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Joined: Aug 2011
Posts: 22
Casual Observer
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Casual Observer
Joined: Aug 2011
Posts: 22 |
I have been writing songs for a while, but the past couple of months I have been dying to really begin pursuing a songwriting career. It's not like I was in limbo before and didn't know if it was something I wanted to do. I just have reached the point where I feel like I'm ready to start moving forward and I don't want to wait any longer. Money is a big problem for me right now. I would like to be saving money for a demo rigt now, but things keep coming up and it's really hard for me to set money aside. I even may have to ask a friend to cover a couple of meals this week until I get my next paycheck. I understand that it just means more waiting. I'm not expecting the problem to just disappear because I want it to and I'm not expecting anyone to pity me because it may be a longer wait than I originally thought. I'm just curious to know what other songwriters do to deal with these types of financial difficulties. How do you invest in your career when you don't have the money? And how do you prioritize what you need to invest in? ~Eliza
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Joined: Dec 2008
Posts: 10,190 Likes: 30
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Top 20 Poster
Joined: Dec 2008
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Tough question to answer without knowing all the particulars Eliza. Often people are short money, but buy necessities like cigarettes and alcohol (not saying you do). Don't know how you prioritize you're spending, or how many hours you spend making money. Sometimes a part-time job will pay for recording gear in a matter of several months. You may be able to barter with a local recording studio. Doing odd jobs for recording time. Most the time these situations take some kind of sacrifice. But if you're really serious, you'll find a way. Anyway, good luck! Best, John
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Joined: Apr 2006
Posts: 6,114
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Hi Eliza, you came to the right place. Are you a lyricist? Do you write melodies? Do you play an instrument? Or all. If you do all, then you have an advantage.
You can start by submitting your lyrics for review on one of the Lyrics boards. The trade off is that you review others lyrics. If you write lyrics only, it's possible that you can find a co-writer to provide a melody. It's also possible to find a co-writer who is a musician and has home recording capabilities. If you find a writing partner here who can make a demo at home, they shouldn't charge you, since the song is 50/50.
We also have several demo services here that are as basic as it gets, to a full blown production. All reasonably priced.
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Joined: Dec 2008
Posts: 10,190 Likes: 30
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Ben is right Eliza. Collaborating may be your ticket. Best, John
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Joined: May 2006
Posts: 7,911 Likes: 1
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Joined: May 2006
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Eliza,
If you think songwriting is going to solve your financial problems, you are delusional. Look at it as a hobby and if you happen to make money from it you will be pleasantly surprised. There are perhaps a handful of songwriters in the US, out of hundreds of thousands, who make enough money from songwriting to live on. The rest have a day job.
If you want to make money from music in the short term, better start playing some gigs.
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Joined: Aug 2009
Posts: 706
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Top 500 Poster
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I'm just curious to know what other songwriters do to deal with these types of financial difficulties. How do you invest in your career when you don't have the money? And how do you prioritize what you need to invest in? ~Eliza There are some songwriters who pay thousands of dollars to attend seminars/weekends/workshops put on by industry "experts" and others. You could go to these for example: http://songwriterinstitute.com/elite_retreat.php, http://www.horseandwriter.com/HW/Choice_Page.html, http://www.jeffreysteele.net/bootcam...ing-boot-camp/There are other (and I think better) options too that don't cost as much money and you said money is an issue. I relate. There have been times my life was divided into $20 blocks. On demos, before I did some I would read the responses already posted to your question. Get some other ideas on your song. You may be really good but chances are you're not quite ready for the demo route, at least not a demo to pitch for recording consideration. I believe unsigned undiscovered writers need to go through publishers. For a publisher, and I know folks will argue with me on this, the demo is less important than it is for someone further up the chain. I would try to find a local band or artist to do the song and find someone who knows how to record with a home studio. There are computer nerds everywhere who love to turn knobs and push buttons and click a mouse and if you can find one who has a knack for music production, you'll save a lot of money. Sometimes they'll do it for free just for the joy of feeling like a producer. Same with a band - they might do the song just so they can say they did some original music. NOTE: Some will argue about this too but I would register anything submitted for recording/playing with the copyright office before making the submission. Just do one of the copyright deals where you do a bunch under one title, like "Songs of Songbyeliza vol. 1" If I were going to have a demo done by a professional demo studio I would probably go with a guitar/vocal and add a second guitar or a piano. It's cheaper than a full band demo and I think that should be able to get the song across to most publishers.
