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The Recording Academy New York Chapter hosted an illuminating, resource-rich discussion on where and how income is generated in today’s music business – here’s what you missed about how to make music for a living.

Making a living in the music industry has always been tough. In fact, leveraging creativity for profit has challenged artists for centuries. But today’s music professional faces not only the need to create work that has value, but perhaps more the daunting task of identifying where and how to make a living off of music.

To that end, the Recording Academy New York Chapter and their Professional Development Committee held an event titled “Finding the Money” at the Bryant Park Hotel in Manhattan on Mar. 28. New York Chapter Executive Director Nick Cucci welcomed music industry leaders in attendance for a panel discussion on how independent creatives can maximize their revenue and avoid costly pitfalls and miscommunications by using creative financial strategies.

Moderated by Chris Carroll a lobbyist for Yoswein New York, the panel discussion included Binta Brown, Founder of Fermata Entertainment and Big Mouth Records; Alex Heiche, Founder and CEO of Sound Royalties; Richard Barone, singer/songwriter and front man for The Bongos; and Neeta Ragoowansi, SVP and Co-Founder of NPREX.

With music in their hearts and money on their minds, here are four key takeaways from the panelists and their dynamic and informative discussion.