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How to promote your music and get clients as a songwriter

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How to Promote Your Music – It’s really frustrating, right? You are a songwriter and you write really good songs. People who have listened to your songs such as your friends and family tell you that you have the talent for writing awesome songs and lyrics. But the problem is that you have not been able to get clients to hire you to write songs for them. And this is giving you sleepless nights and leaving you frustrated.

 

The simple truth is that if you do not know how to promote your music and let people know about the services you offer, then no one will hire you. It’s that simple…

In this article I will be showing you some easy ways on How to Promote Your Music and get clients as a songwriter.

  1. You need to niche down and dominate it in order to get clients as a songwriter

Before we get started on the tips to market yourself, there is something very important you need to know about. That is you need to pick a niche and then dominate it. By this I simply mean, picking one genre of music and becoming a master there. You do not want to be known as that “music songwriter”, instead you want to be known as that jazz or country or rock music songwriter.

By picking a niche and dominating it, you become the go to guy when clients need lyrics in that genre of music. This gives you an edge and helps you stand out amidst the many songwriters out there struggling to get by and will allow you to get clients as a songwriter.

  1. You need to go digital to get clients as a songwriter

Thanks to technology and the internet, with a website and written content you can reach millions of people everyday. So you need to take advantage of this opportunity. Start by getting a blog and provide value for your fans and audience.

The keyword here is “value”. You want to provide so much value for prospective clients that they see you as an expert and the go-to guy when they need your services. Also by having a website and a blog, you can upload samples of your writings and lyrics that people can download and assess your work.

Most importantly, you can begin to build a fan base by collecting email addresses on your website and giving then tips and advice that they can use to stay in touch with you and your brand. By building your fan base you have an army that will spread the word about you to their friends and increase your reach.

  1.  You need to embrace social media to get clients as a songwriter

Social media is probably the hottest thing right now. If you are looking for the fastest way to spread your name and become known then you need to jump on the social media bandwagon.

By having social media profiles on the major platforms (Facebook, Twitter and Instagram), you can easily get heard by a lot of people. Just imagine that recently Facebook announced that they have about 1 billion active users on their platform. That’s really huge if you ask me and you do not need that amount of people to become successful. All you need is a way to reach some of those people, preferably within your local community and build up your fan base.

By posting your lyrics and songs you have completed online, you get to have people connecting with you and your brand. Maintaining a social network presence is one of the most time effective strategies that you can employ to get yourself known and attract paying clients to your business.

  1. Get out there and network to get clients as a songwriter

This is one idea that a lot of people find very difficult. Most people (myself included) would prefer to sit in my house and do all the interactions by mail or by phone. But unfortunately, this does not work very well.

As a songwriter trying to get clients, you need to be ready to meet people and do a lot of networking. Now I am not advising that you travel around the country just to network. You can and should start small by meeting people around your community.

One phrase that I like so much is “It’s all about who you know”. While this might sound like a cliché, it is absolutely true. You need to keep your ear to the ground and go out and network with people in the same industry as you.

One thing you need to know about networking is that you want to avoid coming across as a needy or offensive. Think about what you can offer to the other person even before you pitch your services. This way the relationship is more of a win win situation than a needy one.

  1. Pick someone and develop them to get clients as a songwriter

This point is all about working with an upcoming artist and providing lyrics for them. The advantage of this is that you get to flex your creative writing skills while using the artist as a stage to project your lyrics.

The truth is that when starting out, you are going to find it a little difficult to get noticed by the big boys in your industry. The best way to get on their radar is to have an upcoming artist who you can easily work with sing your lyrics. This way you are not just pitching them lyrics, you are also showing them a complete work and how your lyrics sound with instrumentals. This helps you become recognized as an expert and someone that they actually want to work with.

Conclusion

Promoting yourself is crucial to your success and will help you get clients as a songwriter.  It is probably more important than stage performance or understanding song theory. The truth is that if nobody knows you, then nobody hires you. So unless you are a songwriter simply for fun, then you need to take the points discussed in this article very serious.

 

How to promote your music and get clients as a songwriter is a guest post by Uche Ibe.

Uche Ibe is a passionate singer and blogger as www.welovesinging.com. He enjoys teaching people how to sing and helping them become better singers. You can connect with him by visiting his blog or sending him an email.

 

Top 10 Home Recording Studio Essentials

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It is no longer news that having a private home studio is fast becoming a trend in the music industry. That being said, owning a home recording studio has several  advantages for prospective song writers, music producers, artiste or composers.

