MUG$ Amillion Writes Guide To Help Starving Artists Earn Money From Their Talent (Interview)

Almost every independent artist wants to earn money from their music. Earning money from music isn’t limited to YouTube and Spotify. There are other avenues of opportunity that can turn the love of music into a full-time income.

MUG$ first launched The MICC (Music Industry Crash Course) three years ago to educate artists on how to properly register for and manage their music publishing companies so they can earn money from their music. The MICC’s panels, classes, and private sessions grew to the composition of Indie Music Major Business: A Guide To Your First Royalty Check. The guide offers a deeper and more personal look into being an independent artist that learned how to navigate through the business end of the music industry.

We had the opportunity to chat with MUG$ Amillion in an interview. Check it out below.

What motivated you to want to educate upcoming artists?

MUG$: It was very personal for me because before gaining the knowledge that I have now about the music business, I was just an independent artist myself trying to figure it all out. Unfortunately, I didn’t have people around me that knew much about the music industry either. I wanted to be someone that would actually advocate for the artists and empower them through education.

What advice would you give an artist who just wants to promote their music on social media?

MUG$: Social media platforms are very useful in today’s music climate–allowing an artist the ability to network with other music professionals across the world from the comfort of their phone/ home. My advice though would be to utilize this easy access but don’t forget that grassroots or guerilla marketing, such as live appearances and meet & greets are still the most effective way to build a true fanbase.

The music industry can be a dirty game. What would you tell upcoming artists to watch out for?

MUG$: Be mindful of your close circle and the people around you day-to-day. Artists are actually taken advantage of, most often by their own management or family members that they have entrusted to handle their business for them.

What are some of the best tips for artists to earn money?

MUG$: I would suggest that artists think outside the normal box of just chasing spins on Spotify and views on YouTube. Start focusing on getting their music placed in movies and television shows. Sync fees and the residual income generated by way of the performance royalties earned can be way more lucrative and long-lasting with the right opportunities.

Is getting signed to a major record label still relevant these days?

MUG$: Having “the machine” behind you can be very beneficial to an artist once they reach a certain level in their career, but the benefits of today’s current direct-to-consumer engagement allows an artist to keep creative control of their brand and maintain ownership of their music, while still making decent money from things like merchandise and live shows. Therefore, I wouldn’t advise any artist to chase that dream anymore initially.

What do you want artists to take away from your book?

MUG$: In short, if you take care of your business, your business will take care of you. Being an indie artist still comes with the responsibility of handling the same business as a major artist if you want to get paid for your music.

Where can your book be purchased?

MUG$: The book “Indie Music Major Business: A Guide To Your First Royalty Check” can be purchased at wwwMoneyUnitedWithGame.com