5 Steps to Becoming a Songwriter

Making it in the music business is tough, and becoming a songwriter takes a lot of time, effort, and skill. Whether it’s a lucky break or years of perseverance, there are some steps you can take to increase your chances of becoming a songwriter and getting the career you want in the music industry.

Write. Write. Write.

While this tip may seem obvious, if you’re an artist, it’s also the most important! Whether it’s at a local pub, wedding, or friend’s birthday, finding a venue is a must for music industry networking. You never know who will show up or what video will go viral. It’s not easy learning how to network in the music industry, but perseverance goes a long way.

If there’s one takeaway from this, it’s that songwriting education and practice are imperative if you want to know how to get signed as a songwriter. A good song is composed of five basic elements: melody, harmony, rhythm, lyrics, and structure. The lyrics section is where songwriters come in. If you can compose the melodies and harmonies, that’s a plus, but in your quest of becoming a songwriter, the lyrics are what you need to pay the most attention to.

It’s important to have more than a few songs up your sleeve. Work on building a vast repertoire of content that can be used across a variety of styles, brands, and artists. Practice makes perfect—be sure to write, write, write!

Cultivate a Network of Creators

Collaboration can be tricky for some artists, but in the journey to becoming a songwriter, you’ll have to learn how to co-create with others in the industry. Whether it’s musicians or performers, your art will be impacted by the people you work with. So, build a network of high-quality artists and creators you can trust.

It can be tough maneuvering the ins and outs of the industry, but you’ll appreciate having people in your corner who want to see you succeed and can inspire your artistic abilities.

Distribute Your Songs

This one seems obvious, but becoming a songwriter requires you put yourself and your work out there! After you’ve created a portfolio of songs you feel confident in, be sure to distribute it to studios, record labels, artists, and anyone who could help get your work seen. You can do this online through social media, your website, or even some classic CDs.

When distributing, be sure to have your work copyrighted and keep documented proof that you wrote your songs. Once you start putting your work out there, it’s easy for people to rip off your ideas and pass them off as their own. So, knowing how to get signed as a songwriter also entails a little knowledge of how to keep your work protected.

Create Sample Tracks and Demos

If you really want people to grasp your songwriting skills, create sample tracks and demos. Becoming a songwriter requires a bit more than just writing your work down on paper. Having audio samples of your lyrics in action with a vocalist and instruments can make all the difference when discovering how to get signed as a songwriter.

Whether you supply the vocals and instruments or you outsource among your trusted network, having some music to go along with your lyrics can go a long way when trying to distribute your songs.

Remember to Market Yourself

It can be the bane of your existence or one of the greatest joys, but becoming a songwriter will more than likely require some social media management. Whether it’s Facebook, Twitter, Tik Tok, or Instagram, having a following of people who regularly view your profile and get exposed to your music can go a long way in helping you make it in the music industry.

Plus, you can increase your social media status by creating an interactive experience. Go live and ask viewers what they think about certain lyrics or tease out some new content every week. The limits are endless when it comes to social media, and becoming the master of yours will help you go far in learning how to get signed as a songwriter and develop a brand.

At 1500 Sound Academy, we offer classes and training in audio engineering, songwriting, mixing, and more. Our experts are here to help you make it in the industry and be the artist you want to be. Sign up today!