Music is more accessible than ever before. With streaming services and video platforms available on our favorite devices, we can listen to tunes anytime, and anywhere.
The revenue for global streaming services has hit 18.5 billionUSD per year. And, the recorded music industry is worth around 28.8 billion US dollars a year.
If you want to work as a songwriter, tapping into this market can see your dreams come true. It can be a competitive field but if you are prepared to work hard and make the right connections, it’s possible to make it in the songwriting industry.
In the following article, you’ll discover a step-by-step guide to becoming a songwriter. We’ll explain how you can master your craft and how to share your songs.
Plus, we’ll give you tips on how to make money. Now, let’s get started.
Becoming A Songwriter
Are You a Songwriter?
There are two types of songwriters. You can be a singer-songwriter, and write songs for yourself. Bob Dylan, Taylor Swift, Ed Sheeran, and John Lennon are a few singers who write what they sing.
Alternatively, you can create songs for other musicians. For example, Bernie Taupin has helped Elton John create magical lyrics for over fifty years. Frank Sinatra had multiple songwriters that helped him write songs that are still considered classics today.
You don’t need any specific qualifications to be a songwriter. However, studying in the Arts or Music field will help you understand the fundamentals.
Most people in this industry have a background in music, and usually play an instrument such as the piano or guitar. It’ll be advantageous if you have an ear for a catchy melody and experience writing stories or poetry.
To get started, you’ll need to put your ideas on paper. Some songwriters keep a journal with them in case inspiration strikes. Songwriters usually live and breathe music, and it’ll be a big part of their lifestyle.
If you’re humming tunes, creating lyrics, and sharing your work, you could already be a songwriter.
Perfecting Your Skills
Writing songs for fun is one thing. You may even share your lyrics with your friends and family to sing around the campfire. But, how do you take it to the next level? Becoming a professional songwriter takes time and practice. You’ll need to master your craft before giving up your day job.
How can you perfect your skills? Try these top tips.
Keep Writing
The most important thing is to keep writing. Just like an author brainstorms, writes, and edits their work, successful songwriters continue to create until they’re happy with the final result.
Most famous songwriters can put together a new song within a few hours. But, if it does take you longer to get it right you shouldn’t feel discouraged. Over time, you’ll get quicker and become a more efficient songwriter.
Try to finish every song you write. Even if it’s not your best work, you’ll get valuable experience every time you wrap up your lyrics.
You can experiment with different styles until you find what works for you. For example, is your genre of choice pop, rock, indie, or rap? Do your lyrics rhyme? Are your words fun or do they have a deeper meaning?
Build Your Musical Network
If you want to become a successful writer, skills and talent are essential. But, this is an industry where you’ll also need strong connections to get your foot in the door.
When you surround yourself with other creatives, you’ll feel inspired to work on new projects. You can share your ideas, and collaborate on new music.
There are different ways you can grow your creative network. You can attend local music shows and get to know those in the industry. When you support other acts they’ll appreciate you making the effort, and they’ll be more likely to support you too. You can also connect with people in the music industry online via social media or email.
If you have friends with a musical background, ask them if they can share their contacts. For example, can you organize an open jam session where friends and their guests can come and play music together? If there are people you trust, ask them to listen to your music and give their feedback.
Consider a Change of Scenery
Got writer’s block? A change of scenery could be exactly what you need. Inspiration comes from experiences, people, and places.
Songwriters often write about relationships and important moments in their lives. But, inspiration can be found anywhere. You could go away for a weekend and stay in a cabin in the woods, or write down your ideas in a coffee shop around the corner from your house. If an overseas vacation is an option, your experiences could give you a different perspective.
Sometimes getting outside of your comfort zone can help you come up with new material.
Meeting people, reading books, and listening to other artists in different genres can give you the inspiration you need. If you get stuck, take a break. Forget about writing songs for a while and come back with fresh eyes — and ears.
Study the Basics of Music
You could have a natural flair for writing music, but do you know the fundamentals? When you understand music theory you can structure your tunes in the right way. For example, your verse and chorus should complement one another.
You’ll learn about harmony, rhythm, and melody, and how they all work together. You’ll think about the structure of songs and how things like tempo can affect the entire sound.
If you’re serious about songwriting, add music theory to your education. There are a few options available depending on your learning style. You can study online with a short virtual course or in person at a local college. Or, you can read books or watch YouTube videos and teach yourself.
You don’t need a master’s degree in music to be successful. However, you should understand that a great song is about more than just pretty words on a page.
Becoming a Professional Songwriter
Once you have the skills to write songs, you may be wondering how to turn your passion into a career. Here’s how to get noticed in a crowded industry.
Get Used to Working With Others
If you want to create music, you don’t have to go it alone. Co-writing songs can be a good way to start your professional songwriting journey. A co-writer who has more experience and industry contacts can support you while you build your confidence.
If you want to collaborate with another songwriter, you’ll need to find someone who is on the same page. You should have the same goals and musical style. Do you follow a similar process? What can you learn from them?
You should be able to share ideas and be open to constructive feedback.
Sometimes, you’ll be co-writing with a singer or other musician. For example, you could be creating lyrics for a singer who is working out the accompanying tune on the piano.
Besides co-writers and singers, you’ll need to work with other people in the music industry. Producers and managers are two types of professionals you may have to collaborate with.
Start Creating Demos
How can you get your hard work in the right hands? You’ll need to put together some demos. In the past, people would use cassette tapes or CDs to record demos of their songs. These days, demos are usually in a digital audio format.
