--- title: Struggling to Make a Living as Independent Artist in the Streaming Era description: Struggling to make a living as an independent country artist? Learn how low streaming royalties and the high cost of music production affect artists like me. Discover how you can support independent music through merch purchases and membership in the Simple Life Society. image: https://toby.schuetgens.com/hubfs/AI-Generated%20Media/Images/The%20image%20of%20an%20independent%20country%20artist%20struggling%20to%20make%20a%20living%20in%20the%20streaming%20era%2c%20relying%20on%20selling%20merchandise%20and%20a%20monthly%20membership%20p.jpeg --- [Skip to content](https://toby.schuetgens.com/blog/struggling-to-make-a-living-as-independent-artist-in-the-streaming-era#main-content) [![](https://toby.schuetgens.com/hs-fs/hubfs/TS%20Swirls%20Logo%20Favicon.png?width=24&height=30&name=TS%20Swirls%20Logo%20Favicon.png)](https://toby.schuetgens.com) [Shop](https://schuetgens.com/) | [Homestead Nation Community](https://schuetgens.com/apps/single/membership#/join) ![TSM Header 86 26 Website 2](https://toby.schuetgens.com/hs-fs/hubfs/TSM%20Header%2086%2026%20Website%202.jpg?width=2000&height=601&name=TSM%20Header%2086%2026%20Website%202.jpg "TSM Header 86 26 Website 2") Nov 4, 2024, 11:51:03 AM # Struggling to Make a Living as Independent Artist in the Streaming Era ![Picture of Toby Schuetgens](https://toby.schuetgens.com/hs-fs/hubfs/42013990-01.jpeg?width=50&name=42013990-01.jpeg) [Toby Schuetgens](https://toby.schuetgens.com/blog/author/toby-schuetgens) Share: [facebook-f icon](http://www.facebook.com/share.php?u=https://toby.schuetgens.com/blog/struggling-to-make-a-living-as-independent-artist-in-the-streaming-era) [linkedin-in icon](http://www.linkedin.com/shareArticle?mini=true&url=https://toby.schuetgens.com/blog/struggling-to-make-a-living-as-independent-artist-in-the-streaming-era) [Twitter icon](https://twitter.com/intent/tweet?url=https://toby.schuetgens.com/blog/struggling-to-make-a-living-as-independent-artist-in-the-streaming-era) [pinterest-p icon](http://pinterest.com/pin/create/link/?url=https://toby.schuetgens.com/blog/struggling-to-make-a-living-as-independent-artist-in-the-streaming-era) [envelope icon](mailto:?body=https://toby.schuetgens.com/blog/struggling-to-make-a-living-as-independent-artist-in-the-streaming-era) Well, howdy folks. Let's talk about the good ol' music industry, specifically the part where a fella like me, an independent country artist, tries to make a livin'. It ain't easy, y'all. ## **The Streaming Struggle** Now, I love the idea of my music reachin' folks far and wide, thanks to these fancy streaming platforms. But let me tell ya, the pay ain't exactly what you'd call generous. We're talkin' about a measly 0.003 dollars per stream. That's right, a third of a cent! It's like tryin' to fill a boot with a thimble. ## **The Importance of Merch and the Simple Life Society** So, how's a fella supposed to pay the bills and keep the lights on? Well, it's a good ol' fashioned hustle, that's what it is. Sellin' a bit of merch, like some fine whiskey glasses or a sturdy coffee mug, helps a lot. It's a way for y'all to show your support and get a little somethin' cool in return. But if you really wanna help a brother out, consider joinin' the **Simple Life Society**. It's a monthly membership where you get exclusive perks, like early access to new music, behind-the-scenes footage, and even the chance to chat with me directly. It's a way to be a part of the journey and help keep the music comin'. ## **Let's Keep the Music Playin'** I appreciate every single one of y'all who listens to my music, buys my merch, or joins the Simple Life Society. Your support means the world to me. Together, we can keep the music playin' and keep the dream alive. ### **So, what do you say? Ready to join the ride?