A Guide for Side Gigs during Holidays

The holiday season is a time for joy, celebration, and…extra income! For drummers, this festive season presents a unique opportunity to utilize their passion and skills to earn some cash. Whether you’re a seasoned pro or a budding enthusiast, there’s a side hustle out there waiting for you. So, grab your sticks and get ready to rock your way to a merry and profitable holiday season.

Festive Gigs:

• Holiday Band: Dive headfirst into the festive spirit by joining a caroling group, church ensemble, or shopping center band to bring joyful music to holiday events. Network with local musicians or music directors to snag these opportunities.
• Private Parties and Events: Elevate the atmosphere and bring holiday cheer to private parties and corporate gatherings by offering your drumming services solo or as part of a band. Platforms like GigSalad and Thumbtack can help you connect with potential clients.
• Street Performing: Share your musical talent with the world and earn some extra cash by bringing your drumming to the streets of high-traffic areas. Deck out your set with festive decorations and let your holiday rhythms add cheer to the air.

Creative Ventures:

• Holiday-Themed Lessons: Share your passion with others by offering holiday-themed drumming lessons. Get creative and design a special program focused on popular holiday songs or teach students how to incorporate festive elements into their playing.
• Drum-Along Videos: Capture the spirit of the holidays and share your musical talents with a global audience by creating drum-along videos for popular holiday songs. Platforms like YouTube and TikTok offer a vast platform to showcase your festive beats.
• Online Drumming Courses: Craft and share your drumming knowledge by creating online courses. Whether teaching drumming basics or focusing on specific holiday-related techniques, this can be a rewarding and lucrative way to reach a global audience.
• Holiday Music Recording: Put your drumming skills to use by offering your services to studios or musicians who are recording holiday music. If you have a good recording setup, this can be a great way to earn while doing what you love.

Monetize Your Skills:

• Drumming-Related Crafts: Get creative and express your artistic side by creating unique drumming-related items to sell at holiday markets or online stores. This could include hand-painted drumsticks, custom percussion instruments, or holiday-themed artwork featuring drums.
• Music Tutoring: Expand your reach and share your knowledge with aspiring musicians of all ages by offering general music tutoring services. This can be a great way to earn extra income while fostering a love for music in others.
• Instrument Repair: Put your technical skills to good use by offering instrument repair services to other musicians. This can be a valuable service, especially during the busy holiday season when instruments see increased use.
• Music Merchandise: Design and sell your own music-themed merchandise, such as t-shirts, mugs, or stickers. This can be a fun way to express your creativity and brand yourself while earning some extra cash.

Beyond the Beat:

• Holiday Entertainment: Take your talents further by offering holiday-themed entertainment services. This could include interactive drumming workshops for children at holiday events, or even incorporating drumming into a festive theatrical performance.
• Online Music Collaboration: Connect with other musicians online and collaborate on creating and performing holiday music. Platforms like Soundtrap and Splice offer tools and communities to facilitate remote music collaboration.
• Composing Holiday Music: Put your musical creativity to the test by composing your own original holiday music. You can license your music for use in films, commercials, or sell it directly on platforms like Bandcamp or Spotify.

Making the Most of Your Holiday Hustle:

• Effective Promotion: Utilize social media, online platforms, and networking to get your name out there and showcase your talents. Create a professional website or online portfolio highlighting your experience and services.
• Professionalism Matters: Treat every gig with professionalism, communicate clearly, arrive on time, and deliver a high-quality performance. Remember, your reputation is key to securing future opportunities.
• Competitive Rates: Research the going rate for drummers in your area and price your services accordingly. Be open to negotiating rates based on the specific gig and your experience.
• Flexibility is Key: Adapt your services to meet the needs of your clients and be open to new opportunities. Consider offering package deals or discounts for multiple gigs.
• Enjoy the Ride: Remember, drumming should be fun! Choose gigs you find engaging and exciting to make the most of your holiday hustle.

Additional Tips:

• Network with other musicians and music professionals. They may have leads on gigs or collaborations.
• Invest in high-quality equipment and gear. This will make you look and sound professional.
• Learn new skills and techniques. This will make you more marketable