Discover how to turn your SKILLS and PASSION for music into a CAREER at OPEN DAY on 5-6 October

From mastering your craft to recording your next single or working towards a career as a musician, artist, producer or mentor, we invite to you USM OPEN DAY on 5-6 October to learn more about how we can help you take the next step in your journey.

Our team have worked with Berklee College of Music, Harvard University, JMC, Universal Music, Sony and several independent labels, agencies and venues in Australia and internationally for over 25 years and have produced, trained and mentored musicians across the world to become independent working professionals in today’s industry.

At USM OPEN DAY, you’ll discover how to turn your passion and skills into a career and be surrounded by a team of professional mentors, songwriters and producers who can answer any of your questions over this jam packed 2 day weekend.

Article: 8 Ways to Make Money with Music

0. Article Intro  1. Busking  2. Gigs & Touring  3. Sell Your Merchandise  4. Record & Release Your Music  5. Record & Produce Other Artists  6. Manage or Promote Events or Clubs  7. Mentor Other Musicians  8. Build a Music Business

RECORD & PRODUCE ARTISTS

What is a Music Producer?

A music producer helps musicians turn songs into musical productions and final recordings for sale. He typically has a bachelor’s degree and often works his way up for several years as an intern and assistant producer. He works with both talent and the production crew to ensure the most effective final product is recorded. Although some hard work is required, being a music producer can be an exciting and rewarding career.

Earnings Potential

Music producer pay varies greatly depending factors such as location, the level of success and number of clients. Some producers work in larger firms while others operate independently. According to a study by the Bureau of Labor Statistics, the average salaried music producer earns about $55,000 per year, whilst Ziprecruiter reports that figure a little higher at $78,838 as a national average in Australia. In the US, The Berklee College of Music indicated a low end of $25,000 for record producers in 2010, but top earners, like Columbia Records Co-President Rick Rubin, make millions of dollars.

Market Demand

Music producers play a critical role in the musical entertainment industry. They oversee the entire process of making music, and without them quality recordings would not get made for any artist. Producers are important to their firms, investors in their businesses, artists and the audiences that buy the music. In some instances, producers even keep the wheels of the music industry turning by managing relationships between the artist and music label to ensure a collaborative effort during the production process.

Expertise and Skill Required

Top producers help artists turn their talents into a creative musical product that satisfies the vision of the artist and the financial interests of the label. Typically, good music producers have at least 5 years practice in the field, have undertaken training either through a program, course or qualification in sound engineering. But the best producers have extensive work in the field working directly with artists on multiple projects, styles and audiences working with tight deadlines and release dates.

Article: 8 Ways to Make Money with Music

0. Article Intro  1. Busking  2. Gigs & Touring  3. Sell Your Merchandise  4. Record & Release Your Music  5. Record & Produce Other Artists  6. Manage or Promote Events or Clubs  7. Mentor Other Musicians  8. Build a Music Business

CLUB & EVENTS PROMOTER/MANAGER

Market Potential

Events within the Music Industry are vital for both artists and for admires. They serve as a home for like-minds to connect through a shared interest of art but also provide a platform for promising artists to gain valuable experience—performing at a higher level. In a report from the 2017 Melbourne Live Music Census, Melbourne has more live music venues per capita than any other city in the world with over 73,000 gigs annually, 553 live music venues and $1.42 billion spent in small venues, concerts and festivals.

Earnings Potential

Operating as an event manager can work well for individuals with a stake in the business and it can be a way to leverage and position your name or brand by hiring quality acts as either support acts or headliners. Based on recent job posting activity on ZipRecruiter, the Club Promoter job market in both Docklands Victoria and throughout the entire state of is not very active as few companies are currently hiring. People working as a Club Promoter in your area are making on average $37,700 per year.

Skills and Investment Needed

If being a club promoter is your passion, your best option is to find a club owner who can negotiate a deal with you based on the number of patrons you can attract through your own networks, channels and marketing strategies. An experienced promoter tends to lead into an event manager role as running a successful event requires a diverse range of skills including; project management, budgeting, scheduling, negotiation and vision.

