We created Amplify Merch to support artists, bands, and small businesses—to take the weight of merch off your shoulders so you can focus on creating, performing, running the day-to-day of your business, and growing your brand.
But lately, we’ve hit a few bumps in the road.
🚫 Stores are live—but fans & customers don’t know they exist. 🚫 Designs are finished—but they’re not being shared. 🚫 Orders are slow to non-existent, and momentum is fading.
Let’s be real—we believe in this. 100%. We believe in artists. We believe in community. We believe in building something bigger than any one of us.
But this only works when we’re all in.
We’re still doing our part—creating designs, running ads, fulfilling orders, managing stores, and making sure the backend runs smoothly. But we can’t do it alone.
We need you to show up: 📢 Share your merch 📢 Tag us in your posts 📢 Promote your store like you believe in it 📢 Tell your fans where to find it
If you’re ready to grow, we’re here and fired up to grow with you. If you’re not—that’s okay too. But have to be more intentional about where we invest our energy moving forward.
And if you’ve outgrown Amplify Merch, or if it’s just not the right fit anymore—no hard feelings. Just let us know, and we’ll remove your items to make room for those actively building with us.
We’re here for the doers, the dreamers, and the teams that want to rise together.
Choosing a Business Structure: LLC, S Corp, Corporation, and Incorporated
Starting a band can mean diving into a new world of business choices. Before committing to an LLC, it helps to know the main business structure options and what each one brings to the table. Here’s a quick breakdown of the most common structures and what makes them different:
LLC (Limited Liability Company)
Best for: Small groups or partnerships looking for flexibility and liability protection.
Key Benefits: With an LLC, you get personal asset protection, tax flexibility, and simple management rules, making it an accessible choice for bands. An LLC lets you pass profits directly to members (avoiding double taxation) and allows expenses like equipment and travel to be tax-deductible. Each member’s share of ownership and responsibilities can also be clearly laid out.
Management: Fairly straightforward, with fewer rules on meetings and record-keeping compared to a corporation.
2. S Corporation (S Corp)
Best for: Small-to-medium businesses with more established income and shareholders (up to 100).
Key Benefits: An S Corp is technically a corporation but offers “pass-through” taxation, meaning profits go directly to shareholders, avoiding corporate taxes. This structure has more requirements and may come with stricter regulations, such as paying out “reasonable salaries” to members actively working in the band. For bands expecting larger revenue and consistency, this could be an option, though S Corps are generally more formal than LLCs.
Management: S Corps require a board of directors, regular meetings, and strict record-keeping—things that aren’t always practical for bands starting out.
3. Corporation (C Corporation)
Best for: Large businesses or those seeking to bring in major investment.
Key Benefits: Corporations are completely separate from their owners (shareholders) and are ideal for large-scale businesses that plan to raise capital through investors. However, they face “double taxation” (profits are taxed at the corporate level and again on shareholder dividends) and are highly regulated, with strict requirements for record-keeping, meetings, and documentation.
Management: A C Corporation requires a board of directors, formal shareholder meetings, and detailed records. While corporations offer the strongest liability protection, they may not be the best fit for most bands due to the extra cost and complexity.
4. Incorporated (Inc.)
Best for: Broad term often used interchangeably with a corporation; not a structure in itself.
Key Points: Being “Incorporated” (Inc.) generally means your business is formally registered as a corporation (either as a C Corp or an S Corp). Incorporation adds liability protection, but it’s typically more involved and costly, with requirements on formal record-keeping and management.
Why LLCs Usually Win for Bands: While each structure has its pros and cons, LLCs usually strike the best balance of benefits and simplicity for bands. They offer flexible management, pass-through taxation, and essential liability protection without the need for complex record-keeping and formalities. This allows your band to operate professionally without the extra hassle, so you can focus on creating music instead of getting bogged down in paperwork.
Start Thinking Like a Business
So, you’ve got your band, your sound, and maybe even a few gigs lined up. But before you dive deeper into the world of music, there’s one step that can make a huge difference: creating an LLC (Limited Liability Company) for your band. Yeah, it sounds business-y, but bear with us—we’ll explain why it’s worth it and how it can actually help you focus more on the music.
What’s an LLC and Why Does It Matter for Your Band?
An LLC is a type of business structure that separates your personal finances from your band’s money. This means that, as a band, you’re legally treated like a mini-company, giving you some benefits and protections that can be game-changers for your growth. Here are three key reasons to go for an LLC:
Tax Benefits: LLCs allow you to deduct legitimate business expenses, like gear, travel, recording, and marketing costs, on your taxes.
Liability Protection: If something goes wrong, like a contract dispute or an injury at one of your gigs, the LLC structure helps protect your personal assets.