Some of these are:

  • Quick release of the muse
  • Easy conversion of ideas into solid work
  • A stepping stone to a commercial studio

Now that you know how important a home studio is to your career, let’s talk about finding the best Home Recording Studio Essentials.

This list of Home Recording Studio Essentials will include everything you need to create your own economical and effective recording studio that is as close to the real thing as you can get. For starters, pick out a studio design.

 

  1. A GOOD COMPUTER:

The problem with finding the perfect computer for your home recording studio essentials is that there are so many choices.

This may make it easier:

  • If you already have a laptop or desktop, you might as well start up with that
  • If you crave something better and faster, then try buying either a mac or a PC with amazing processing speed
  • If you desire the best, then opt for a mac desktop and cruise your way to good quality

 

  1. AN IDEAL DAW:

DAW simply means digital audio workstation.

Once again, the problem of being overwhelmed by the array of DAWs available comes to play. I advise that you explore as much as possible and discover which works best for you.

Some of the popular names in the game of home recording studio essentials are: pro tools, FL studio, able ton, Presonus studio one, cakewalk sonar, propeller head reason, MOTU digital performer, Steinberg Cubase and logic pro

 

  1. AUDIO INTERFACE

An audio interface performs the function of transmitting music in and out of the computer and is definitely a cornerstone of every list of home recording studio essentials.

 

  1. MICROPHONE AND ACCESSORIES:

When choosing a mic for your home studio, I will advise that you go for the best possible quality within your budget. That being said, just buy what you can afford. Unless of course, you have plans of making professional use of whatever comes out of that studio.

Also, when purchasing your microphone, you must not forget to add a mic stand and pop filter which I consider absolutely necessary. But that’s just an opinion. Feel free to start small and add to your own home recording studio essentials as your music career grows.

 

  1. HEADPHONES:

It goes without saying that these are a complete necessity also. An essential headphone for your home studio will be able to isolate other sounds and noises so you can get the full effect of your music. It is important to note that studio headphones are different from regular headphones. Always buy over-the-ear headphones; usually the bigger brands are a good bet.

 

  1. STUDIO MONITOR:

Studio monitors perform a totally different function from regular speakers. They are built to give you real output while consumer speakers are built to appease the sense of hearing. As with headphones, buying an established brand will keep you happy in your home studio.

 

  1. MIDI CONTROLLER:

I feel this is also a complete necessity not because I am an instrumentalist but because I have learned from experience that making music without one of these while still very possible can be one hell of a ride. If you are a music aficionado like me, then you very well understand the need for creative freedom. (Well that’s what a midi controller offers you)

 

  1. VIRTUAL INSTRUMENTS AND SOFTWARE PLUGINS:

While some folks might dispute the validity of these things on my list, I feel bold to say their presence is well deserved. Consider the virtual instrument a software version of all musical instruments like drums, keyboards, guitar, etc. The software plugins are used as special effects needed to spice up your recording.

 

  1. CABLES:

Naturally, when you’re planning your home recording studio essentials, don’t forget to buy the right type of cables to get your new gear actually working! For a starter, you might just need cables for your mic, audio interface and monitors. Specifically, four cables should be a good start.

 

  1. WORKSTATION:

For professional musicians, your studio is a company and they consider the workstation their office.  That means getting a proper desk to accommodate all of your new gear and a comfortable chair that you can sit in for 8 hours or more a day. Don’t over sweat it, but do not neglect it either. A nice and comfortable chair with an efficient desk that maximizes equipment like the computer, midi controller and audio interface should work just fine. If you find it convenient, you might add the studio monitor to the mix but it is not mandatory.

 

There they are: my ultimate list of home recording studio essentials. With these, you are well on your way to building up your passion and your career. Never become complacent with your home recording studio essentials. Music is a world without barrier and limitation. Always aspire to own your pro studio and gain respect in your field of expertise.

 

 

Top 10 Home Recording Studio Essentials is a guest post written by Emmanuel Chika, a seasoned freelance writer and music producer. He provides musical solutions for people through his creative endeavors.For further information, you can reach him through this website here.

The Ultimate Independent Musician Guide to Distributing Music

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A lot of the independent artists who perform at youbloomLA and youbloomDublin ask us what the best way to distribute their music is. Some don’t have the luxury of massive record labels like Sony and Universal to distribute their music for them. For other independent artists, signing to a record label is a possibility, however, they choose to take control of every aspect of their music career instead. This includes choosing how they distribute their own music.  Let’s take a look at all of the distribution channels available to independent artists in youbloom’s Ultimate Independent Musician Guide to Distributing Music.

