To say these are trying times would be an understatement. While we won’t go over all of the ins and outs of the Coronavirus outbreak since it’s on the news every day, we do want to focus on how it’s impacting musicians and artists, and what you can do, financially, to get through this rough patch. Obviously, musicians aren’t touring or playing their most popular gigs right now to avoid gathering large groups together.
Many musicians have side jobs to make ends meet and pay the bills. Unfortunately, most states have now closed restaurants or have limited them to take-out only. Some restaurants will be closed through March, and others well into April. The “plan” seems to change every day.
The job impact of COVID-19 is huge. According to the Department of Labor, between March 8-14, over 281,000 Americans filed for unemployment benefits.
Thankfully, there are some places that are still hiring and even showing a growing need during this scary time, so, if you’re in need of a job and you’re not sure when you’ll be able to get back to your normal routine, you might benefit from picking up something temporarily. Let’s go over a few of the best options to keep you on your feet.
One easy way to make some extra cash right now is to work for a company that provides rides to others. You might not think that driving for others would be a lucrative business right now, but people still need to go out to obtain their essentials, especially the elderly. If you have the right kind of car that is safe, reliable, and roomy, it could be a perfect part-time job.
Being able to drive people who can’t do it themselves to pick up medications, food, and other supplies will not only help to support you financially, but you’ll also be doing your part to help serve others during these times of uncertainty when it’s important to band together.
If you’re watching the news, you’ve probably seen how grocery stores have been hugely impacted by the Coronavirus threat. Even though there isn’t a shortage of food or even things like toilet paper in this country, panic buying and buying in bulk has caused store shelves to be empty.
As a result, grocery store chains are hiring additional people to stock shelves and check out customers to keep things as close to normal as possible. In addition, grocery delivery companies are hiring more shoppers and drivers to deliver groceries to those who can’t or don’t want to get out of their houses at this time.
Meal delivery services are also important right now. Regardless of current circumstances, people still need to eat. These jobs offer you flexibility, but can also pay well if you stay busy enough.
If you have the skills, you may be able to find temporary employment online. Remote meeting companies like Zoom and Slack are looking for technical support staff since so many people are now depending on holding meetings online due to remote working. These companies need to keep things running smoothly so businesses can continue to let their employees work from home.
If you have an educational background, you can also work in remote or online learning. Millions of kids are out of school and could be for the next several weeks. You could offer virtual tutoring services. If you have a degree in teaching, you could work for various online teaching venues which are currently hiring thousands of teachers to help kids learn online, and, even though it’s not a digital job, you can also look into providing childcare or nannying services for younger children who may be out of school but who have parents who still need to work.
Whenever you’re looking for a job online and you have to fill in important information, remember to take the proper steps to protect your privacy. The last thing you want in these stressful times is another headache. Be cautious and careful during your job hunt. Sign your name with caution, be careful what you post on social media, and make sure your resume doesn’t give away too much important information.
Even though asking for financial support shouldn’t be your main source of income right now, it doesn’t hurt to let your fans know you need their help. Many musicians have opted to give free live-streamed concerts over the last several weeks, and it’s a trend that looks to continue. That’s a great way to stay connected with your fans and supporters and encourage them to buy your music.
There are many resources available to help musicians and artists right now:
Pay-What-You-Want sites: Sites like Bandcamp allow fans to pay whatever they feel is appropriate for your songs or entire albums. Promoting your music on these platforms gives your fans the freedom to support you however they can.
Selling merchandise: If you have band merch, you can encourage fans to buy it through your website as a quick way to support you. Be sure to tell them that shipping may be delayed due to the current pandemic.
Pre-orders: If you have a new album you’re working on, you can stir up buzz for it by making it available for pre-order. It’s a great way to make some money now, when you need it most.
Make a donation: There’s no shame in asking your fans for donations or to support you using a crowdfunding campaign.
While it’s normal to feel a little uncertain during these times, keep in mind that this won’t last forever. Eventually, your gigs will return and tours will resume, at which time you’ll be able to once again connect with fans on a more personal basis. For now, however, finding temporary work may be necessary to keep yourself above water.