How to Write Music As a Career

Writing music and lyrics is a potentially lucrative career. Raw talent, time, patience, consistency and extensive marketing are needed to successfully pursue music and lyric writing.

Difficulty: Challenging

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

• Strong lyrical ability/experience
• Copyright documentation
• Completed songwriter registration

How to Write Music As a Career

1. Build your lyrical collection. Diversity---the ability to write more than one musical genre---builds a strong music writing resume. You should be eclectic, producing lyrics for all types of music to avoid limiting your prospects and goals. Broaden the list of artists and genres for which you produce lyrics to increase your opportunities.

2. Copyright all of your material. This can be done online by preregistering your claim, or lyrical material. Provide your personal and demographic information to obtain an account and a login. You will electronically submit your material for copyright approval. Copyrighting is a lengthy process, so use your login account to check the status of your submissions.

3. It is important to register with a reputable distribution company. Registration approval takes approximately 2 to 3 weeks. This can be done by registering online with BMI Records, which is home to hundreds of songwriters, ranging from the best in the industry to beginners. There is no registration fee. Lyrical submissions to well-known distribution companies can help with legal, marketing and royalty matters.

4. Submit your best copyrighted material after you have been approved as a songwriter. The submission approval process takes 7 to 10 business days to confirm; you will receive confirmation via email. Market and sell only copyrighted and officially submitted lyrical material to ensure the best protection of your work.

5. Build a strong marketing platform to establish credentials and add to your resume. Start your own website and get business cards and flyers to gain marketing momentum. Visit local clubs, parties and listening sessions promoting live bands, recording artists, independent artists and labels. Networking is essential in building your credentials and business connections. Target independent labels and management companies, as they continually seek new and innovative talent.

Tips & Warnings

• Handle the legal aspects of your material first. Keep documentation of your songwriter account number, user name, password and intellectual property. Contact your distribution company to ensure that submitted material is being thoroughly and correctly processed.
• Review all information before submitting material for copyright approval. Do not submit lyrical work without a copyright, to protect your material from theft.

Resources

• Official songwriter registration site with additional information and resources to jump start your career.
• Governmental copyright website