Mike Dunbar said most of what you need to know.

I will add this: Do not spend money on anything. Writing a song costs nothing. Making a simple vocal/instrument recording of any song you write costs next to nothing (and for most people with a computer you have all you need to do it for free). As a young writer, first write 20 songs. I mean fully finished, as best you can at whatever talent level you are at. When the 20th song is finished, listen to them all and identify all the ways YOU could improve them, from better lyrics, to different lyrics, to better melodies, to different melodies, to better arrangements (not just instrumentation, but literally where the verse chorus bridge pre chorus lengths and orders take place) and fix all those things on each and every song. Now go back and tweak them again as each step I am telling you will educate you on how to do it better. Once you think you have written them the best you possibly can, then come here, post your very best song and ask for free feedback. If 10 people here who have more than 300 posts all agree that it doesn't need any improvements, then bring another and repeat. If they DO think they need help, listen to what they have to say. Experiment on any suggestions you think might improve your best song. If you agree with any of those suggestions, implement them. Then realize you need to go back over your other 19 songs and consider if what you thought was your best work had some problems, you still have a lot to learn. That's okay though. That is what being a serious professional songwriter or even artist is all about.

My point is that long before you ever have reason to spend a penny and even longer before you think about sending material to people in the "industry" who actually matter, you most likely have a lot of work to do. Why 20 songs? It takes that many to find out if you have what it takes. Talent? Nope.. it won't indicate that at all. But it will demonstrate a skill even more important: Persistence.

I could go on, but you get the idea. If you don't, one day you will if you hope to compete in the real music business.

Brian

Brian Austin Whitney
Founder
Just Plain Folks
jpfolkspro@gmail.com
Skype: Brian Austin Whitney
Facebook: www.facebook.com/justplainfolks

"Don't sit around and wait for success to come to you... it doesn't know the way." -Brian Austin Whitney

"It's easier to be the bigger man when you actually are..." -Brian Austin Whitney

"Sometimes all you have to do to inspire humans to greatness is to give them a reason and opportunity to do something great." -Brian Austin Whitney