On digital distribution platforms such as iTunes, Amazon or Beatport, musicians usually receive around 70% of the sales price. For example, if you sell your track for €0.99, you will receive 70%, i.e. €0.69, if the sale is successful. This does not include shares for labels or distributors.

With streaming services such as Spotify, Amazon Prime, TikTok, Facebook, etc., musicians are not paid directly for the sale of their music. You receive a percentage payment based on the number of streams your song generates. The exact remuneration per stream varies depending on the platform, the country in which the music is listened to and the type of subscription the listener has.

As well as earning money from selling or streaming your song, you can also earn income from live performances, merchandising and royalties for the use of your music in collaborations with other artists such as films, TV shows and commercials. To do this, you work with collecting societies together.

How much do musicians earn? Income on various streaming platforms

As a musician or songwriter, your income varies considerably depending on the platform:

For downloads via iTunes or other download stores, your share is around €0.50 - €0.70 per song sold. With FEIYR you can publish on all these platforms simultaneously and receive 80% of the revenue*.

Billing models of the various platforms

How much do you earn on Spotify?

The earnings through Spotify varies depending on various factors such as premium vs. free users, country of the listener and total volume of streams. With Spotify, billing is not based directly on the absolute number of streams, but on a share system. Around 70% of premium subscriptions and advertising revenue is distributed to the rights holders. On average, you can expect the following amounts:

Sample calculation Spotify:

• On average approx. 0.003 - 0.005 € per stream
• 100,000 streams on Spotify ≈ 300 - 500 €

As a FEIYR artist, you keep 80% of this revenue*, which means that you would receive around €240 - €400 for 100,000 streams.

How does Apple Music billing work?

Apple Music generally pays slightly higher amounts per stream than Spotify, as the business model is based exclusively on paid subscriptions.

Apple Music calculation example:

• On average approx. 0.007 - 0.01 € per stream
• 100,000 streams on Apple Music ≈ €700 - €1,000 gross revenue
• In this case, your share via FEIYR (80%)* is around €560 - €800

How much money can I earn with my music on TikTok?

TikTok uses a more complex billing model based on the use of music in videos.

TikTok calculation example:

• The remuneration at TikTok is approx. 0.0002 - 0.0003 € per video creation with your song
• With 100,000 videos created with your song ≈ 20 - 30 € gross revenue
• Your share via FEIYR (80%)* is around € 16 - 24

How is my music remunerated on Meta?

Facebook and Instagram use a flat-rate licensing system in which revenue is distributed based on total usage.

Calculation example Facebook/Instagram:

• On average approx. 0.0005 - 0.001 € per use in a video/story/reel
• With 100,000 uses ≈ 50 - 100 € gross revenue
• Your share via FEIYR (80%)*: approx. 40 - 80 €

Combination of different platforms: Total revenue example

Assuming your song achieves the following results:

• 50,000 streams on Spotify: €150 - €250 (before FEIYR fee)
• 20,000 streams on Apple Music: €140 - €200 (before FEIYR fee)
• 200,000 TikTok videos: €40 - €60 (before FEIYR fee)
• 100,000 Facebook/Instagram uses: €50 - €100 (before FEIYR fee)

Total revenue:* 380 - 610 €

Your share after FEIYR fee (80%): 304 - 488 €

How much does a musician earn per song on the radio?

In Germany, radio performances are mainly billed via the GVL. The amount of remuneration depends on various factors:

• Broadcasting time (prime time vs. night program)
• Reach of the station
• Length of the excerpt played
• Status of the artist with GEMA

An example: At a medium-sized radio station, a complete song in prime time can earn around €20 - €50 in GEMA royalties for your music. For large, national stations, the amounts can be significantly higher.

Who is involved?

Several parties earn money from a song:

• Composer and lyricist (author) - via collecting societies such as GEMA
• Musicians, singers, producers (performing artists) - via the GVL (Society for the Exploitation of Neighboring Rights)
• Label/rights holder - via direct contracts and GVL
   

An example: At a medium-sized radio station, a complete song in prime time can bring in around € 20 - 50 in GEMA royalties for your music. For large, national stations, the amounts can be significantly higher.

FEIYR supports you in placing your music with radio stations in the DACH region, but the GEMA & GVL settlement takes place directly between you and the collecting society.

Selling music for advertising: The most lucrative business model

One of the most profitable ways to earn money with your music is to sell licenses for advertising, films or TV productions. However, the actual remuneration varies greatly - depending on the duration of use, reach, medium and popularity of the track. Here are some average guidelines:

• Local TV/radio advertising: €500 - €2,000
• National TV advertising: € 2,000 - 10,000
• International campaigns: €10,000 - €50,000+
• Web/social media advertising: € 300 - 3,000
• Film music (indie): 500 - 5.000 €
• Film music (major): 5.000 - 50.000+ €

FEIYR supports you in marketing your music for such licensing purposes and helps you draft contracts so that you receive fair conditions.

Royalties & your music: How FEIYR billing works

With FEIYR, you receive 80% of the revenue from sales or streams, while only 20% goes to us as a service fee. This transparent billing allows you to view your earnings in real time in your statistics and see exactly what you are earning. As an artist, you can also claim ancillary copyrights if your music is performed in public.

Earnings are credited to your FEIYR account on a weekly basis and the billing cycles vary depending on the platform (usually 90 days delay). A payout from your FEIYR account is possible from a balance of €25 and you can choose between a bank transfer or PayPal. Please note that the processing time for withdrawals is approx. 2 working days.

The FEIYR advantage & why we are your best partner

FEIYR offers you as a musician decisive advantages:

1. Maximum participation: You keep 80% of all earnings*
2. Full transparency: statistics on all streams and downloads
3. Global distribution: release on over 300 platforms worldwide
4. No hidden costs: clear fee structure with no surprises
5. Professional promotion: Support with the marketing of your music
6. Legal security: Help with protecting your copyrights
7. Flexibility: No long-term contracts, you retain full control

As you can see, the income per song varies greatly depending on the distribution channel and popularity. With FEIYR as your partner, you not only maximize your revenue, but also retain all rights to your music. We help you to get the most out of your releases - whether on streaming services, downloads or licensing deals such as the sale of music for advertising.

*Net revenue from 3rd parties billed to us.