If you’re looking for ways to make money from home, it might be worth exploring the growing ‘gig-working’ trend. Launching a gig-working business can be a profitable venture, but carving out a niche in a crowded market can still leave you struggling to survive. If you’re curious about how to become a successful songwriter without ruining your soul, this article will run you through the steps to get you started.
The Growth of Online Gig-working Platforms
For those seeking an alternative to traditional 9-5 jobs, the gig-working trend offers several valuable opportunities. In addition to providing you with a steady flow of income, many gig-working ventures allow you to become a songwriter, editor, or producer. If you’re passionate about a particular subject matter, you can even find a niche in which to specialize, resulting in even more profitable ventures.
Traditional 9-5 jobs can be stressful, unproductive, and even unrewarding. For those seeking flexibility, the gig-working trend represents a godsend. If you’re curious about how to become a successful songwriter without ruining your soul, you’ll find all the information you need within.
Step 1: Set Up Regular Work Schedules and Stick To Them
In any regularly scheduled business, you’ll find that things tend to happen according to plan. The same goes for running a successful songwriting and production team. You’ll want to establish a solid work schedule, setting aside time each week to collaborate with other songwriters and producers, and sticking to it as closely as possible. When you do this, you prepare yourself for the possibility of more work, which could generate more income.
Step 2: Hone Your Skills As A Writer And A Producer
As a writer, you’ll want to put in the time to develop your skills and hone your craft. The more you write, the better you’ll become at it. It’s a similar story with producing. The more you produce, the more you’ll discover your unique taste and style, resulting in a steady increase of quality output. Once you hit a certain level of proficiency, you can even start looking for clients, establishing yourself as an expert in your field.
As a writer, you’ll also want to develop a strong listening ear. You can start by listening to a wide range of artists, from established acts to up-and-coming bands, discovering new albums and songs that you enjoy and that can be useful when pitching your own material to other producers and songwriters. You can also search for songs on YouTube that illustrate your points, using the analytical tools available to you to discern the characteristics of a successful song. Take the time to develop your craft and in no time at all, you’ll be able to prove your worth as a songwriter.
Step 3: Identify Your Niche
Once you’re able to consistently churn out quality material, you might be tempted to throw your hat in the ring and pursue the crowds. However, it’s a good idea to ride the wave and to see how other successful songwriters interact with their fans. By paying close attention to the social media activity of more established acts, you’ll discover the kinds of techniques they use to engage with their audience, which you can implement to gain a similar level of support. Doing this can put you on the path to becoming a successful songwriter, allowing you to specialize in engaging with your audience via social media.
Step 4: Find A Manager To Take Care Of Business Matters
To run a successful songwriting business, you’ll need a good manager who can take care of the administrative details, keeping track of contracts, speaking with publishers and record labels, and ensuring that your songs are played on the right radio stations and in the right places. Finding a manager who’s familiar with the industry can be a considerable advantage, as you’ll be able to navigate the sometimes Byzantine world of publishing and rock radio much more easily. If you’re looking for someone to help you get your songs out there, consider a manager who’s experienced in digital marketing, with an emphasis on social media.
Step 5: Generate More Sales By Utilizing All Available Channels
As a songwriter, you’ll want to utilize every available opportunity to increase your exposure and brand recognition. This means engaging with the public via traditional and social media, as well as exploring affiliate marketing, sponsored posts, and a variety of other paid and unpaid marketing opportunities. When you do this, you can start to see the results of your hard work, with your songs being played on the radio and receiving digital promotion, resulting in increased album sales and YouTube views. Having a healthy social media presence is also essential, with the key word being ‘healthy’. Avoid taking on too much content, focusing instead on creating valuable and engaging content that will attract potential customers to your business. If you do this consistently, you’ll see your album sales increase and you’ll gain the recognition you deserve as a songwriter.
To be able to work remotely and generate enough income to cover your basic living expenses, you’ll want to create and maintain a full-time schedule, churning out more and more content while continuing to develop your craft. Although it’s a seemingly overnight success story, gaining enough fans to make a living off music can take years of hard work, so be patient and remember to take time to celebrate your achievements along the way. At the end of the day, having a passion for something can be enough to make you a successful songwriter, provided you develop the right mindset and work hard enough to see it through.