This is How I Make Money as a Composer (Without Writing Music for a Living)

Business model

Christopher Siu earns a living through music-related work without relying on composing music for films, games, or other clients. This allows him to stay involved in music while retaining more freedom over what and when he creates.

He groups his income into three categories:

1. Online education and coaching — approximately 60–70%

   • He began building an audience on YouTube in 2017 by sharing orchestral tracks and breakdowns of how he made them.
   • He launched his first comprehensive online course in 2020 and has introduced new programs over time.
   • He sells structured courses and communities for asynchronous learning, as well as group, personalized, and private coaching. Coaching includes music reviews and regular feedback.
   • He describes education and coaching as his largest and relatively reliable income source, supported by new people discovering his content and his audience growing.

2. Affiliate income, royalties, and YouTube advertising — smaller, relatively passive income

   • Affiliate commissions make up the largest part of this category. Siu prefers ongoing commissions to one-time sponsorship payments, but only promotes products he uses and likes.
   • Royalties from compositions registered with SOCAN generate roughly a few hundred dollars per quarter.
   • YouTube advertising brings in up to a few hundred dollars per month and accounts for a small share of his total income.
   • He also makes videos about products he likes even when the developer does not offer an affiliate program.

3. Piano accompaniment — approximately 30%

   • Drawing on his classical piano background, Siu accompanies mostly singers, particularly musical-theater performers.
   • Work is concentrated around competitions and festivals, typically from November through June or July.
   • He is paid for rehearsals and competition performances. Unlike courses or affiliate content, this is active income tied to his time and presence.
   • Working with singers has also contributed to a children’s musical-theater album he hopes to release in April or May 2027.

The percentages are approximate. The video estimates education and accompaniment income but does not provide exact totals or a full breakdown of the remaining share.

Business playbook and lessons

• Build an audience before selling structured products: Siu started with YouTube content featuring music and process breakdowns, gradually developing an audience before launching courses.
• Turn expertise into a learning pathway: His programs aim to guide students from initial ideas through to finished music, rather than offering only isolated tips.
• Combine scalable and high-touch offers: Courses and communities support asynchronous learning, while coaching offers personalized, recurring feedback for students who want closer support.
• Protect trust in affiliate marketing: Promote relevant products you genuinely use rather than accepting every opportunity. Treat commissions as a bonus to useful content, not as a reason to endorse products indiscriminately.
• Balance active and less-active income: Accompaniment exchanges time for money, while courses, affiliate links, royalties, and monetized videos can continue earning after the initial work.
• Choose an income model that supports creative goals: Siu’s approach keeps music central to his work without making commissioned composition his primary source of income. He also notes that a stable, unrelated job can provide a similar separation for people who prefer to make music for enjoyment.

Metrics and timelines

• YouTube channel started: 2017
• First comprehensive online course launched: 2020
• Online education and coaching: about 60–70% of income
• Piano accompaniment: about 30% of income
• Royalties: a few hundred dollars per quarter
• YouTube advertising: up to a few hundred dollars per month
• Festival and competition season: typically November through June or July
• Planned children’s musical-theater album: April or May 2027

Presenter and references

• Presenter: Christopher Siu
• Other people and organizations mentioned: Ryan Leach, SOCAN, and the University of Toronto