Clear Membership: An LLC makes your band official in the eyes of the law. It sets up each member with a formal role, ensuring everyone’s contributions are recognized and everyone’s legally committed.
Why Tax Breaks Matter (More Money in Your Pockets!)
Being in a band can be expensive: new gear, practice space rentals, studio time, travel for gigs, online marketing, you name it. With an LLC, many of these expenses can be written off as tax deductions.
Pass-Through Taxation: With an LLC, any profits the band makes are “passed through” to members directly, and you’re taxed only at the individual level, avoiding the double taxation that corporations face. Each member pays taxes on their portion of the band’s income based on their ownership share.
Tax Deductible Expenses: Nearly every dollar your band spends on music-related expenses (gear, travel, studio time, etc.) could be tax-deductible with an LLC. That’s because LLCs can count legitimate band expenses as deductions. Here are some expenses that could help lower your taxable income:
Equipment and Instruments: Guitars, amps, pedals, keyboards, drum sets—if it’s essential for your band, it’s likely deductible.
Recording and Production: Studio rentals, sound engineers, and even digital tools can count as business expenses.
Marketing and Promotion: This includes everything from online ads to poster printing to paying for your website or social media promotions.
Travel Expenses: If your band’s hitting the road for gigs, your travel costs—gas, plane tickets, hotel rooms, and even meals on the road—could be deductible.
At tax time, these deductions lower your taxable income, which means you could end up keeping more money in your band fund rather than paying it out in taxes. If you’re investing a lot upfront, this can be a serious advantage for bands living gig-to-gig or saving up for that next big recording session.
Staying Safe: Liability Protection 101
Let’s face it: life in a band can get chaotic. An LLC protects your personal assets—like your car, apartment, or savings—by keeping them separate from the band’s responsibilities. Here’s why this matters:
Contract Safety: Ever had a payment fall through or a vendor bail on you? An LLC offers a professional structure for signing and enforcing contracts, giving your band more security with venues, producers, and promoters.
The Gig Risk: If someone gets hurt during a gig or a venue has a problem, they could come after your band legally. With an LLC, your personal assets are shielded. It’s the LLC that assumes the risk, so if legal issues arise, you won’t be personally on the hook.
Protection Against Financial Liability: If your band faces a legal issue (like a contract dispute, damage claims, or equipment-related accidents), an LLC limits each band member’s personal liability. This means that if your band runs into trouble, only the band’s assets are at risk—not your personal belongings like your car, home, or savings.
Legal Clarity and Simplicity: With an LLC, your band becomes a “legal entity,” meaning it can own property, enter contracts, and incur debt as an independent entity. Any disputes or issues are handled with the band as a unit, not by pursuing individual members. For example, if a venue sues the band, only the band’s assets are involved, so each member’s personal finances remain separate and protected.
Whether it’s a broken speaker, a dispute over a gig, or a small accident, LLCs add a layer of protection that could save you big if things go sideways.
Band Membership 101: Why an LLC Sets It All Straight
An LLC doesn’t just protect your money; it also protects your relationships. Here’s how an LLC helps set clear boundaries and expectations for everyone in the band:
Formal Membership: Each member of the band is legally recognized as part of the LLC, meaning everyone’s on the same page about who’s in, who’s out, and who gets a say in decisions.
Revenue & Expense Splits: The LLC structure allows you to clarify how revenue is split (gig income, royalties, merch sales, etc.) and what percentage each member covers when it comes to band expenses.
Decision-Making: With an LLC, you can lay out ground rules for major decisions—like bringing in new members, hiring a manager, or taking on big expenses.
Flexibility in Management and Operations
No Board Meetings or Complex Paperwork: Unlike corporations, which require boards of directors, official meetings, and detailed records, an LLC lets your band operate more casually. You don’t have to hold regular board meetings or keep as much formal documentation, which is a big plus if your band’s focus is on making music, not getting bogged down in paperwork.
Flexible Roles and Membership Structure: An LLC lets you decide exactly how each member fits into the band structure, including their role, responsibility, and ownership share. You can specify how much each member is responsible for financially, what they’re entitled to if the band earns money, and what happens if someone leaves or a new member joins.
Setting Up Your LLC: Setting up an LLC is typically much simpler than forming a corporation, and it doesn’t require major legal expertise. Most states offer an online form for filing an LLC that asks for basic information, like your band’s name, members’ names, and an address for the LLC.
Ongoing Costs: An LLC is usually inexpensive to maintain. You may have annual fees or reports depending on your state, but compared to corporations, the costs are generally low. This helps you stay on top of your band’s finances without a huge expense cutting into your budget.
