Insights for Dealing with Unpaid/Low-Fee Performances
Last week we touched on the topic of musicians having multiple jobs. As we go further down the rabbit hole with our career column, here are some insights for dealing with unpaid or low-fee performances.
Asked by a friend to perform in their concert last minute? Playing for a charity or a church?
Insight #1: Marketing
Spaces like libraries, churches, and community events can be high-value opportunities—even if unpaid—for musicians. You can record content for your social media, feature a poster with a QR code directing the audience to your website and future events, and collaborate with other artists both in person and online (leverage each other’s socials).
Insight #2: Get Creative Around Travel Costs
It’s unsustainable to drive hours with minimal travel compensation. Find ways to minimize travel for an unpaid or low-paying event, or ask if the venue can offer a stipend for this line item. Carpool when possible, and if you have equipment or instruments that need to get to the event, work with the venue—or your friend—to have this covered.
Insight #3: Negotiation
Let’s say you’re a pianist accompanying a local musical. They offer you $80 per rehearsal for five three-hour sessions. However, this doesn’t factor in your practice time, nor does it reflect the value you bring to those rehearsals. So you respond with something like:
“I’d love to be a part of your production. $80 doesn’t reflect my practice time or experience level. $100 per rehearsal would cover my preparation time and ensure I bring a top-tier performance to your production. Let me know if this could work for you.”
Insight #4: Broaden Your Horizons
Sometimes, you’ll need to get creative and think outside the box. How can you build on your current skills to work in genres outside your main field—jazz, pop, hip hop, musical theatre, indie? Maybe you teach yourself new skills, or barter with an artist friend to trade techniques and knowledge from your respective styles.
Insight #5: Get to Know the Industry
Being a starving artist in 2025 probably isn’t on your punch card—so how do you carve out new revenue streams and advocate for yourself? A huge part of being a musician (with or without an agent or manager) is knowing the business.
Shaq was a hugely successful basketball star in the ’90s and early 2000s, but he’s just as well-known for his business acumen today. He earned a BA, MBA, and eventually an Ed.D after becoming a millionaire. In his words:
“Talk to me—not my agent.”
He wanted to be the smartest person in the room—not just the talent.
Now, most of us can’t go out and get an MBA or PhD, but Coursera has classes from top schools like Harvard Business School on marketing and business management.
You are talented. You belong in this space. And you deserve to be paid. We’d love to hear about your journey!