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How to Get Fans to Listen to Your Music

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Every musician wants people to hear their music. Why wouldn’t they? They put so much energy, emotions, and themselves in their songs and want to share it with the world. They write and record for hours and post the songs up on sites, hoping that people will hear their music. The problem is, there is so much music out there that some people are getting overloaded by music and find it difficult to listen to songs from musicians they don’t already know. So, how does one get fans and possible fans to listen to their music? Here are some tips that might help:

How to Get Fans to Listen to Your Music

Songs:

The first thing you want to look at is the song themselves. You want to make sure the quality is good and if it’s something that you would listen to. Even recording in a bedroom or basement can produce some good quality sounding music. You’ve got to listen to every detail before putting it out. Just recording won’t work and posting won’t work. You will listen to the song if it’s yours, but if it’s from another artist doing it in that quality, would you listen to it?

Don’t rush to get the song out. Fans will know if it’s been rushed and shy away from listening to it. You put the time and effort into writing it, why not show them that in the recording? Fans will feel like you didn’t care about the song or them. Take your time. They will wait for it to come out the right way. You also don’t want to rush and put out a bunch of songs at once. As the old saying goes, its quality over quantity. Fans would rather hear one amazing song than 10 average songs that have been put together fast.

 

Fans:

The next thing you want to think about is the fans. They are the ones who will be listening and passing the songs on to others. You want to make sure you find the right fans as well. Just because they follow you back on Twitter or Instagram doesn’t mean they’ll want to actually listen to your music. Nowadays, people will follow anyone online to get numbers. Do research on them and see what they’re posting and who they’re talking about before sending them music. You want to make sure you put effort into the right people.

Once you find the right people, you want to show them that you actually care about them. Send them a personal message or comment, not a generic one with a link to your music. People are tired of getting messages every time they add a band that just talks about the band and has a link to the music. They want to know about the people in the band as people, not as just musicians. Talk to people after shows, whether they were there for you or not. If you’re performing with someone they like, they will most likely be interested in your music as well. Don’t just talk about the music either. Talk to them about anything and then talking about music will flow in the conversation without sounding like you’re forcing it on them.

Do things for the fans, don’t expect them to do things for you. Fans will wait for new music, but you want to show them that you’re still thinking about them while writing, recording, and doing shows. Post short videos of what you’re doing. Either of the songs you’re recording/practicing or of acoustic covers of songs they want to hear you do or that you want to do, or of just daily things you’re doing. Post things on social media sites of things you’re interested in. There are sites that will help you post on all them at once. Live streams are great ways to do things. FaceBook has made it so easy to do that since everyone is on there anyway. Another great site is Twitch. Those are the most popular ones that people will hear you on.

 

Promotion:

The last thing is promotion. A lot of people think this should be the first thing, but I personally believe that once you have everything else, promotion will be easier. You need a song in order to promote and to do shows with so people can hear your music. Fans will hear your song at a shows and then help spread the songs around. Not saying that you should just use fans to promote, but if you get the right relationship with them and show them you care, they will want to help you without you even asking.

Finding shows isn’t easy if you don’t have many fans, but if you find the right musicians who are willing to put you on a show with them, you will be able to get on a bill. Some venues are even willing to give any bands a chance, but you want to make sure you play with others who are in the same genre. Performing with someone who is in the same genre as you will help you gain fans and will have people who will be interested in you. For example, if you’re a metal band and you end up on a bill with a very pop oriented performer, it will be hard for either fans to like either of the performers. Getting on a bill with like performers isn’t all you need to do. Help promote those performers and they will help you back. Performers can help each other. Post their shows and tag them in things. The tags will show you tagging them and their fans will want to know about you.

 

These things may not always work and may not work for everyone. The one thing to remember is to have quality over quantity with the music and to have a relationship with fans and other performers you’re working with. They will be the ones who help.

Michele Enoch

Michele Enoch is a music business graduate from Musicians Institute who has managed and promoted bands for years. She is now working on her photography and helping performers advance in their career. Her passion has always been music and she is exploring all aspects of the industry. Michele appreciates all kinds of music and seeing music in all kinds of environments. She enjoys crocheting hats and toys, reading and writing mystery and horror stories, taking pictures of everything she can, food from around the world, and adorable animals. She is always on the look out for anything new and exciting.

8 Reasons Why Students are Losing Interest in Musical Instruments

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Are Students are Losing Interest in Musical Instruments?

