collection of old tracks sitting on your hard drive gathering virtual dust. While these unused songs may feel like they’ve passed their prime, they actually represent untapped potential for generating supplemental income. In today’s digital world, there are multiple avenues where you can monetize old music, whether through music licensing, publishing, or other creative revenue streams.
A new friend of the channel recently asked, “What can I do with all the old music I’ve created, and is it possible to make money from it?” The answer is a resounding yes! By leveraging the opportunities provided by music licensing and publishing, your older tracks can find a second life, and in turn, create passive income for you.
In this article, we’ll explore some actionable tips to help you turn that old music into revenue and take your music journey to the next level.
Why Old Music Still Has Value
Before diving into how you can make money from your old tracks, it’s important to recognize why they still hold value. Music is timeless in many contexts. A song you created five or even ten years ago could be the perfect fit for a film, TV show, commercial, or video game today. Content creators, filmmakers, and businesses are always on the lookout for music that fits their projects, and they aren’t necessarily focused on finding the "newest" track—only the one that works for their needs.
Here’s why your old music is valuable:
- Timeless Appeal: Depending on the genre and style, your older music may still sound fresh to many audiences.
- Nostalgic Value: Certain tracks may evoke specific eras or trends, making them highly desirable for retro or throwback-themed projects.
- Unique Sound: Sometimes, old music captures a certain creativity or rawness that’s difficult to replicate once you've polished your skills.
1. Licensing Your Music for Media Projects
One of the most lucrative ways to monetize your old music is through music licensing. This involves granting permission to use your tracks in various media, such as TV shows, movies, commercials, and video games. Each time your track is used, you can earn royalties or a licensing fee, depending on the agreement.
Types of Music Licensing
- Sync Licensing: This is the most common form of licensing, where your music is synchronized with visual media (e.g., TV shows, films, or ads). Platforms like Pond5, AudioJungle, and Songtradr allow you to upload your music to be licensed for these purposes.
- Royalty-Free Licensing: In this model, a one-time fee is paid for your track, allowing the purchaser to use it as many times as needed without additional royalties. Platforms like Artlist and PremiumBeat are popular for royalty-free licensing.
How to Get Started with Music Licensing
- Choose Your Platform: Start by researching platforms that specialize in music licensing. Each platform has its own unique audience, so choose one that fits your style of music. Websites like Pond5, AudioJungle, and Artlist are great places to start.
- Tag Your Music: When uploading your tracks, it’s crucial to tag them correctly with relevant keywords, such as genre, mood, or instrument type. This will help potential clients discover your music when they’re searching for specific sounds.
- Register with a Performing Rights Organization (PRO): To collect royalties from the use of your music in public performances, you’ll need to register with a PRO like ASCAP, BMI, or SESAC.
2. Publish Your Music for Royalties
If your music includes original compositions, another way to earn income is through music publishing. Music publishers help manage the rights to your compositions and ensure that you’re paid whenever your music is performed, streamed, or used in various ways.
How Publishing Works
Publishing involves two types of royalties: mechanical royalties and performance royalties.
- Mechanical Royalties: These are earned when your music is sold, streamed, or downloaded on platforms like Spotify, Apple Music, or Bandcamp.
- Performance Royalties: These are earned whenever your music is played in public, including on radio stations, TV, or live venues.
To ensure that you’re collecting both types of royalties, it’s important to register your songs with a music publisher or use a platform like Songtrust, which allows independent artists to collect publishing royalties.
3. Distribute Your Old Tracks Digitally
If you haven’t already released your old music on streaming platforms, it’s never too late to start. Streaming services like Spotify, Apple Music, and YouTube Music can help you earn income based on the number of streams your music receives. While it’s true that streaming royalties aren’t always significant, the sheer reach of these platforms can still bring in some supplemental income over time.
Steps to Get Started with Digital Distribution
- Use a Distribution Service: Services like DistroKid, TuneCore, and CD Baby make it easy to upload your music to major streaming platforms and online stores.
- Create Playlists: Promote your tracks by creating and curating playlists on Spotify, focusing on a specific mood or theme that matches your music.
- Leverage Social Media: Use platforms like Instagram, TikTok, or YouTube to promote your music. Old tracks can become viral sensations if they catch the right audience’s attention.
4. Repurpose Old Tracks for New Projects
If you’re looking for more immediate ways to monetize your old music, consider repurposing your tracks for new projects. For instance, you could take an old instrumental track and add vocals to create a brand-new song. Or, you could use the stems (individual parts like drums, bass, and synths) from an older track to remix it into a new genre.
This approach not only breathes new life into your existing music but also creates opportunities to release "new" content with minimal effort.
5. Sell Exclusive Rights
If you have old tracks that you no longer want to use, another option is to sell exclusive rights to the music. This can be particularly appealing to businesses or artists looking for tracks they can use without competition from other content creators. Platforms like Beatstars or Airbit allow you to sell exclusive rights to your beats or tracks.
Why Sell Exclusive Rights?
- Higher Payouts: Selling exclusive rights often brings in a higher upfront payment compared to licensing.
- Endless Opportunities: Once sold, the buyer may use the track for a range of purposes, including film scores, commercial jingles, or even as part of their album.
Conclusion: Don’t Let Old Music Go to Waste
Your old music isn’t just taking up space on your hard drive—it’s a potential revenue stream waiting to be unlocked. By exploring music licensing, publishing, digital distribution, and other creative methods, you can breathe new life into those forgotten tracks and turn them into supplemental income.
Whether you’re aiming to sell exclusive rights or earn recurring royalties through licensing, the possibilities are endless. Start organizing your back catalog, upload your tracks to the right platforms, and watch as your old music starts working for you.