If you work a lot, and move around a lot (see new audiences) and have a few different CDs to sell, as an independent artist you can make a buck - but it's hard to make many. Some do better at sales then others. You sell more at concerts and festivals then you do at pubs ... you have to see new people all the time or have new CDs to sell 'em.

Radio airtime helps ... I've sold CDs on-line (amazon and cdbaby) after every live show I've done. That feels good, but on-line is my smallest profit (amazon and cdbaby take 60 and 45% respectively). I've sold a couple hundred or so on-line and about 1500 off the stage. I created just over 2000 and have about 150 left - in two years. Not much profit for making a living - but it is building. I have a new one about to come out, and I expect it will do much better. I also expect sales to be rekindled (on-line) in the old one as the new gets airtime, if it gets airtime.

I realize I am luckier then many independent artists in that I've sold out my first run of CDs. I have worked at it - pushing it to radio (especially in Ireland) - pushing it for the stage, as much as I am comfortable. I travel enough and perform enough, that after selling 1 to 20 or so at every place I play, I'm about sold out. BUT - without record company volumes, I can't really call the income much more the tips!

As an indi, I amy get more pices of the pie ... but it is a much smaller pie1 A record label can get you everywhere, but you loose most of the profit ... it's trade off.