Get Paid To Listen to Music: 10 Proven Ways

woman listening to Spotify music with headphones
FG Trade / Getty Images

Commitment to Our Readers

GOBankingRates' editorial team is committed to bringing you unbiased reviews and information. We use data-driven methodologies to evaluate financial products and services - our reviews and ratings are not influenced by advertisers. You can read more about our editorial guidelines and our products and services review methodology.

20 Years
Helping You Live Richer

Reviewed
by Experts

Trusted by
Millions of Readers

For many, music is an essential part of their daily routine. Music is a powerful language that affects your entire life, whether during a long commute listening to a radio station, background ambiance during work or when simply unwinding with your perfect playlist. What most people don’t realize is that several apps and websites let you get paid to listen to music and make passive income. Keep reading to learn more.

10 Ways You Can Get Paid To Listen to Music

Whether you’re a music enthusiast or just looking for a fun and easy way to earn quick money, these apps and sites are worth checking out.

1. Spotify

Spotify, a trailblazer since 2008, continues to dominate the music streaming world. Apart from its vast music and podcast library, it offers unique monetization opportunities.

By curating playlists, you can earn through platforms like PlaylistPush, where each song review can fetch you up to $15, provided you meet their curator criteria.

2. RadioEarn

RadioEarn remains a steady platform for earning by listening to internet radio. Simply sign up, listen and earn points convertible into cash or rewards. The site has updated its payout methods to include more digital currencies, ensuring a broader reach.

3. Earnably

Earnably is an online rewards platform that lets you make money by completing tasks, some of which relate to music. These ways include watching music videos or content related to music. Other ways to generate rewards through the platform are by completing music-related surveys or offers.

Once you make enough points through the Earnably platform, you can redeem them for cash via PayPal or choose from multiple gift cards.

4. Slicethepie

Slicethepie is an online platform that pays you to review and provide feedback on new music tracks. You can get paid to listen to music by checking out new songs and sharing your thoughts on various aspects of the music. You need to create an account and share some of your demographic information to get started. This allows the platform to send you music likely to appeal to your taste.

After submitting your review and rating, the platform credits you a certain amount of money, which you can add to your account balance. The amount you earn per review depends on your feedback quality and star rating.

5. Current

The Current app is a platform that lets you make money and earn rewards by listening to music. By streaming your favorite songs and discovering new ones, you can earn points and redeem them for cash or gift cards.

6. Transcribe Music Lyrics

One lesser-known way to make extra money is transcribing or translating music lyrics. If you know multiple languages and spend a lot of time at home, you can use your time working with companies such as Welocalize.

7. Be Part of a Focus Group

Some companies pay for focus group participation to collect people’s opinions about new and upcoming music. These groups pay well — between $75 to $100 — and you don’t have to be in a specific location to start.

8. Use Upwork

Upwork is a platform where professionals connect with freelancers. Well-established freelancers with high ratings can make thousands of dollars annually performing services they love.

Suppose you are a lyric writer or transcriber. In that case, you can create a profile on the platform and advertise your services to artists seeking assistance.

9. Start a YouTube Channel

If you are comfortable being on camera and can build a solid audience, you can create a YouTube channel to review new music. Although it can be tricky due to copyright issues, doing this correctly lets you get paid based on how many people watch and subscribe to your channel.

If your audience gets big enough, you might even be able to find sponsors and sell merchandise.

10. Make Money by Podcasting

Podcasts are popular throughout the world. If you have the time and resources, creating a music podcast can help you make a solid income.

Since plenty of podcasts exist, monetizing your channel is the best way to make money through these platforms. You can build an audience, choose a niche you’re comfortable with and create a paid subscription option for loyal listeners.

Get Paid To Listen To Music: Tips and Ideas

The idea of getting paid to listen to music may sound like a dream job but it is definitely in the realm of possibility for music enthusiasts and audiophiles like yourself. With the rise of digital platforms and the ever-expanding music industry, there are legitimate opportunities for individuals to earn money by listening to music. Here are some general tips and tricks to turn your passion for music into a source of income:

  • Music review websites: Start by exploring platforms that pay individuals to write reviews of songs, albums and artists. Perfect your review technique focusing on your writing style and musical knowledge. Reviewers can earn money based on the quality and quantity of their reviews.
  • Music research companies: Align with music research companies that value your opinion on music trends and listener preferences. Participation in surveys and focus groups can unlock rewards, from gift cards to cash, all for simply sharing your musical tastes.
  • Online radio and playlist curators: If you have a knack for creating playlists or hosting radio shows, platforms like Spotify or Apple Music offer opportunities for playlist curators and radio hosts to monetize their content. Build a following with your music selections and engage your audience to earn through advertising and sponsorships.
  • Crowd-sourced music platforms: Crowd-sourced music platforms like Slicethepie allow users to discover new music and provide feedback directly to artists and labels. These platforms pay listeners for reviewing and rating songs, providing valuable insights that help artists improve their music.
  • Affiliate marketing: If you have a blog, social media following or website dedicated to music, you can monetize your platform through affiliate marketing and merchandise sales. By partnering with music-related brands and promoting products, you can earn commissions and generate income while sharing your love for music with your audience.

Final Take To GO

Leveraging your love for music can open up diverse avenues for passive income. While these methods might not replace a full-time job, they offer a valuable source of supplemental income. Whether you’re a passionate music lover or just seeking a fun way to earn, these platforms provide exciting opportunities to get paid to listen to music.

FAQ

Here are the answers to some frequently asked questions about getting paid to listen to music.
  • Can I get paid by listening to music?
    • Yes, getting paid to listen to music is not only possible but also accessible to anyone with a passion for discovering new music, sharing opinions and engaging with the music community. Whether you choose to write reviews, participate in surveys, curate playlists or explore other avenues, the key is to leverage your musical expertise and enthusiasm to create value for yourself and others in the music industry.
  • How can you get paid on Spotify?
    • Spotify offers indirect ways to monetize your love for music. For instance, if you create and curate popular playlists, you can leverage platforms like PlaylistPush, which pay playlist curators to review songs.
  • Can you really make money on Playlist Push?
    • Yes, essentially Playlist Push will pay curators like yourself to review new music and decide if it fits your preferred playlist. Not only can you find new music, but you can also monetize it.
  • How can you get paid to listen to music?
    • There are a variety of ways you can get paid to listen to music such as:
      • Spotify
      • RadioEarn
      • Earnably
      • Slicethepie
      • Current
      • Transcribe lyrics
      • Focus groups
      • Upwork
      • YouTube
      • Podcasts

Information is accurate as of March 21, 2024.

The article above was refined via automated technology and then fine-tuned and verified for accuracy by a member of our editorial team.

Caitlyn Moorhead contributed to the reporting for this article.

BEFORE YOU GO

See Today's Best
Banking Offers