Ghost producing has carved its niche in the music industry, becoming especially vital as we move deeper into 2024. Whether you’re a seasoned music producer or just stepping into the realm of music production, understanding the dynamics of freelance ghost producing can open up lucrative opportunities. This guide unravels the mysteries of ghost producing, answer the most common questions and provide you with a clear path to a potential career in this field. Want to become a freelance ghost producer? Find ghost producer jobs today.
Let’s start with a definition. Freelance ghost producers are ghost producers who are not signed exclusively with a single artist or record label. They are available for a variety of music production projects and are free of non-compete agreements.
Freelance ghost producers are hired on a per project basis to help with a variety of music production tasks from songwriting to mixing and mastering. They help clients with a full scope of work from full tracks to helping bring clients tracks up to a professional level.
There are a lot of ghost producer job opportunities out there for those who are creative, hard working and specialize in any number of music genres. Since most touring DJs utilize ghost producers in one form or another, there are plenty of opportunities to go around.
In 2024, there are a variety of websites for ghost producers to leverage their skillset and get matched with touring DJs, singers and brands who need their help.
The best website for ghost producers is EDMGhostProducer.com. There are several other options that include Fiverr, Upwork and Soundbetter. Some have more distinct advantages over others such as specialization, pricing and the saturation of the marketplaces.
Pro Tip: Getting started with EDM Ghost Producer is extremely easy. You can submit an application, get verified and have your tracks listed within 24 hours. This ghost production marketplace is the first and most established with thousands of clients over the last 10 years. Send an application or a ghost producer job here.
Ghost producers make anywhere from $1,000-$10,000 per month and up. I understand that is a big range, but it depends greatly on the producer’s workflow and the amount of time they want to spend doing this type of work. On EDM Ghost Producer, producers sell tracks for upwards of $700-2,000 depending on the quality of the production.
Many producers in our network make between $1,000-3,000 per month with some earning more than $10,000. To date, EDM Ghost Producer has paid out nearly $4 Million to music producers worldwide.
Below are the most important factors to increase your earnings:
There are other factors that can help freelance ghost producers earn more, but these tips will help you get started earning.
Ghost producers can get royalties, but often do not collect royalties on the back end. Instead, most get an upfront fee or commission. This is always negotiated upfront with the client for freelance projects or indicated when producing in a marketplace.
Most marketplaces to buy ghost productions operate with full buy-outs meaning the client is purchasing the complete rights to the track. In this case, producers do not collect royalties, however, they do collect their up front fee right away.
In today’s music production ecosystem, royalties are not viewed with much importance. Since labels and streaming services eat into most streaming income, most DJs rely on their live shows for income and producers rely on these upfront and guaranteed payments for theirs .
How do ghost producers get paid?
Ghost producers get paid on a per track basis with a set amount that is negotiated up front. One of the primary benefits of this structure is that you know exactly how much you are going to get paid. If you sell tracks with a royalty-based structure, then you’ll receive income as the track performs. Again, this is less common these days unless you are producing in the pop or hip hop arena.
How much should ghost producers charge?
Freelance ghost producers should charge between $500-$1,000 per track on average. The amount will vary depending on the genre, production quality and uniqueness of the track. Our data at EDM Ghost Producer shows that average prices for tech house ghost productions are closer to $350 whereas Dubstep ghost productions are around $650. Of course this is just an average and we see tech house ghost productions sell upwards of $1,500 quite frequently.
You can become a ghost producer by applying on a ghost production network or finding freelance clients through outreach and your network. If you have accolades that you can share, this will significantly help with finding freelance clients. For example, if you’ve produced a major ghost production for Tiesto that you’re allowed to talk about, this will help you find clients quite simply.
For most freelance ghost producers, this is not the case. In the majority of instances, it makes the most sense to join a ghost producer network like EDM Ghost Producer who already drive thousands of artists looking for help on their productions. This will allow you to get clients fast and kick off your career as a freelance ghost producer.
Is Ghost Producing legal?
Yes, of course! Ghost producing is completely legal. Like any tangible or digital asset, music is indeed an asset. You are selling this asset or services to a buyer like any normal transaction.
Is Ghost Producing ethical?
Yes, ghost producing is ethical. This is where things can be a bit controversial. People say they value authenticity in music which is why some people are upset to find that their favorite DJ uses a ghost producer. In reality, the most popular artists on the planet use ghost producers. Djs like Tiesto, Calvin Harris, Marshmello, Martin Garrix and many others use ghost producers either as idea starters or full productions.
Finding ghost production clients has never been easier thanks to freelance marketplaces that allow producers to offer their services. Choose the best ghost producer marketplace, EDM Ghost Producer which is the longest running with more than $4M paid to freelance producers. You can apply and start selling the same day.
Alternatives include leveraging your existing network. This is especially powerful if you are already an established artist. Asking around in your network will help open up opportunities with other artists.
In 2024, many producers are starting their own freelance ghost production business. Given the demand for this service and the amount of money that can be made on a monthly basis, producers are able to turn this into a full time career. In short, it is entirely feasible to start a ghost production business.
Ghost producing has never been more popular than it is now in 2024. The marketplace model has helped open up opportunities for freelance ghost producers to get started with a career doing what they love with some producers earning up to $10,000 per month. Becoming a freelance ghost producer can be lucrative, fun and will help you develop your skills as a music producer. If you’d like to become a ghost producer, apply to join our network. We’d love to have you!
