How to Make Money Singing in Your Local Area

Wouldn’t it be nice if you could earn money doing something you truly enjoy? For some people who are blessed with a beautiful voice, singing is their chosen pastime. Why not make an extra income doing it? Even if you’re not American Idol material, there are still ways to turn your singing talents into a lucrative part or even full-time income. Here’s how to make money singing:

Think Small and Think Local

Although the competition is fierce for becoming an established singer on a national scale, there are probably lots of opportunities in your own home town and lots of niches you haven’t considered. Instead of dreaming about being the next lead singer for a Grammy award winning band, set your sites on opportunities in your local area. The more exposure you get even on a small scale, the more likely you’ll be able to parlay your talents into something larger.

Singing Telegrams

This is a fun way to hone your performance skills and earn money at the same time. You would make money by going to various sites chosen by the client and delivering a song along with a customized performance. You might visit someone’s home, a local hospital to deliver a get well song, or a party or other special event. This type of work is varied and interesting. Plus, you never know when a gig like this can lead to a larger singing job or even professional acting work. If you’re super industrious, start your own singing telegram business.

Sing at Weddings

Why not offer your voice talents and get paid for it by singing at local weddings? There’s a large demand for voice talent at weddings and it’s a relatively easy to get started. Have some business cards printed up describing what you do. You’ll need to prepare a demo tape to share with clients so they can experience your talent firsthand. Advertise your service at local wedding stores and online. With some focused marketing, this type of business can really take off. Plus, the more you perform, the greater the chance of being “discovered”.

Sing at Restaurants and Night Clubs

In any moderate sized city, there’s a demand for voice talent at restaurants and night clubs. Your chances of being successful are even higher if you can play an instrument while you sing. Start by making a list of all the late night restaurants and night clubs in your area. Take your business card and demo tape around to each one and let them know what you have to offer. Offer to sing for them free for an evening to get established. There’s a good chance you’ll make enough in tips to make it worth your while anyway. Who knows? You may just become a local celebrity.

Start a Hospital Singing Business

If you’re confined to a hospital bed or nursing home, there’s nothing more uplifting than being sung to. Why not start a business specializing in delivering get well songs to hospital and nursing home patients? You could market your service at the hospital gift store and by giving your business card to nurses who can spread the word to their patient’s families. To make it easier, you could arrange to visit the hospital on a particular day each week to deliver your songs so you don’t have to make multiple trips. This is a service that would be much appreciated by both hospital patients and their families.

While you’re waiting for your big break, go to as many auditions for singers as you can and enter singing contests. In the meantime, you’ll have a source of income to fall back on from singing gigs in your local area.