If You Can’t Sell Music, Sell This Instead

If you're the type of artist who has an incredible personality but you know for sure your fans don't really want your music like that, I want to show you what they really want instead — something that will still allow you to make money from your fanbase beyond live shows and Spotify.

So that's what we're here for. I know you have a dream to change the world and make an impact, and I want to show you how to make that happen in this video even if your music isn't to be desired that much in a direct-to-consumer form by your fans.

For those who want an alternative way to sell yourself to your fans, even if your music is good, you're gonna get a kick out of this—and for those who know their music is not desirable in collector form, this is going to change your game.

My goal is to help you understand how to make money from your fans without Spotify, direct-to-consumer sales, and physical merchandise — while still being able to build a sustainable career.

Over the years, I've come to the conclusion that we're all influencers who are in the same boat as everyone else with a different product. I'm an influencer and you're an influencer. I have a product, you have a product, but there are only 3 things that our followers and fans want from us. These three things allowed me to stabilize my revenue while working on new products to release. It did the same for my clients as well. Providing service to our fans is all that we needed to balance out the products and the music and merch sales we were already generating. This is what we found out.

Fans want Access so sell it

Many artists think that their fans want more music. I've said this over and over again: many fans don't want more music. In fact, that's the reason why we have Spotify in the first place — because we have too much of it. And because you know this, the truth is what they really want is access. Music is like appetizers. It's like the cheese sticks before the six hot wings the whole table enjoys. You can get full on these appetizers, but that's not going to really satisfy you.

So if you can't make money from physical copies, and your merchandise is doing all right but not great, there is only one main thing left and that's access, because people will pay a premium to get close to a person, an event, or even a feeling.

I noticed because people who have purchased my products have also joined my community. And if they haven't purchased my products already but they join my community, they're about to purchase my products. When people need emotional fulfillment, they seek access.

You can give them access through your Instagram subscription, a Discord, a personal membership site, a private phone number, and so forth. You can even do a ticketed meet-and-greet separate from a live show. The point is, once you do this, money will begin to flow to your pocket because at the end of the day, anyone who becomes a fan or supporter of yours will want what you have, and in many cases, all of these people want access to you.

The thing is, you're probably thinking you need a big fanbase, right? But you actually only need to know what they want from you. Once you know this, all you have to do is sell it to them.

Acknowledgment is a flex so sell it to them

Most timid artists who don't want to feel egotistical will tend to shy away from giving acknowledgment to their fans, but the truth is acknowledgment is a flex, so sell it to them. It makes them feel like they belong to your fan club and it gives them bragging rights.

The real reason you're stuck in this mindset is because you don't feel like they should feel that way, but you should give them the next thing they want, which is status. "I know this person and look, they took a picture with me, isn't that great?" Well, none of us really care. The truth is they do, and it means the world to them.

Every year, I used to speak at the Chattanooga hip-hop festival, and people would want to take pictures with me. It all serves the same purpose — people want to show that they know people, they want others to feel like they are important, and they want to feel important on the inside, so give them that internal emotion that makes them feel like they are somebody. People will pay to feel like they are worth it, and they will pay to prove to other people that they are worth it.

A picture, an audio message, a signed poster, or an 8×10 photo are all base-level modes to sell people acknowledgment. When you add a personal touch by adding a few words directly to them, it takes it over the top. These people pay for that, and it's not even music, so sell it to them.

At the end of the day, you will feel transformed because you actually supplied your customer with a need they needed fulfilled. There is no greater feeling than that, regardless of whether you feel that people should stroke their egos in the way that your fans do.

Me personally, I never took photos with all of the artists I work with — maybe two; other than that, that was it. I didn't care about it, but as I had customers and fans, I realized that they did, so I allowed them to.

No, if you're thinking that this has to be some grand scheme to work for your fans — just set up an Instagram subscription and leave audio messages for your fans, and watch how this changes their world.

Achievement is for winners! Sell it!

If you don't think that your fans want to feel achieved, then you are sadly mistaken. The truth is, once you give them access and acknowledge them, these people will stick around for a while to develop a sense of achievement.

Let's see—you got the first two steps right. The last step in the process is understanding that these people will stick around for a while. That means you have to stick around too, because as they continue investing in your fan system, they'll begin to feel special. And they want to feel special—they'll feel that way because they've been your fan the longest, achieving a type of "Gamification VIP status" as your number one fan.

The more your fans stick around, the more you'll naturally acknowledge them because you know them and they always show up. Then naturally, as they show up, you give them incentives: "Hey, stick around and listen to this music real quick. I want to see what you think of it." You give them even more access, which makes them feel even more special.

So whatever you deliver for access that fans pay into, create some type of achievement tier. This keeps fans from getting bored in your access portal and gives them something to work toward. This keeps more money in your pocket and keeps more word-of-mouth going about you.

Here’s what you can do!

Right now, you have a choice: You can keep guessing and hoping things will change... or you can take advantage of a system that's already working. The real question isn't "should you do this?"—it's "how much longer can you afford NOT to?" If you need help understanding this method even more, join the Music Money Makers every Monday at 7 PM Eastern Standard Time as we talk about situations like this live. Also, join our master classes every month as well.

Back off the cliff

When it comes to selling access and acknowledgment to your fans, you might be thinking: "What if no one wants to pay for this?" or "What if I come across as desperate or inauthentic?" These are normal concerns, but they're actually signs that you're taking your fan relationships seriously. You just need to act. The key is to remember that your true fans already value their connection with you — you're just giving them more ways to deepen that relationship.

Another common worry is "What if I run out of ways to engage with my fans?" But here's the thing: authentic connection never gets old. Your personality, your journey, and your growth as an artist create endless opportunities for meaningful interaction. And remember, you don't have to reinvent the wheel every time — consistency in how you show up for your fans matters more than constant novelty.

What’s it going to cost to keep doing it your way

Think about what it's really costing you to keep pushing music that isn't connecting. Beyond the obvious financial drain of promoting tracks that don't gain traction, you're missing out on building genuine relationships with your existing fans who are literally waiting to support you in other ways. The emotional toll of forcing yourself down a path that isn't working can be devastating to your confidence and creative energy. And perhaps most importantly, every day you delay implementing this strategy is another day your superfans spend their money elsewhere — supporting other creators who understand what they truly want.

At the End of the Day

Remember, the beauty of this approach is that it transforms what might seem like a limitation — not having music that sells well — into an opportunity to create deeper, more meaningful connections with your fans. By focusing on access, acknowledgment, and achievement, you're not just creating alternative revenue streams; you're building a more sustainable and fulfilling career that serves both you and your audience. When you give your fans what they truly want, everybody wins.