** [**Learn more about Simple Life Society Membership**](https://schuetgens.com/products/toby-schuetgens-simple-life-society) [musical journey](https://toby.schuetgens.com/blog/tag/musical-journey), [behind the scenes](https://toby.schuetgens.com/blog/tag/behind-the-scenes), [community](https://toby.schuetgens.com/blog/tag/community) ## Related posts [![](https://toby.schuetgens.com/hs-fs/hubfs/Jamey%20Johnson.png?height=200&name=Jamey%20Johnson.png)](https://toby.schuetgens.com/blog/what-toby-schuetgens-fans-also-like) [community](https://toby.schuetgens.com/blog/tag/community), [artists recommendation](https://toby.schuetgens.com/blog/tag/artists-recommendation), [what fans also like](https://toby.schuetgens.com/blog/tag/what-fans-also-like) ## [What Toby Schuetgens' Fans Also Like](https://toby.schuetgens.com/blog/what-toby-schuetgens-fans-also-like) ![Picture of Toby Schuetgens](https://toby.schuetgens.com/hs-fs/hubfs/42013990-01.jpeg?width=50&name=42013990-01.jpeg) [Toby Schuetgens](https://toby.schuetgens.com/blog/author/toby-schuetgens) Oct 22, 2024, 3:06:01 PM If you’re a fan of Toby Schuetgens' music, you’re likely drawn to artists who blend traditional... [Read more](https://toby.schuetgens.com/blog/what-toby-schuetgens-fans-also-like) [![](https://toby.schuetgens.com/hs-fs/hubfs/Thank%20God%20Im%20Country%20Header.png?height=200&name=Thank%20God%20Im%20Country%20Header.png)](https://toby.schuetgens.com/blog/about-me) ## [About 'Toby Schuetgens Music' Blog](https://toby.schuetgens.com/blog/about-me) ![Picture of Toby Schuetgens](https://toby.schuetgens.com/hs-fs/hubfs/42013990-01.jpeg?width=50&name=42013990-01.jpeg) [Toby Schuetgens](https://toby.schuetgens.com/blog/author/toby-schuetgens) Oct 14, 2024, 10:51:07 AM Hey y'all, I'm Toby Schuetgens, a german-born american soul, independent country artist attempting... [Read more](https://toby.schuetgens.com/blog/about-me) [![](https://toby.schuetgens.com/hs-fs/hubfs/Keep%20It%20Simple%20Keep%20It%20Real%20Header.png?height=200&name=Keep%20It%20Simple%20Keep%20It%20Real%20Header.png)](https://toby.schuetgens.com/blog/a-day-in-my-life) ## [A day in my life](https://toby.schuetgens.com/blog/a-day-in-my-life) ![Picture of Toby Schuetgens](https://toby.schuetgens.com/hs-fs/hubfs/42013990-01.jpeg?width=50&name=42013990-01.jpeg) [Toby Schuetgens](https://toby.schuetgens.com/blog/author/toby-schuetgens) Oct 14, 2024, 11:04:31 AM Howdy, y'all! [Read more](https://toby.schuetgens.com/blog/a-day-in-my-life) ## Remember when music had a story? ### This is the part the streaming services left out. You'd tear off the plastic, open the booklet, and sit there reading every lyric and seeing every photo. It felt **real**. That feeling is almost completely lost in a world of fast-scrolling feeds and an endless digital noise. Most music today is just background sound—one song after another without a story or a soul. But it doesn’t have to be that way. I believe music should have a story, and a raw, authentic connection. That's why I've created something to bring that feeling back. I've put together a playlist that's the soundtrack to my story, along with a free digital booklet that gets you behind the scenes. It's a way to hit pause on the world and connect with music the way it was meant to be experienced. ## Get Booklet now! [Follow us on Facebook](https://open.spotify.com/intl-de/artist/5Ke3sAcptTc59mGBlEYVjr?si=ivmcMdvgRUSGQGBFXGFe9g) [instagram icon](https://www.instagram.com/tshomesteadnation) [youtube icon](https://www.youtube.com/@tshomesteadnation) [facebook-f icon](https://www.facebook.com/tshomesteadnation) [Follow us on Facebook](https://www.tiktok.com/@tshomesteadnation) --- 838 Walker Rd., Suite 21-2, 19904 Dover DE USA Copyright © 2026, Schuetgens LLC ```json { "@context" : "https://schema.org", "@type" : "BlogPosting", "author" : { "@type" : "Person", "name" : "Toby Schuetgens", "url" : "https://toby.schuetgens.com/blog/author/toby-schuetgens" }, "dateModified" : "2024-11-04T10:51:03.262Z", "datePublished" : "2024-11-04T10:51:03.000Z", "headline" : "Struggling to Make a Living as Independent Artist in the Streaming Era", "image" : [ "https://toby.schuetgens.com/hubfs/AI-Generated%20Media/Images/The%20image%20of%20an%20independent%20country%20artist%20struggling%20to%20make%20a%20living%20in%20the%20streaming%20era%2c%20relying%20on%20selling%20merchandise%20and%20a%20monthly%20membership%20p.jpeg" ], "mainEntityOfPage" : { "@id" : "https://toby.schuetgens.com/blog/struggling-to-make-a-living-as-independent-artist-in-the-streaming-era", "@type" : "WebPage" }, "publisher" : { "@type" : "Organization", "logo" : { "@type" : "ImageObject", "url" : "https://toby.schuetgens.com/hubfs/TS%20Swirls%20Logo%20Favicon.png" }, "name" : "Simple Life Studio" } } ```