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.

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.

2. “Professional” means your songs earn money.

In order to earn money, your songs have to have value in the market- somebody wants to record them, and a bunch of somebodies want to buy them.  To live off your royalties or to get and keep a pub deal, you songs have to earn significant 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.  And that’s fine.  But if you want it to be a business, you have to act like a professional.  The serious writers make the serious money (sometimes).

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, they’ll cut THEIR OWN mediocre song, 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 there.

Thanks for hanging in there with me- I know this post is more about perspiration than inspiration.  Work hard, good luck, and God bless!

-Brent

YOU VS…

For the past two weeks, I’ve discussed how songwriters can maximize mentoring sessions.  You can read part one HERE and part two HERE.  Today, let’s talk about how to maximize your mentoring AFTER the session.  And away we go…

Don’t freak out.

Chances are, you’re feeling a little kicked around.  Don’t worry- we’ve all been kicked around.  This is an opportunity to build your getting-back-on-the-horse muscles.  Believe me, you’ll need them over the years to come.  It’s important not to swing too far in either direction- “I’ve arrived” or “I’ll never get there.”  Just because your mentor didn’t do backflips doesn’t mean it’s time to feed your guitar to a woodchipper.  And just because your mentor DID to backflips doesn’t mean it’s time to give your boss the ‘ol Johnny Paycheck.  Just take a deep breath.

Thoughtfully consider the feedback you received.

Put away the voice of pride which says, “they don’t know what they’re talking about- just ignore ‘em.”  Also put away the voice of fear and laziness that doesn’t want to admit you may have a lot of work ahead of you.  Honestly, did the mentor make some valid points?  Maybe you brought in a rodeo song and your mentor told you rodeo songs aren’t in demand right now.  Well, get on iTunes or Billboard and do the research.  It’s not about seeing the world as you want it to be.  See the world as it is.

Seek out additional educated feedback.

Nobody’s opinion is gospel.  Nobody has perfect understanding.  If you disagreed with everything your mentor said, get another opinion.  If you agreed with everything your mentor said, get additional opinions.  If you hear the same point made by two or more pros, really give it a lot of consideration.  But there’s another reason to seek additional opinions- it will help you grow your network and increase the chance that you’ll find your champion.

Don’t quit.

Don’t let one meeting determine the validity of your dreams.  That is a decision for you, your family, and the Good Lord.  Well, it’s actually HIS decision alone, but it sure is a lot easier on everyone if you and your family get on the same page with Him.

Well, there we have it: how to maximize a mentoring session.  I hope this series has been helpful.

Last week, I discussed how songwriters can maximize a mentoring session before they step into the session.  You can read that post HERE.  Today, let’s talk about how to maximize your mentoring while IN the room.  And away we go…

Be on time or early.

In a world where writers and creative types are habitually late, it’s refreshing to have someone show up on time or (gasp) a few minutes early.  Seriously, this is a simple way to show respect for your mentor and his or her time.  It matters.  Be professional.

Dress like you care.

Seriously.  Wear your pajamas or whatever if it’s a phone session.  But if you’re meeting in person, you want to appear professional.  No, you don’t have to wear kakis or a suit, but you want to be presentable.  No, it doesn’t make your song sound better.  However, if you hope to build a relationship with this mentor and hopefully get some cowrites or business referrals, you want to make the mentor feel like you know what you’re doing and won’t embarrass him later.  No, you don’t have to be handsome or beautiful, just don’t let your outfit be a negative.

Seek to get better, not to be discovered.

Maybe your songs are impressive.  Maybe they’re not.  But a humble, teachable attitude is always impressive.  You want your mentor to be a fan of YOU, not just your songs.  If I get the sense that a songwriter is not there to learn but just wants to be told how great they are, I’m just going to try and get through the session with as little headache as possible.  Because if you not willing to learn, I’m not going to waste my time trying to force you to learn.

Take notes.

Or record the session (just ask before recording).  First of all, if you have a memory like mine, you won’t remember everything you want to.  Secondly, if you look like you’re taking it seriously and are fired up about learning, it encourages your mentor to give even better info.  Also, a mentor might be a little less likely to pass along a potential contact’s name and email if you look like you don’t have a pen within five miles.

Don’t argue.

It’s okay to ask clarifying questions and “explore” a topic more.  But it should be to learn, not to win.  Again, if I think you’re disinterested in learning, I’m disinterested in teaching.  If you’re mentor is wrong on a point, it’s your job to go out and PROVE them wrong.  If you irritate them with your attitude, you can lose the relationship.

Remember, you’re probably not the only talented writer that mentor is trying to help.  Make it easy on the mentor to help you.