Updated October 21, 2026
Where customers in Zagreb look for musicians
Customers for music work in Zagreb come from several places. Schools across the city - primary, secondary, and music schools - hire musicians for lessons, performances, and events. Individual students looking for instrument lessons or music theory teaching often search online or ask for recommendations from friends and music teachers. Wedding clients, event organisers, and venue owners in Zagreb need musicians for performances, receptions, and parties.
Word of mouth matters a lot in the musician world. One satisfied student or client tells friends, family, or colleagues. Online search brings people to you when they type 'violin lessons Zagreb' or 'composer Zagreb' or similar terms. A Websta profile with your services and prices shows up when people nearby search for the type of music work you do.
Setting your first prices
Pricing in Zagreb depends on what you offer. Lesson rates - for teaching instruments or music theory - typically vary by experience level, location, and demand. Performance rates depend on the type of event, length of performance, and your experience. You set your own prices on a Websta profile.
Research what others charge in Zagreb. Ask other musicians what they price lessons or gigs at. Check online listings and local advertisements. Your first prices do not have to match experienced professionals - a newer musician might charge less to build a client base and reviews. You can adjust prices as you gain experience and clients.
Think about the cost of living in Zagreb when you set prices. Factor in your transport to lessons or events, equipment maintenance, and time spent preparing. Money for lessons or performances should cover your work and leave you with actual earnings after expenses.
Your first customers usually look like this
The first people who contact you are often not your ideal long-term clients - they are usually people who search online, ask for recommendations, or happen across your profile. Early customers might include parents looking for affordable music lessons for their children, event organisers booking at the last minute, or people testing whether they want lessons before committing to regular classes.
Some first customers stay for months or years - a parent finds you and their child takes weekly lessons with you. Others are one-time bookings. Early on, your customer base will be small and mixed. As you work and build a reputation in Zagreb, you attract more of the kind of work you prefer to do.
What you need to sort out as an independent musician in Croatia
Before you take money for music work in Zagreb, check your situation as an independent person in Croatia. If you earn income from your own work, you may need to register as a sole trader (samozaposlen) with the Croatian tax authority or set up another legal structure. Rules depend on how much you earn and what type of work you do.
Contact the Croatian Tax Authority (Porezna uprava) or a local accountant or business advisor in Zagreb to find out what you need to do. The rules can vary depending on whether this is a side income or your main work. Payments through Websta go to your own bank account - you handle the money directly and are responsible for any taxes or registration requirements.
Keep records of the work you do and the money you earn. Have a separate bank account for your music income if possible. This makes tax time easier and keeps your finances clear.
What usually goes wrong in the first months
Many new musicians underprice their work because they are nervous about losing clients or unsure of their value. This makes it hard to earn real money and sets a pattern that is difficult to change later. Charge fairly for your work from the start.
Communication delays lose clients. If someone sends a message through your Websta profile, reply quickly. If a lesson or performance time needs to be rescheduled, tell the client immediately. People book musicians who are reliable and easy to reach.
Inconsistent online presence is a problem. If your profile shows old information, outdated prices, or no way to contact or book you, potential clients move on. Keep your Websta profile current with your actual services, prices, and how people can reach you.
Expecting money too quickly discourages new musicians. Building a steady income from music work takes months, not weeks. One-time gigs do not guarantee the next gig. Clients from word of mouth take time to accumulate. If you are earning money alongside another job, this slower growth is normal.
How a Websta profile helps you earn
A Websta profile is a page that shows who you are, what music work you offer, and your prices. People in Zagreb who search for musicians by service and location can find your profile. They see your contact information and online booking tool, and they can send you a message or book time with you directly through the platform.
When a customer books or pays through your Websta profile, the money goes to your own bank account through Stripe - you control it. You are not dependent on a middleman or an app that takes a large cut. You can send your Websta profile link to anyone - a student, an event organiser, a friend who asks if you teach lessons. It gives people one clear page to see what you do and how to hire you.
A Websta profile also helps you be found. The platform has a marketplace where people in Zagreb search for musicians by service - on the path /marketplace/music - and you can appear in those results. This is one more place people look for someone to hire.
Frequently asked questions
- How much money can I make as a musician in Zagreb?
- Earnings depend on how much time you work, what services you offer, what you charge, and how many clients you get. Income varies widely - some musicians do this part-time alongside another job, others work full-time. There is no guaranteed income. Building a steady client base takes work and time.
- How do I get paid if someone books me through a Websta profile?
- When a customer books through your Websta profile and pays, the money goes to your own bank account through Stripe. You set your own prices and receive payments directly. You are responsible for any taxes or registration requirements as an independent person in Croatia.
- Should I start full-time or part-time as a musician?
- Many musicians start part-time while keeping another job, then move to full-time if the income grows large enough. Part-time work lets you build a client base, test your prices, and see if this type of work fits your life - without losing your main income. The choice is yours based on your situation and confidence.
- What if I have no clients yet - how do I start?
- Set up a Websta profile with your services and prices. Tell friends, family, and former teachers or colleagues that you are available for music work. Contact music schools and event venues in Zagreb. Post on social media. Ask people you work with to recommend you. Client work grows slowly at first - be patient and consistent.
- Do I need a business licence to teach music or perform in Zagreb?
- Check with the Croatian Tax Authority (Porezna uprava) about what you need to do legally. Rules depend on your income level and the type of work. It is important to sort this out before you start earning - speak to a local accountant or business advisor in Zagreb to be sure.
About the numbers
Counts in this guide were read from the Websta catalogue when the text was written and are refreshed above from the live catalogue. Part of the catalogue was built from the public business register and is marked as such on each profile.