Operating Agreement: Your Band’s Business “Rulebook”
Why It’s Important: An Operating Agreement is a document that outlines each member’s role, ownership, decision-making power, and what happens if someone leaves or a dispute comes up. While it’s optional in some states, creating an Operating Agreement can be one of the smartest moves you make as a band. It prevents conflicts down the road and sets up your band to operate smoothly, even as members or circumstances change.
What to Include in an Operating Agreement: A good Operating Agreement for a band includes:
Ownership Percentages: How much of the band’s assets and income each member owns.
Roles and Responsibilities: Each member’s contributions, whether financial, creative, or managerial.
Decision-Making Processes: How big decisions (like hiring a manager or signing a label deal) are made, and who has voting power.
Profit Sharing: How revenue from gigs, streaming, and merchandise will be split among members.
Dispute Resolution: Guidelines for handling disagreements, and what happens if a member leaves the band.
Why an LLC Sets You Up for Long-Term Success
For bands just starting out, an LLC is often the best choice. It protects you financially, helps you save on taxes, and gives everyone clear roles—all without the added stress of corporate-level regulations. Setting up an LLC might feel like a pain in the ass move, but it’s a move that allows you to focus more on your music and growth, giving you and your fellow bandmates confidence and clarity.
Steps to Start an LLC for Your Band
Setting up an LLC is easier than you might think. Here’s a quick guide to get you started:
Pick Your Band’s LLC Name: Choose a name for your LLC, likely your band’s name, to keep things simple. Just double-check that it’s available for use in your state.
Decide on Members: List out each official band member to establish who’s part of the LLC.
File the Paperwork: Most states let you do this online for a small fee. In Georgia, it’s $100. It’s just a matter of filling out a form with basic info about your band.
Create an Operating Agreement: Think of this as your band’s “rulebook.” It outlines ownership percentages, member roles, decision-making processes, and more.
Get an EIN (Employer Identification Number): This is like a Social Security Number for your band, and you’ll need it to open a band bank account, which keeps your band money separate from personal funds.
After these steps, your band is an official LLC! You’re ready to start benefiting from the tax advantages, enjoy some liability protection, and focus on growing as a group without added stress.
It’s Worth the Effort!
Starting an LLC might not seem like the most “rock n’ roll” move, but the benefits are hard to ignore. With tax breaks, liability protection, and clear membership rules, it’s a move that could set you up to go from small gigs to big tours with less hassle. And at the end of the day, it lets you focus on what really matters—making music and building a legacy with your band.
Are you in need of online assistance for your merchandise or brand promotion? We’ve got you covered! We specialize in creating custom event merchandise, band merchandise, venue items, and more. Whether you need items in bulk for in-person sales, online listings for event pick-up, or individual online sales, we’ve got you covered. We can also set up a brand showcase page for you.
Simply let us know your requirements and send us your graphics and specifications, or we can create something for you from scratch. We’ll set up a dedicated page for your event and ensure your products gain visibility. We handle posting, listing, creating ads, and promoting your event and merchandise across various online platforms. This includes giving fans an exclusive preview of your merchandise with built-in advertising, all at no cost to you. We don’t make a profit unless you do.
With Amplify Merch, we take on the hard work for you. We understand that not everyone has the time, energy, or desire to maintain a website. Let us handle the creation, setup, listing, order management, and more for you. You can benefit from bulk discounts on your orders, and your customers and fans can conveniently place their orders online. Forget about spending hours comparing quotes and companies online or over the phone – we’ll handle that.
Start selling your products online or order in bulk for your shows without having to disrupt your current merch. We are here to enhance your merchandising game.
Looking for special editions and limited editions for a new album release or event?
You have the freedom to choose what you want. Whether it’s the highest quality T-shirt available or the best price, outfitting your band with merch, or needing banners, flyers, or giveaways – we’ve got you covered. We are constantly seeking new providers and ensuring printing quality so that you don’t have to worry about it.
For musicians, the merch table is a crucial component of their live shows. It’s where fans can snag a piece of memorabilia to remember the performance, and where artists can make some extra cash on the side. However, despite its importance, there are some limitations to the merch table that can hinder its effectiveness. From logistics issues to competition from online stores, musicians need to be aware of these drawbacks to maximize their merch sales.
Ah, the merch table. A staple at concerts, festivals, and events of all kinds. It’s the perfect place to snag some cool swag to commemorate your experience or show support for your favorite artist or band. Transporting and setting up a merch table is work. Sometimes you find your table is squeezed into a back corner with no lighting. Sometimes trying to sell items over the live music is pointless, and you end up trying to sell when the band isn’t playing. What about having someone monitor the table? Tracking money, and inventory. And when you have 10 fewer shirts than you started with and half of the money you should have, what do you do? Chances are whoever is working the merch table is a volunteer and having a good time. Distractions and alcohol… We’ve all been there. What if your merch volunteer doesn’t show up or runs off drunk? Then there’s payment processing accounts or point of sale, inventory management, cash box management, sales taxes. All good and necessary. On site sales are great to get out something quick at a show. BUT, a headache.
