Do artists need the internet to make money making music?
No.
In fact, in Part Two of my podcast on how to make money making music in the year 2018, I offer four suggestions that, not surprisingly, would have also worked back in the year 1979.
Of course, if you're absolutely convinced that your music needs to be on the interweb, following these rules will set you apart from the rest of the herd:
1. STOP GIVING YOUR MUSIC AWAY. PERIOD.
It is worth reminding ourselves that, once upon a time, the idea of paying $5 for coffee would have caused much laughter and derision. Now Starbucks is a multi-billion dollar, publicly-traded company that sold $22 BILLION dollars worth of coffee last year. So, yes, it is possible to get people to pay for music.
2. OK, GIVE A LITTLE BIT OF IT AWAY, BUT ONLY TO DRIVE SALES.
Upload half of your new album to Bandcamp and then sell physical copies of your full album. If listeners like what they hear for free, they will be driven to BUY the tracks that are unavailable to streamers and will pop for the physical product.
You do have physical product, don't you?
3. SPOTIFY, OR NO SPOTIFY? THAT IS THE QUESTION!
Most bands look at Spotify as a necessary evil. It is not. It is just evil. Giving your music away so that Sean Parker can add another billion to his bank account balance is great for Sean Parker, but how has it been working out for you?
4. WATERMARK YOUR MUSIC FOR STREAMING SITES.
If there's just no stopping you from going the Spotify/streaming route, there is no rule that says you are required to upload the RETAIL version of your music to streaming sites.
In other words, after 30 seconds of your song has played, add some dialogue that instructs interested listeners how to purchase your music and do away with that annoying dialogue! Also, remind the lazy bastards how BUYING YOUR MUSIC is a great way to FEED A MUSICIAN'S CAT!!
Also, while you're at it, make sure to do an instrumental mix of your new album for use in film/TV. Last we checked, the film/TV/ad industries still pay for the music they use.
5. JUST GIVE UP.
That's right, just give up. The music biz is not for everyone and the fewer artists and bands we have simply taking up space while expecting the world to beat a path to their door will eventually clear the way for a band like yours that wants to succeed and is willing to do anything it takes to make a living making music.
Now that I've addressed your online options, get the juicy inside dirt on how to make money selling your music in Part 2 of my TMFI podcast:
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fight the power