How Songwriters Can Make Money: From Royalties to Song Placements
You’ve poured your heart and soul into writing a song, and now you dream of sharing it with the world. But beyond the passion and creativity, there’s a practical question: how can songwriters actually make money from their music?
In this blog we’ll explore various ways to transform your songwriting skills into a steady stream of income, empowering you to navigate the exciting yet sometimes confusing world of the music industry.
Make money the Classic Route
Imagine the thrill of hearing your song belted out by a chart-topping artist. That’s the dream for many songwriters, and it’s achievable! This involves what’s called a “song placement” – getting your song recorded by a well-known artist. The process usually involves pitching your songs to artists, record labels, or music publishers. Think of a music publisher as your musical matchmaker. They connect your songs with artists who might be a perfect fit, increasing your chances of a hit.
Here’s how to get your foot in the door:
- Network: The music industry thrives on connections. Attend industry events, workshops, or conferences. Introduce yourself to music producers, A&R representatives , and other songwriters. Building relationships is key!
- Demos: A demo is a recording of your song, a first impression for potential collaborators. Make sure your demos are polished and professional. Invest in good quality recording equipment if possible, or collaborate with a producer who can help you create demos that sound radio-ready.
- Become a Staff Songwriter: Some songwriters get hired by music publishers to write songs on a regular basis. It’s a stable income source, but there might be more creative restrictions as you might be writing for specific genres or artists.
Make Money from Recordings
Every time your song gets played, downloaded, or streamed, you earn royalties! Think of it as a small thank you for creating the music. There are two main types of royalties songwriters earn:
- Mechanical Royalties: These come into play when your song is reproduced in a physical form, like being downloaded or included on a CD. Whenever someone buys a song or album that features your work, you get a small cut.
- Performance Royalties: This is your song being played in public – radio stations, TV shows, even in-store playlists. Every time your song is played publicly, you earn performance royalties.
Collecting Your Royalties
There are organizations called Performing Rights Organizations (PROs) like ASCAP, BMI, and SESAC that track song plays and collect royalties on your behalf. Signing up with one of these PROs is crucial to ensure you get paid what you deserve.
Expanding Your Income Streams
- Sync Licensing: This involves licensing your music for use in movies, TV shows, commercials, video games, or even YouTube videos. Imagine your song becoming the soundtrack to a heart-wrenching movie scene or an epic video game battle! This can be a great way to expose your music to a wider audience and earn a one-time fee for the licensing rights.
- Independent Artist Collaboration: Don’t limit yourself to the big labels. The world of independent music is thriving. Connect with independent artists who might be looking for original songs. This can be a win-win situation, helping both of you gain exposure and grow your fan base.Sell Your Songs Online: Platforms like CD Baby or TuneCore allow you to sell your music directly to fans as downloads. This gives you more control over your music and keeps a larger share of the profits compared to traditional record deals.
- Become a Songwriting Teacher: Share your knowledge and passion by teaching songwriting to aspiring musicians. There are many online platforms or music schools where you can offer your expertise. This can be a rewarding way to earn income while helping others develop their craft.
Remember, being a successful songwriter isn’t a one-size-fits-all journey. Explore different avenues, experiment with various styles, find what works for you, and most importantly, never stop creating music that moves you and resonates with others.