Everything has its limitations, and Merch is not any different.
Merch management allows for far greater selections in an online environment and a vastly larger consumer base. Our goal is to make this as easy as possible. Literally, a few emails and our clients receive an invoice and a check. Our objective is to take the burden of pushing products off of our clients so they can focus on what’s most important. A DAMN GOOD SHOW!!!
One of the main limitations of the merch table is its physical constraints. Depending on the venue’s size and the space’s layout, there may not be enough room for a full merch setup. This can result in a limited selection of items being available for sale, which may disappoint fans who are looking forward to purchasing a specific item. Additionally, the merch table can often get crowded and chaotic, especially after the show when everyone rushes to grab their merch.
Another drawback of the Merch table is Variety. While merch tables often offer a wide range of products, there are still limits to what can be made available. Some artists may have limited resources or budgets, which means they can only offer a small selection of items. This can be frustrating for fans who are looking for something specific or unique.
Another limitation of the merch table is accessibility. Not everyone is able to attend live events and purchase merch in person. This can be a major disadvantage for fans who live in remote areas or who are unable to attend concerts for various reasons. While some artists offer online merch stores, not all do, which means that fans may miss out on the opportunity to purchase items that are only available at live events.
Quality is another important factor to consider when it comes to merch. While many suppliers ensure that their products are of high quality, some may cut corners or use inferior materials to save money. This can result in products that are not as durable or long-lasting as fans would like.
Price is another limitation that can affect fans’ ability to purchase merch. While many fans are willing to shell out some cash for a t-shirt or poster, not everyone can afford to spend a lot of money on merch. This can be especially true for younger fans or those on a tight budget.
But perhaps the biggest challenge of all is trying to sell items over live music. Picture this: the band is playing at full volume, the crowd is cheering, and you’re standing there with a stack of CDs in your hand, hoping someone will notice them. That’s why I’ve found that the best time to sell merch is when the band isn’t playing. It’s a delicate balance of timing and strategy, but it’s worth it when you see someone walk away with one of your products in hand.
Despite these limitations, the merch table is a crucial part of any artist’s income. It’s not just about selling products; it’s about connecting with fans and building a community around your music. When someone buys a t-shirt or a CD, it’s not just a transaction; it’s a token of support and appreciation for what you do. So the next time you find yourself setting up a merch table in a less-than-ideal location, remember that it’s all part of the job. Embrace the challenges, find creative solutions, and most importantly, keep smiling. Because at the end of the day, it’s all about sharing your music with the world and leaving a lasting impression on those who support you. So here’s to all the hard-working merch sellers out there, hustling to make a living in the music industry. Keep pushing through the obstacles, keep shining a light on your products, and most importantly, keep rocking on. The merch table may have its limitations, but it’s also a valuable opportunity to showcase your art and connect with your audience. And that’s something worth celebrating.
By having a clear plan for payment processing, accounts, and payouts, you can avoid any potential headaches and focus on what’s important – playing great music and connecting with your fans.
Here at Amplify Merch, we can’t fix those issues for you. What we can offer, is a quick solution, when you aren’t able to run a Merch Table. You can give out the QR CODES by text, email, or physical cards.
We can provide you with a seamless online merch management system. With just a few clicks, you can give out QR codes to your customers via text, email, or physical cards, allowing them to browse and purchase your merchandise from the convenience of their own devices.
In addition to our online merch management services, we also offer bulk items for your merch table. Whether you need t-shirts, hats, stickers, or any other type of merchandise in large quantities, we can handle it all. Simply give us a call or shoot us an email with your order and we’ll take care of the rest. We can customize a variety of products for your fans, band members, and gifts. We can create limited editions, and show or event-specific.
We understand that running events can be chaotic and unpredictable, which is why we’re here to make things as smooth and stress-free as possible for you. Let us work FOR YOU!
Give us a call or send us an email today to learn more about how Amplify Merch can help you with all of your merchandising needs. From online merch management to bulk items for your merch table, we’ve got you covered.
Welcome to our brand-new website! We are thrilled to provide a platform for fans and bands to expand their product sales beyond local shows.
We encourage you to take a look around our website. Our company is relatively new, and we work with various suppliers and print providers. This means that you won’t have to deal with any order minimums, but if you want bulk, we can get bulk too.
We have a large variety of products available for your brands. 100% RISK FREE