If you’re a singer-songwriter, you can create a demo without much help. You can make a sample of your music by recording yourself in a quiet room. Some songwriters visit a recording studio, but if you’re on a budget you can do it from home.
You’ll need a few tools such as recording software, a microphone, and a metronome. If you’re confident you can mix the tracks yourself and experiment with different background beats.
For those who don’t want to sing themselves, you’ll need to call in some assistance from other musicians.
Each demo recording should have between three and four songs. You want to show the recipient your style and what you can do, without revealing your whole catalog.
Who do you share your demo with? The answer depends on what you’re looking for. If you want to find someone to sing your lyrics, you can send your demo to other musicians. Record labels and producers may also be on your list.
Make Your Music Versatile
If you can learn to create songs for different genres and purposes you can open up new work opportunities. If you’ve been writing music that’s suitable for radio, why not mix it up with some tunes that are ideal for movies or television?
Can you make music that’s targeted to more than one demographic? Would a teenager and their parents all sing along to it?
Another way to make money as a songwriter is by writing advertising jingles. You can approach marketing agencies and see what they’re looking for. Just look at any car advertisement, it’s sure to be accompanied by a cool theme song.
You can also try to create timeless music. For example, Kate Bush originally released Running Up That Hill in 1985. Since being featured in the Netflix series, Stranger Things the song has gained a new generation of fans.
Learn How to Share Your Music
Now that you’ve reached this stage, you can really start to get your music out there for the public to enjoy. Here are some of the top ways to promote your songwriting and get noticed.
Record a Song
If you’ve got your demos ready but you haven’t gotten any feedback, recording and releasing a single is the obvious next step.
You don’t need a record deal to start sharing your music because a third-party distributor is an option for independent artists. Some streaming services will also accept singles from new musicians.
Even though CDs are becoming a thing of the past, you’ll still need some artwork to go with your release. Think of your artwork as your virtual record cover. If you’re working with other musicians, they may already have a logo and style. Alternatively, if you’re starting out on your own you’ll need to decide what type of design suits your music while being appealing to your target audience.
YouTube is still a good platform for those hoping to launch a career in the music industry. Don’t forget, Justin Bieber was discovered on YouTube and look how far he’s come. If you want to share your songs via video, you’ll need a camera and clear audio. Check your background and edit your videos if you need to.
Use Social Media
If your music is online you can spread the word via social media. Famous songwriters know that they can grow their fanbase by targeting a worldwide audience.
By using a range of social media platforms you can interact with followers, promote events, and share your music. If you’re collaborating with other artists, tagging them in your posts will show your appreciation.
Facebook, Instagram, TikTok, and YouTube are all worth your time. If you need help, you can hire a social media manager to post on your behalf.
Schedule Live Gigs
Another way to get your music out there is with live gigs. If you have a band or you’re a solo singer-songwriter, you can check if local clubs or pubs will schedule a show. Playing your music in a beer garden can help you build your confidence and see what the public thinks of your songs.
Once you have grown your brand you can start playing in bigger venues. Local tours can turn into national tours, and if you do well you may even end up performing overseas.
If you’re a songwriter and don’t want to be center stage, you can find someone to sing your songs in public.
Pitch to Artists
Want other artists to sing your songs? You’ll need to pitch to the right people.
Pharrell is a good example of a successful songwriter who has pitched his heart out and had it pay off in a big way. He’s collaborated with a number of artists including Gwen Stefani and Justin Timberlake. He also sings some of his own lyrics which has given him credibility as an artist.
Once again, networking will be essential if you want to find artists to pitch to. Check-in with artists on social media, via email, or in-person and ask if they’d be interested in checking out your work. Remember to be professional and keep trying. If you aren’t already known, it can take time to build these relationships.
How to Make Money as a Songwriter
Finally, you don’t want to work for free. If you work hard there’s no reason why you can’t earn an income. There are a few ways you can do this.
Remember we spoke about live gigs? Once you grow a fanbase you can charge for tickets. Some establishments will even give you a percentage of the night’s takings. Over time you can increase your prices and move to bigger venues.
When you play live you can sell merchandise. T-shirts, wristbands, and posters are just a few options. Take a friend with you to watch the merchandise stall and make sure you offer different payment methods including cash and credit.
If you sell your music to another artist you could get royalties. These are a percentage of every sale they make from your collaboration. You can make money from placements in movies, television shows, and promotions. And, if you’re on YouTube you can get extra cash from advertisements.
Depending on your goals, you could secure a publishing deal. A music publisher is an agent and may ask you to sign a contract. There will be conditions to any deal, such as how long you have to write a song and who owns the rights. Before signing any contracts we recommend you seek legal advice.
Conclusion
Is your goal to become a professional songwriter in 2022? In this article, we told you everything you need to know about breaking into the industry.
We explained how you can get creative, by changing scenery and writing regularly. You can get inspiration from anywhere and other artists can help you stay on track. When you finish a song, record a demo and send it to others in the industry.
You’ll need to get your music out there, and you can do this by playing live gigs, pitching to other musicians, recording songs, and creating social media profiles.
Don’t forget, you can make money. Record deals, advertisements, royalties, and ticket sales are just a few ways you can start to build your revenue.
Becoming a famous songwriter takes talent, perseverance, and good communication skills. If you’re prepared to work hard, you could end up being the next big thing!
