History is full of songwriters who wrote great songs ten years prior to the song being released because they simply never showcased them to any industry professionals. The songs have gone on to be mega-smashes!
There's nothing wrong with songwriting being your hobby. As a matter of fact, the majority of songwriters all over the world are vocational songwriters, never expecting anything but applause from their family and friends.
However, if you're a songwriter
To be successful in the business of songwriting, it must become more than something you're just talented at - it must become a way of life! Please Bookmark This Site
who depends on your talent to make a living, you need to to take the bull by the horns and steer it wherever you want to go in your career. This takes absolute total commitment!
Whether you're trying to get signed by a music publishing company or trying to write quality songs for your independent release or local gigs, people will see total commitment from a mile away and discard shallowness and insincerity in a heartbeat. Most music publishing companies only sign songwriters who who eat, sleep, and breathe their craft. Don't get left behind!
1. Try to convey excitement and positive emotion when it comes to your songwriting to industry pros and fans. For example, while introducing a song, don't say,"Here's a song I'm hoping you'll like, tell me (us) what you think." Say something like, "Here's one of our latest songs set to be released in March, so please look for the CD." This portrays an actual song to be released and not merely an audience experiment.
2. Be professional in your business dealings with industry people and your fans. Hand out promo cards, business cards when appropriate, and show up slightly ahead of any scheduled time. Portray your image as the "next big thing in songwriting." Hey, you're it! Don't be afraid to exude confidence.
3. Commit at least 30 minutes to your songwriting everyday (preferably more), whether it's actual songwriting or studying the craft of songwriting. This will ensure you stay on top of your game. The key here is consistency.
4. By the same token, know when to take a break so you can come back refreshed and full of fresh ideas.
5. Never play a half-finished song in your shows or to anyone for that matter except a collaborator or someone who's helping you with a critique. This comes across as songwriting amateurism at its worst.
6. On that note, try to finish as many songs as you deem worthy of being completed. Most songwriters have a ton of unfinished masterpieces waiting to be polished. Sometimes, a song you think is not up to par can contain a few great lines you can use in other songs.
7. If you really enjoy and are serious about songwriting, act like it! The majority of successful independent or major label songwriters actually do live, breathe, eat, and, sleep songwriting. Songwriting for these people is, without a doubt, in the immortal words of Jeff Spicoli (played by Sean Penn in "Fast Times At Ridgemont High"), a way of life. It's looking and hearing the first two lines of your first verse and saying to your song, "Hey Bud, let's party!"
Whether you're a beginner to seasoned pro songwriter, you need to establish a comfortable routine where you can consistently write and/or study your craft if you plan on improving your songwriting.