Article: 8 Ways to Make Money with Music

0. Article Intro  1. Busking  2. Gigs & Touring  3. Sell Your Merchandise  4. Record & Release Your Music  5. Record & Produce Other Artists  6. Manage or Promote Events or Clubs  7. Mentor Other Musicians  8. Build a Music Business

MENTOR OTHER MUSICIANS

Market Trend

Mentoring and coaching is now the 2nd fastest growing industry in the world producing $350 million per day in the US. With more musicians considering working with mentors over traditional degrees, never has there been a better time to establish a music career as a professional mentor for musicians and artists.  Mentoring is also a great way to share your experience, skill and knowledge with upcoming talent whilst helping them to achieve their goals.

Role of a Mentor

Professional mentors use coaching, teaching and counselling as part of their profession, working with mentees to help them overcome personal challenges. The primary role of the mentor is to build capability and the developmental mentor helps the learner discover their own wisdom by encouraging them to work towards career goals and develop self-reliance. In mentoring, the mentee experiences a higher level of accountability to achieve deeper, more enduring results that generally lasts a lifetime. In addition to this, mentors often guide mentees along their career by sharing their network and industry connections, help to source work in the industry and be available to support you whilst in the field, in the studio, at a gig or during an important deal.

Earnings Potential

Professional mentors can earn between $70-$150 per hour and can sometimes charge higher fees than standard teaching rates (typically $30-$70 per hour). According to Neuvoo, entry level music teaching positions start at $58,500 per year while most experienced workers make up to $87,750 per year.

Expertise and Skill Required

Many professional mentors have at least 3 years informal teaching experience and have completed professional training or qualification. With the growing popularity of modern positive psychology and life coaching programs, professional mentor training programs have been mainly offered to skilled professionals in privately run education-based companies.

Return on Years of Investment 

If you love helping others develop their potential, mentoring is a great way to get a return on years of practice, learning and experience whilst making an impact in people’s lives. Most of the best mentors in the music industry are also skilled producers who combine both producing with mentoring, working with their networks which can include A&R companies, music record labels and agencies.

Article: 8 Ways to Make Money with Music

0. Article Intro  1. Busking  2. Gigs & Touring  3. Sell Your Merchandise  4. Record & Release Your Music  5. Record & Produce Other Artists  6. Manage or Promote Events or Clubs  7. Mentor Other Musicians  8. Build a Music Business

RECORD & PRODUCE ARTISTS

What is a Music Producer?

A music producer helps musicians turn songs into musical productions and final recordings for sale. He typically has a bachelor’s degree and often works his way up for several years as an intern and assistant producer. He works with both talent and the production crew to ensure the most effective final product is recorded. Although some hard work is required, being a music producer can be an exciting and rewarding career.

Earnings Potential

Music producer pay varies greatly depending factors such as location, the level of success and number of clients. Some producers work in larger firms while others operate independently. According to a study by the Bureau of Labor Statistics, the average salaried music producer earns about $55,000 per year, whilst Ziprecruiter reports that figure a little higher at $78,838 as a national average in Australia. In the US, The Berklee College of Music indicated a low end of $25,000 for record producers in 2010, but top earners, like Columbia Records Co-President Rick Rubin, make millions of dollars.

Market Demand

Music producers play a critical role in the musical entertainment industry. They oversee the entire process of making music, and without them quality recordings would not get made for any artist. Producers are important to their firms, investors in their businesses, artists and the audiences that buy the music. In some instances, producers even keep the wheels of the music industry turning by managing relationships between the artist and music label to ensure a collaborative effort during the production process.

Expertise and Skill Required

Top producers help artists turn their talents into a creative musical product that satisfies the vision of the artist and the financial interests of the label. Typically, good music producers have at least 5 years practice in the field, have undertaken training either through a program, course or qualification in sound engineering. But the best producers have extensive work in the field working directly with artists on multiple projects, styles and audiences working with tight deadlines and release dates.

Article: 8 Ways to Make Money with Music

0. Article Intro  1. Busking  2. Gigs & Touring  3. Sell Your Merchandise  4. Record & Release Your Music  5. Record & Produce Other Artists  6. Manage or Promote Events or Clubs  7. Mentor Other Musicians  8. Build a Music Business