As a DJ, if you’ve started making money, it can reveal a host of opportunities. In 2025, the smartest DJs are building passive income streams to create stability between gigs, reduce burnout and fund long-term creative growth.

If you’re looking to diversify your earnings beyond live gigs and club sets, these passive income ideas will help you earn even when you’re off-air or off-site.

Streaming royalties and music publishing

One of the most foundational passive income streams for DJs who produce music is royalties and publishing. When you release your tracks (singles, EPs, albums) to streaming platforms, every stream generates a small royalty. Over time, with enough catalogue and plays, this becomes meaningful.

Mixcloud also offers DJs a licensing-friendly streaming model that ensures artists and rights-holders get paid. This is perfect if your sets include other people’s tracks, or if your music is included in mixes.

Another potentially lucrative lane is sync licensing. This is getting your music placed in TV, film, adverts and games, which often generate one-off fees and ongoing royalty streams.

To maximize your earning potential here, there are a few things to tick off:

1. Make sure you’re registered with the correct rights organisations. If you’re based in the UK, these are organizations like PRS for Music and PPL. Meanwhile, ASCAP and BMI are the go-tos if you live in the USA.
2. Build a back catalogue of tracks and consistently promote them so that your streams stand a chance of increasing. Think of creative ways in which you can continue to shine light on your music.
3. Actively pitch for sync opportunities with libraries and agencies. Places like A&G Sync, Sync Republic and Twelve Decibels in the UK, Musicbed and PLB Sync in the USA and Spine Sounds in Asia are good places to start.

Sample packs, sound kits and presets

For the DJ who also produces or creates unique sounds, sample packs can be a great passive income stream. If you’re tirelessly creating, you can leverage them and put them up for sale. Other producers always need fresh drums, loops and presets, so you can create once and sell many. Packs and kits leverage your brand and unique sound style so fans and fellow producers can be inspired by it, buy and potentially emulate it.

To get started, you should consider picking a niche. Things like ‘Garage Bass pack’ or ‘Deep House loops’ that you can make music for. Then package the kit professionally; give them clear naming and make sure they’re made in high audio quality. Upload and host the content on your website or other platforms; look into the likes of Loopmasters or Splice which are world famous music libraries. Then, let your followers and communities know that your packs are for sale. 

Podcast or radio show sponsorship

If you’re already hosting a radio show or podcast or creating audio content, you can monetise it passively over time. Podcasts also allow ad/sponsor placements, and once episodes are live they have the potential to accumulate. 

But before thinking about earning, define your niche topic. Your show can feature mixes, interviews or dissections of music culture; whatever aligns with your audience. Then, to place yourself in a stronger position, you should look to record and publish regularly, as a consistent schedule matters. Mainly because you need to build an audience that will entice sponsors to part with their money for you. Once you have listeners or subscribers, look for sponsors or affiliate links tailored to DJs or music gear.

Equipment reviews

Your DJ experience gives you credibility when recommending gear or services. Therefore, you can look to get a little creative and start reviewing equipment for your audience. Assess their pros and cons, your experiences with them and price points. When you gear review or showcase tech you use (controllers, headphones, software), you can include affiliate links and get commission for your efforts. Not to mention some free kit!

To start, pick gear you genuinely use and like. Then, put together written reviews or record videos. Then, track how well your content is doing with the potential to present the data to your affiliate brand to convince them to sponsor you. Over time, your reviews can form a library of evergreen content that keeps generating clicks. Post them on YouTube, your website and even embed links in your Mixcloud show descriptions. That cross-platform presence helps in the pursuit of brand partnerships.

Fan memberships or exclusive content

If you’re building a loyal following on Mixcloud, consider activating Subscriptions, which lets fans subscribe to your profile for a monthly fee. You can offer early access to mixes, shows or bonus content. Another function enabling you to make money is through Tips. These are secure one-off payments your fans can give you while you live stream. 80% goes to you and 20% is split between transaction fees and Mixcloud. Not only can you take that money home yourself, but you can also receive tips for other occasions. With Subscriptions and Tips, you have simple and effective ways to turn your Mixcloud audience into recurring income.

Platforms like Patreon also enable DJs to create membership tiers where fans pay monthly for exclusive mixes, behind-the-scenes access or early content drops. It’s one of the easiest ways to build reliable, recurring income and it deepens your connection with your most loyal listeners. It’s a win-win: you earn predictable revenue and your fans get closer access to your creative world.

Here are some quick tips for success:

1. Create two or three membership tiers (e.g., £3/$4/€3.40 a month for exclusive mixes, £10/$13/€11.30month for early access).
2. Deliver regular updates — fans stay subscribed when they see consistent value.
3. Promote your membership at the end of each Mixcloud upload or live stream.

Think outside the box

For DJs, passive income isn’t about doing nothing. It’s about creating assets that work for you even when you’re not spinning. By building a portfolio of passive income streams — from Mixcloud monetisation to affiliate partnerships — you can turn your DJ career into a scalable business. Start small, stay consistent and watch your passive income as a DJ grow over time.

Learn more in our full guide on how to make money as a DJ.