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Joined: Apr 2005
Posts: 7,997
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Top 20 Poster
Joined: Apr 2005
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Hi
Great advice given to you here. We need to know what you do musically. Are you a lyricist only or both music and lyrics?, are you a songwriter only or an artist as well? Do you sing do you play?
You'll never have the TIME to be 100% about songwriting if you have to work other jobs to live. And you'll starve to death and fold in if you wait to feed yourself from writing songs or playing original music.
1- So the first thing you need to do personally is make SACRIFICES!
That means TIME, and nothing comes before your music goals. I don't want to sound harsh or like a tyrant but basically it's bye bye boyfriends, no new clothes, no vacations, no habits like cigarettes or drinking (not implying you do all these things or indulge in everything) You may like to do other things that require time or money. They will have to be put aside.
2- I'm gonna guess you write but don't perform. FIND those who do. You must collaborate find artists who are not so filled up with themselves or are at least open minded to the idea of doing someone else's songs. You need FRIENDS who share the same goals. Write together and split the costs.
You must team up with others, to get started! You work any job to eat and pay bills, the rest of your time and effort is spent on your music.
All the best Mike
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Joined: Dec 2006
Posts: 5,668 Likes: 42
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Top 50 Poster
Joined: Dec 2006
Posts: 5,668 Likes: 42 |
Time is money. You can 'spend' your time, or 'invest' your time. 'Investment' implies an expectation of a 'Return-On-Investment' (ROI). 'Spending' just says the money went somewhere, and you consumed something.
A great place to invest your time may be your local library. Here in Ohio I've gotten my library to borrow books from other libraries, Ohio University in Athens, Ohio, Wright State U. in Dayton. Your library may have books on its shelves and not need to borrow them at all. Your success demands education, and they may have, or may be able to get, the 'textbooks' you need to educate yourself.
Increasing your income is a matter of getting it on your mind and then watching for opportunities. Once you have it on your mind you'll 'see' opportunities that you usually miss because it wasn't on your mind. It may still be a slow process, but you do have time to invest so...
A lot of people seem to record with very little investment, and get product competent to market themselves.
The more you know, and the more you can do for yourself, the cheaper it can be.
There will always be another song to be written. Someone will write it. Why not you? www.garyeandrews.com
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Joined: Feb 2005
Posts: 7,831
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Top 30 Poster
Joined: Feb 2005
Posts: 7,831 |
Hi Eliza:
Songwriting as a career is difficult at best... but not impossible. You did not mention a desire to be a performer but that is also a steep climb. Both or either can be a rewarding hobby if you are willing to endure the anxiety of the steep learning curve involved.
Pity the lyricist for they cannot write melodies. Pity the composer for they cannot write lyrics... LOL! Doing both is considered a blessing and a curse. It will take up all your time, alientate your spouse (unless he is also musically inclined) and drive you to a form of insanity I call write-itis.
If you want people to hear your songs, you'll either have to learn recording or pay someone to do it for you. If you don't play an instrument... same deal.
Getting somebody who "counts" to hear your songs is next to impossible... no matter how accomplished and talented you happen to be. It's all about being an insider and "who you have gotten to know" in order to be heard.
As others have said, co-writing is an avenue you might consider but you can "go it alone" if that works best for you. Finding the right person or persons to collaborate with is not an easy thing either. People tend to be lazy or fractious. Some are akin to Republicans and Democrats... just "one way" schnooks.
Before I forget, welcome to JPF. This is a good place to learn all manner of things... and to develop lots of bad habits... like posting too often, putting up threads that have nothing to do with music and generally being annoying... like me... LOL!
I wish you all the very best. If you have more questions... feel free to ask.
Dave
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"If one man can do it, any man can do it. It is true. But the real question is, if one man did it, are you willing to do what it takes to do it as well?" –Brian Austin Whitney
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