It’s true that nowadays most of the schools provide music education to students as a part of their curriculum. However, even after being a crucial part of education most of the students lose interest in music after a point of time. They stop playing their instruments a couple of years after completing their education, which is really unfortunate. And in some cases, students start distancing themselves from their musical instruments when they are still in school. When you are still being taught by a music teacher the student has to have that inquisitiveness to learn new things about their instruments each day, but unfortunately that does not always happen in today’s society.

 

Students must have a strong determination to understand the technicalities of playing different types of musical instruments, but when they start to losing focus they fail to make a mark or achieve success in this area. Music helps in growing your numerous skills, so you should not try to detach from it. In other words, you should try to take music seriously if you want to bring that discipline in your life and enhance your cognitive, and social skills.

 

Here are 8 Reasons Why Students are Losing Interest in Musical Instruments

 

#1. Incompetent Music Teacher

If the teacher accountable for igniting that spark in you is incompetent, then you surely start losing your interest in learning music. Teaching is an art, and your music teacher has to be really good at it, otherwise he/she will never be able to transform his/her students into good musicians. It’s a job that requires sheer skills when it comes to getting closer to the students and sparking their interest in music. And if those skills are missing in your teacher, you can hardly become an enthusiastic musician.

 

Your teacher has to be really inspiring who can motivate you to take new challenges and become successful in conquering them.

 

#2. Parents’ Failure To Support The Child

 

Some parents are least bothered about enabling a proper music education to their children, because of which their kids start losing interest in learning musical instruments. What actually happens is, sometimes parents fail to understand the importance of music for their children and hence, they never motivate them to focus on deep learning in this area. And because of that, even kids start ignoring the significance of music, which is really heartbreaking.

 

Parents are always very insecure about the career of their kids, so they want them to focus on their main subjects such as mathematics, physics, chemistry, biology and history etc., which is actually the biggest mistake. That means, rather than forcing their children to focus on only aforementioned subjects they should also try to motivate them to learn music, dance, and sports, which can play a great role in enhancing their personality and making them multitalented.

 

#3. Failing To Practice Music Regularly

 

Music students must try to practice their instruments on a regular basis, otherwise, they won’t be able to enhance their musical skills, which will eventually kill their interest. That means, in order to keep their interest alive, it’s important for you to stay connected to your instruments. Whether you play guitar, piano, drums, brass, or percussion you should keep on practicing them regularly.

 

#4. Unable To Find A Good Music Academy

 

Sometimes Students are Losing Interest in Musical Instruments because a student is really interested in learning different types of musical instruments but he/she fails to get a good music academy for that. In that case, even though you have enough passion for music, it starts waning away slowly and gradually in the absence of a reputable music academy.

 

It’s very important that enthusiastic music students can get access to music academies which offers extraordinary workshops that can allow students to polish their music skills. Different music genres can help in study, so it’s important that children try to learn them.

 

#5. Children Fail To Identify How To Improve Themselves

 

Since children do not know much about how to improve their skills, they usually stuck in initial stages itself. If you really want to learn something it’s important that you face new challenges and deal with them effectively. However, when you cannot identify a right way to proceed with your music studies, you surely cannot improve which eventually eliminates your interest in it. Therefore, having a right road map is tremendously important for music students.

 

#6. Over Confidence Is Also Very Dangerous

 

Sometimes students are losing interest in musical instruments because they are over confident which makes them really arrogant and they think that they know everything and hence stop practicing with their instruments. Having confidence in yourself is really important for your growth, but over confidence is really harmful. You cannot expect to enhance your capabilities and skills if you have overconfidence in yourself.

 

#7. Students are Losing Interest in Musical Instruments During Holidays

 

During holidays students are occupied with a variety of other activities due to which they do not find sufficient time to practice their instruments. As they stop studying during summer holidays, similarly they also stop thinking about music which is not really good for them.

 

#8. Students Should Opt For Music Workshops During Summer Holidays

 

Parents should ensure that their kids attend a couple of summer music workshops during the holidays so that they can learn something unique from them. In this way, they can also meet new people and interact with them. And their no denying the fact that when you communicate with new people you definitely learn a lot of new things which brings a unique charm in your personality.

 

The above description clearly indicates that due to the lack of motivation and students’ inability to find good music teacher they start losing their interest in learning their music instruments. Hence parents should keep on encouraging their kids to learn something new regarding music on a daily basis.

 

8 Reasons Why Students are Losing Interest in Musical Instruments is a guest post written by David Milsont.

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