Start AI Music

Start AI Music

Affiliate Disclaimer

This page contains affiliate links, which means I may earn a commission if you click through and make a purchase at no additional cost to you. My recommendations are based on real experience and practical use—not just theory. If it provides value, the results will speak for themselves. My goal is to lead by example, demonstrating how independent AI music creators can leverage the right tools for real growth without falling into the common pitfalls of misinformation. This is a marathon, not a sprint.

Introduction: The Side Hustle Journey

When I started building my AI music brand, I wasn’t working with a big budget. My goal was simple: reach 500 daily hits, gain 300 Spotify followers, and start making side hustle revenue—without spending more than absolutely necessary.

If you’re in the same position, trying to break into AI music while keeping costs low, this guide will walk you through the most affordable yet effective tools and strategies I used to get started.

At this stage, it’s important to focus on what can work now rather than chasing monetization strategies that require an established presence. For example, while licensing music for TV and film is lucrative, it’s not a realistic avenue for AI-generated artists just starting out. Instead, the focus should be on building a brand, growing an audience, and leveraging AI tools effectively.

1. Essential Tools for AI Music Creation & Branding

🎵 Suno AI (Free or Paid)

  • Why? Suno AI is the foundation of AI music creation, offering a powerful toolset for generating high-quality songs.
  • Options: Free and paid subscriptions available depending on usage needs.
  • Sign up for Suno AI and earn 250 free credits

💻 Mobile vs. Computer for Content Development

  • Why? You need a device capable of processing a full content development cycle:
    • Creating songs in Suno AI
    • Mixing & mastering in Audacity or BandLab (Free or Paid)
    • Distributing with DistroKid (Paid)
    • Creating visuals in Canva (Free or Paid)
    • Editing videos in CapCut (Free or Paid)

💡 My Perspective: While mobile devices are more than capable of handling content creation (and account for over 60% of web traffic), I personally prefer working on a computer for full control. That said, mobile can be an excellent tool for quick edits, social media content, and managing engagement.

2. The Cheapest Recording & Distribution Setup

🎤 Free & Budget-Friendly Mixing Software

  • Audacity (Free) – Simple, open-source mixing tool.
  • BandLab (Free or Paid) – Cloud-based music production.

📡 Music Distribution Platform

💡 My Tip: If you're serious about monetizing AI music, investing in DistroKid is essential for making your work widely available.

3. Branding & Content Creation on a Budget

📢 Canva (Free or Paid)

  • Why? Essential for creating album covers, social media posts, and website content.
  • Try Canva for Free

🎬 CapCut (Free or Paid)

  • Why? Helps add graphics, captions, and effects to social media videos.
  • Download CapCut

🛠️ Shopify - The Foundation of My Business

  • Why? Shopify is how I manage my entire AI music business, including my website, digital downloads, and product sales. Unlike other platforms, Shopify allows for full customization, better analytics, and seamless integration with tools like DistroKid and Canva.
  • Best For: Independent artists looking to control their brand and maximize sales.
  • Start Your Shopify Store

🆚 Shopify vs. Bandcamp (Paid & Free Options)

  • Shopify – Used for managing an online store, integrating all revenue streams.
  • Bandcamp (Free or Low-Fee) – Alternative for hosting and selling music.
  • Sell on Bandcamp

💡 My Tip: If you’re just starting, Bandcamp is a great free option before upgrading to Shopify for full control. However, if you plan on scaling, Shopify is the best long-term solution.

4. Leveraging AI to Streamline Growth

🧠 ChatGPT (Free or Paid)

  • Why? Acts as a general guide for literally everything.
  • Caution: Be mindful—GPT is powerful but can generate misleading information if misused.
  • Try ChatGPT

🎨 AI Image Generation

  • ChatGPT Image Creator – Useful for quick visuals.
  • Leonardo AI – More advanced AI-generated imagery.
  • Try Leonardo AI

💡 My Tip: AI tools help streamline content creation, but always double-check outputs before publishing.

Final Thoughts: The Power of Starting Small

If you’re trying to reach 500 hits/day, grow your audience, and start making side hustle money, this budget-friendly setup is the best way to get started with minimal costs. Every tool I used in this stage of my journey was carefully chosen for maximum impact at the lowest price.

The key is to start with what you have and reinvest as you grow. Once you start gaining traction, you’ll be ready for Stage 2 – Growth & Expansion Mode, where quality and capacity become the focus.

What’s next? Let me know if you want more details on any of these tools or strategies!