Music is the universal language. It crosses all borders, all languages, and all ages. It is the voice of our humanity. It moves us; it heals us; it makes us feel. And, with the rise of digital music moves us, heals us, and makes us feel on a global level. But, how can you make money writing music?
The music industry is a highly competitive one. However, becoming a paid songwriter does not necessarily mean you have to give up on your dream. It can be done, and you don’t have to possess any musical skills to get started. Follow these steps to become a paid songwriter.
Here’s How to Become a Paid Songwriter:
Begin Writing Songs.
To write a popular song that ends up on an album requires more than just creativity—it takes a lot of research. In this lesson, you’ll learn which songs were written before they were even recorded. You’ll get a better understanding of how songwriters gather information about what their fellow musicians are doing. Plus, you’ll gain insight into what a record label is and why songwriters often rely on a company to produce their recordings.
Master Your Songwriting Skills.
If you’re looking for help on how to make money as a songwriter, learning how to write songs (and songs that sell) should be at the top of your list. Anyone with some basic musical ability can become a songwriter. All it takes is a lot of practice and dedication, and if you’re serious about pursuing this songwriting career, you’ll need to get an education.
Determine Your Songwriting Talent Level.
Many songwriters start out writing songs for fun as a way of expressing themselves creatively. Others begin as a songwriter only after they develop their musical skills. Regardless of where you are in your process when it comes to making money as a successful songwriter, there is one vital thing you must have: talent.
Determine Your Songwriting Income Goals.
For many songwriters, success means establishing yourself in a music genre that you prefer. For example, many musicians who write country songs want to publish their songs in country music magazines. Music publishers offer songwriters a payment for publishing their songs, but due to the popularity of certain genres, some musicians hit success early in their careers.
Market Your Songwriting Talent.
As an aspiring songwriter, your first and foremost job is to write the best songs you can. When you write songs, you are, in essence, offering your audience a music download—in this case, your song—which will hopefully grab your listener’s attention and compel them to download it. From there, it’s up to you to market your songs on all the major music sites, so your music can be heard by as many different listeners as possible.
Sell Your Song.
If you have an idea for a song and want to turn it into an income-producing asset, you can sell your song to a record label or sync it to a commercial. But first, you need to know how to get your music recorded, mixed, and mastered. A music producer has the skills to take your idea from paper to studio, but it can be difficult to find the best person for the job, especially if you don’t know what to look for. In the blog, we’ll share a few tips to help you find the right artist and producer, along with several resources and free tools to help you navigate the process.
If you have a passion for singing, songwriting, and music, you may be wondering how you can turn your hobby into a career. The good news is becoming a paid songwriter isn’t as hard as you might think. Today, more music is being created by amateurs, so professional songwriters with original songs command higher royalty rates. And thanks to the internet, thousands of aspiring songwriters make music careers happen every day.