Nobody can provide you with an exact roadmap on how to get from being an amateur songwriter to being a professional songwriter. But here are five things you must know – and act upon – if you want to go pro. Read on!
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1. Nobody turns pro alone.
You have to build a network. Songs move from hand to hand (or inbox to inbox) and into the right hands based on relationships. These relationships can range anywhere from business acquaintances to best friends. You MUST get to know people, and they must get to know your music. Knowing the “right people” isn’t cheating. It’s a vital part of succeeding as a pro songwriter.
2. “Professional” means your songs earn money.
In order to earn money, your songs have to have value in the market. At the end of the day, some artist wants to record them, and a bunch of fans want to buy them. To become a full-time songwriter or to get and keep a publishing deal, your songs have to earn income. Your job is NOT to write songs. Your job is to write songs that make money.
3. Songwriting is NOT your hobby – it’s your business.
If you treat it like a hobby, that’s all songwriting will ever be for you. Just a hobby. And that’s fine, if that’s your goal. But if you want it to be a business, you have to act like a professional. You have to treat it like a business. The serious songwriters are the ones who get the serious cuts.
4. Good enough isn’t good enough.
To break into the biz, your songs can’t be “just as good as” the worst stuff on records and radio. If an artist wants to cut mediocre songs, they’ll cut THEIR OWN mediocre songs, or their buddy’s or their producer’s. Your song has to compete against everybody else’s BEST songs.
5. You WILL have to sacrifice.
The professional songwriters are the ones who have been willing to sacrifice. They came home from their day jobs and picked up the guitar instead of the tv remote. They spent their Spring Break in Nashville instead of at the beach. They left family to move to Nashville. They waited tables – even though they had a masters degree – just to be where the music is. They don’t just TALK like they want success. They WORK like the want success!
I know some of this may be hard to hear. I know it may leave you with some questions. And I want to help. If you’d like to follow up this blog post with a private consultation, Songwriting Pro provides one-to-one songwriter coaching. Ask your questions and learn directly from writers who have done what you want to do.
Brent Baxter is a hit songwriter with cuts by Alan Jackson (the top 5 hit “Monday Morning Church”), Lady Antebellum, Randy Travis, Joe Nichols, Lonestar, comedy legend Ray Stevens, guitar legend Steve Cropper, Gord Bamford (the Canadian #1 and CCMA Single of the Year “When Your Lips Are So Close”) and more. He also has cuts in the bluegrass, Southern Gospel and Christian markets.
Hit songwriter Jenn Schott has had songs recorded by artists including Tim McGraw, Rascal Flatts, The Eli Young Band, Jana Kramer, Gloriana, Francesca Battistelli, Jamie Lynn Spears, Billy Ray Cyrus, Pam Tillis, Lonestar, and Restless Heart. Jenn co-wrote Mickey Guyton’s debut single, “Better Than You Left Me,” which was named one of Billboard’s 10 Best Country Songs of 2015. She also penned the title track of Tim McGraw’s Grammy nominated album, “Two Lanes of Freedom.”
You can get all the details and book a session with me or Jenn with a CLICK HERE. Don’t wait. Together, we can move you in the direction of your dreams!
Brent Baxter is a hit songwriter with cuts by Alan Jackson, Randy Travis, Lady Antebellum, Joe Nichols, Gord Bamford, Ruthie Collins, Ray Stevens, and more. He’s written a top 5 hit in the US, a #1 in Canada & a top 10 in Texas… so far.
This is some great advice. The only area I disagree with a little is this idea that somehow you must be “sacrificing” when you’re doing what you love.
Great songwriters don’t miss spring break at the beach to go to Nashville…they would much rather be in Nashville writing songs.
Chasing your dreams is never really a sacrifice…at least I never see it that way.
Still a GREAT post with GREAT info.
Thanks, Andrew! Great point! It was never even close as to whether I’d go to Nashville or somewhere else on Spring Break!
Hello Brent.
1. Nobody turns pro alone.
*I have been working hard on this.
2. “Professional” means your songs earn money.
*I have recorded and copyrights to 10 songs (so far).
*Still learning the “business” part.
3. Songwriting is NOT your hobby – it’s your business.
*This is what I want.
*Again…Still learning the “business” part .
4. Good enough isn’t good enough.
*This is very true, but it is a constant internal struggle.
*This can and does prevent success.
*Self doubt.
5. You WILL have to sacrifice.
*More blood, sweat, and tears.
*Commitment!
Well, I need some attitude adjustment.
Thanks.
Hang in there, James!
Hey that real talk i am song writer all so wit a day job people want buy my songs up come singer how do i get royalty that the ting
Well, if it’s an indie artist and a small pressing, they can pay you up front for a certain number of units. Then your PRO (ASCAP or BMI) will catch any radio play.