How Artists Can Get Paid in The Digital Age

Introduction

In this tech-age, most traditional industries have undergone overwhelming changes, and the traditional art industry is undoubtedly one of its "prey" as well. Before 2007, artists earned their living primarily by selling record albums. However, with the emergence of Internet video sites, many unconventional artists are receiving more rewards than traditional artists by posting videos online. This shift has made artists feel that they need to boost their popularity almost instantaneously so their income can support their livelihood. From my perspective, artists should be versatile enough to keep up with the trend and not just focus on their own talent.

Challenges of the Digital Age

Before I elaborate on my points, it is important to acknowledge some cons of the modernized method. By selling artwork through the internet on platforms such as Spotify, YouTube, Tidal, or Facebook, artists may face copyright and monetization issues. Traditionally, fans were required to purchase records or attend concerts to enjoy an artist’s performance. Nowadays, music piracy is a hot potato for the music industry, and according to YouGov's Music Report, one in ten people in the UK use illegal downloads (YouGov, 2021). Such apps allow users to "grab" music from streaming services like YouTube and Spotify and store the file on their phone or computer, preventing artists and record labels from earning revenue from future streams. This presents a significant challenge for the music and movie industry.

Fluctuation in Business Models

First and foremost, fluctuations in business models affect artists' income. In this series of events, artists who adhered to traditional methods were treated unfairly and struggled to make a living. This issue is not about the artists' skill or hard work but their inability to cope with new business models. For example, most new artists only receive a 10% royalty percentage for each album sold (Smith, 2020). As a result, some artists have begun to adapt by uploading their works on video sites and music download sites to get paid. The rapid development of modern business models leads to incoherent marketing. In 2013, artists' income from Internet video shifted from download revenue to streaming media revenue (Johnson, 2013). Although they may have a large number of fans, they only earn $166 in advertising revenue after every 1 million views.

Opportunities for Direct Support

Besides that, artists can benefit from the growing media chain by receiving direct support from their fans. A good example is through a website called Patreon. Patreon is a membership platform that provides business tools for creators to run a subscription content service, offering ways for artists to build relationships and provide exclusive experiences to their subscribers. Fans can support their favorite creators, such as musicians, writers, or videographers, by donating via Patreon, pushing them forward to create more artwork. It is like fundraising, but for salary rather than a huge project. When an artist creates a Patreon page, only those who pay can access the exclusive content. By using this platform, artists can directly benefit from their artwork rather than through an agent, receiving only parts of the profits. However, this may lead most artists to create their artwork based on audience taste instead of their inspiration (Brown, 2022).

Conclusion

In a nutshell, in this ever-changing era, artists must be highly adaptable to changes rushing toward them like "tsunamis" to turn the tables and avoid detrimental effects. Any form of wise adaptation should be carried out depending on each situation for the greatest benefit of the artist. By embracing new platforms and opportunities, artists can navigate the digital age while preserving their artistic integrity.

References

Brown, L. (2022). The Artist's Guide to Patreon: Navigating Audience Support. Creative Publishing.

Johnson, R. (2013). The Shift in Artist Revenue Models: From Downloads to Streaming. Music Business Journal.

Smith, J. (2020). Understanding Royalty Percentages in the Modern Music Industry. Music Industry Insights.

YouGov. (2021). Music Report: The State of Music Piracy in the UK. YouGov.