How to Become a Songwriter
Becoming a songwriter is a process that can take many years or, in rare cases, may happen quickly (with hard work). If you write songs, you are already a songwriter. To be a professional songwriter and make a living writing songs is something else entirely. While the path to success as a songwriter can vary from one person to the next, there are basic actions you can take to give you the best chances for selling your songs, so you can call yourself a professional songwriter.
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Instructions
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Perfect your craft. If you have been writing songs for some time and want to become a songwriter as a career, assess your work and determine which songs you feel have commercial potential. Identify songs you've written that you feel may be suitable for specific performers, and focus your efforts on those songs.
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Record professional demos of the songs you choose to market. Whether you rent a professional recording studio and band, or decide to record the songs yourself with music software, a demo recording is important to selling your songs.
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Purchase a copy of the "Songwriter's Market." This book is an essential component for anyone who wants to become a songwriter. The book lists record companies and music producers who purchase songs. The book provides complete contact information and tells you specifically how to submit your material for consideration per the guidelines for each contact, which can vary greatly.
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Write down the market possibilities that fit the type of songs you write. Read the submission guidelines carefully for each of these markets, and submit your work accordingly. One of the best ways to become a successful songwriter is to get your songs into the hands of the people who can record them, so keep as many of your songs in circulation as possible.
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Register with BMI or ASCAP. This isn't necessary before you sell a song, but it is helpful afterward. These organizations keep track of when your songs are performed, which in turns helps track your royalties. ASCAP is American Society of Composers, Authors, and Publishers, and BMI is Broadcast Music Incorporated.
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Tips & Warnings
Before sending any material, visit the United States Copyright Office online and fill out the form to register your song for copyright. There is a fee ($35.00 as of the time of publication). If you register several songs as a collection under one title, you can register them all for the same fee as a single song.
You can get an agent to submit your songs for you, but with the resources available today, an agent is not necessary.
