15 Places to Share Your Music (and Make Extra Money)

This is the time of year to make plans. And if your plans include doing some extra playing in public and maybe earning a little money, you need to read this post.

Sometimes opportunities for playing are right in front of us, but we miss them. Instead we are staring at the phone or checking our email waiting for an invitation. You don’t need to wait to be asked; you do the asking!

Most of these performances will be only for tips, some only for exposure, some just for fun. They’re not high profile or resume builders. So why would you do them?

Maybe you want some practice performances before a recital. Maybe you’re a student and you could use a few extra dollars and some more experience. Perhaps you would like to build a fan base in your community or promote an upcoming concert. You might even just want to get out of the house.

This is far from a complete list. I hope it gives you some ideas and helps you be even more creative with ways to share your music with others. After all, isn’t the sharing what makes music fun?

1. Nursing homes or retirement communities

2. A local cafe or bookstore or other specialty shop

3. Library programs

4. Doctor or dentist waiting room

5. Rotary club breakfast or luncheon

6. Garage sale or yard sale

7. Company cafeteria

8. Art show opening

9. Train station

10. Craft fair

11. Church supper

12. Open mike night

13. Heritage festival (Irish festival, Greek festival, etc.)

14. Office building lobby

15. School fair or open house

A few reminders: Don’t forget to ask permission before you go. Remember your business cards, a clipboard to collect email addresses for your mailing list and a tip jar. Take any CDs or other items you have to sell (you should ask ahead of time if this is permitted). And lastly, don’t forget your smile!

And just for the record, I have played at all of these places over the years!