How to Make Money with AI: Selling Music & Soundtracks

Imagine earning money from music—even if you’ve never played an instrument or studied composition. With AI-generated music, it’s now possible. AI tools can compose original songs, soundtracks, and audio effects that you can sell online or license to creators, advertisers, and businesses.

In this guide, we’ll cover how to create, market, and sell AI-generated music, step by step, with tools, strategies, and real-life examples so you can start earning today.

Why AI Music Is a Profitable Side Hustle

• High demand: Content creators, YouTubers, game developers, and businesses need music and sound effects constantly.

• Low barrier to entry: You don’t need music theory knowledge—AI handles composition.

• Scalable: One track can generate income multiple times through licensing.

• Fast creation: Produce a song in minutes, not days.

• Flexible monetization: Sell directly, license, or offer subscriptions.

💡 Pro tip: Focus on niches like background music, ambient tracks, or royalty-free soundscapes for content creators—they are always in demand.

Step 1: Choose Your AI Music Tool

Several beginner-friendly tools allow you to generate professional-quality music:

Soundraw

• What it does: AI generates royalty-free music based on mood, genre, and length.

• Pros: Customize tempo, instruments, and structure.

• Pricing: Free trial, paid subscription for downloads.

• Link: soundraw.io

AIVA

• What it does: AI composer for cinematic music, orchestral tracks, and background scores.

• Pros: High-quality compositions suitable for videos, games, and ads.

• Pricing: Free basic plan, paid for commercial licensing.

• Link: aiva.ai

Amper Music

• What it does: AI music generator designed for video content creators.

• Pros: Simple interface, customizable style, instant previews.

• Pricing: Free trial, subscription for full access.

• Link: ampermusic.com

💡 Tip: Experiment with multiple tools to find the style that fits your target audience best.

Step 2: Generate Your First Tracks

Actionable Steps:

1. Pick a genre or mood: Chill, cinematic, upbeat, electronic, or lo-fi.

2. Set the track length: Short loops for YouTube videos or full-length background music.

3. Select instruments: Piano, guitar, synths, drums, or orchestral.

4. Adjust structure: Intro, build-up, drop, outro—AI can generate variations automatically.

5. Preview and refine: Generate multiple versions and pick the best one.

💡 Pro tip: Create theme packs (e.g., 5–10 tracks with similar style) to sell as a bundle.

Step 3: Polish Your Music

Even AI-generated tracks may need a touch of human refinement:

• Use free or low-cost DAWs (Digital Audio Workstations) like Audacity, FL Studio, or GarageBand to:

  • Adjust volume levels

  • Add transitions or effects

  • Loop tracks for longer use

• Tag your tracks properly with metadata: genre, mood, tempo.

Why it matters: Clean, well-labeled tracks are more professional and attractive to buyers.

Step 4: Build a Portfolio

Before selling, create a small online portfolio:

• Upload 5–10 tracks showcasing different moods or styles.

• Include short previews (15–30 seconds) for sampling.

• Use SoundCloud, Bandcamp, or a personal website to host your portfolio.

💡 Tip: Even AI-generated tracks for imaginary projects can demonstrate your skills.

Step 5: Monetization Options

Here’s how you can make money from your AI music:

1. Sell on Marketplaces

• Platforms: AudioJungle, Pond5, BeatStars, Bandcamp

• Action: Upload your tracks, set your price, and earn royalties per sale.

2. License to Content Creators

• Offer royalty-free music packages to YouTubers, podcasters, or Twitch streamers.

• Action: Promote via Instagram, LinkedIn, or freelance platforms.

3. Freelance Projects

• Compose custom AI-generated tracks for clients (ads, games, or apps).

• Platforms: Fiverr, Upwork, Freelancer

4. Subscription Model

• Sell access to your music library for a monthly fee.

• Platforms: Patreon, Gumroad, or self-hosted subscription.

5. YouTube or TikTok Channels

• Monetize AI-generated music videos or background tracks for shorts.

• Combine with royalty-free visuals for automated income streams.

💡 Tip: Always check commercial licensing rules of AI tools—some tracks require paid plans for commercial use.

Step 6: Marketing & Promotion

• Create short video previews with platforms like Canva, Pictory, or InVideo.

• Target small businesses, content creators, and indie game developers.

• Use hashtags like #RoyaltyFreeMusic, #AIComposer, #BackgroundMusic.

• Offer free samples in exchange for email addresses to build a mailing list.

💡 Pro tip: Bundle music tracks into mood or genre packs—buyers prefer ready-to-use collections.

Step 7: Real-Life Example

Meet Maya, 22

Maya used AIVA and Soundraw to generate cinematic music tracks. By selling 5-track packs on AudioJungle and offering freelance custom soundtracks on Fiverr, she made $500/month part-time. Within 6 months, she expanded to YouTube channel music bundles, earning over $1,200/month.

Key takeaway: AI allows fast production and low-cost experimentation, making it easier to test multiple monetization strategies.

Tools & Resources

Tool	Purpose	Free/Paid	Link
Soundraw	AI-generated royalty-free music	Free/Paid	soundraw.io
AIVA	AI music composer for cinematic tracks	Free/Paid	aiva.ai
Amper Music	AI music for videos and ads	Free/Paid	ampermusic.com
Audacity	Audio editing and refinement	Free	audacityteam.org
Fiverr	Freelance music gigs	Free	fiverr.com
AudioJungle	Music marketplace for licensing	Paid	audiojungle.net
Canva	Create video previews and promo content	Free/Paid	canva.com

💡 Mini-guide: Generate music → polish tracks in Audacity → showcase on portfolio → sell on marketplaces or freelance.

Quick Action Steps

1. Sign up for Soundraw or AIVA.

2. Generate 3–5 sample tracks in different genres.

3. Refine tracks with Audacity.

4. Build an online portfolio with previews.

5. Start selling: marketplaces, freelance projects, or subscription packs.

6. Promote to content creators, businesses, and indie developers.

💡 Bonus tip: Track trending music genres on YouTube Shorts and TikTok to create high-demand AI tracks.

AI music is fast, scalable, and beginner-friendly. Don’t wait—sign up for Soundraw or AIVA, create your first tracks, and start selling today.

For more guidance, download our free guide: “50 AI Tools to Kickstart Your Freelance Career” and turn your creativity into income.

AI-generated music empowers anyone to produce professional tracks quickly. By combining AI tools with simple editing, marketing, and packaging, you can build a profitable side hustle or even full-time business.

Remember: AI is not replacing creativity—it’s amplifying it. Start small, experiment, and scale your music business for sustainable income.