Regrets of a wanna-be rock star
Trying to be everything to everyone, or changing your style to fit the mood du jour, is not a recipe for long-time success. You have to focus on being the best you that you can be (or be a wanna-be). Read More.
music career goals
Writing lyrics with depth
If you are interested in writing lyrics with depth, you need a deep artistic well to draw from. All output requires input, and as a lyricist, I recommend you begin with words. Read the post.
How to make the most of Facebook songwriting groups (or, stop ruining Facebook!)
Brent Baxter and Johnny Dwinell discuss strategies on how to behave as a member of Facebook songwriting groups. Excerpted from The CLIMB podcast, “STOP Ruining Facebook and Your Career.” Read More.
Crafting the right song demo can maximize the chances of having your music cut by major artists
Your song has to be great for you to have a chance at landing a cut with a major artist, and your song demo has to hit the right notes, too. Read More.
Five things to do before pitching your music to Spotify playlists
Getting your music on Spotify playlists can be difficult. Let’s start at the beginning and focus on the things you should have in place before you even start pitching your tracks. Read More.
Are you writing for an audience of one, or one million? Mailbox Money, Part 4
If you’re hoping to land a cut, there’s one listener who definitely must connect with your song: the artist you’re pitching to. That’s your first listener, the one who will hear it before the masses. Read More.
The song pitch: 9 tips for getting your songs heard by major artists
We spoke to a music industry veteran to get 10 tips on how to perfect your song pitch and maximize your chances of major artists hearing – and possibly recording – one of your original songs. Read More.
Landing a cut can jump-start your music career: Mailbox money, Part III
Being a performing artist isn’t the only way to make a living in the music business. Landing a cut can be a way to kick off your solo career, or it could be a way to long-term success as a songwriter. Read More.
Hear More “Yes” in 2018
A new year always brings new potential and new opportunities, but the first step is knowing exactly what you’re aiming for. Here are a few things you can do to start hearing a lot more “yes” in 2018. Read More.
The first steps to pitching your songs: Mailbox money, Part II
You may already have the makings of a network that can help you pitch your songs to other artists — maybe even signed artists. Do your homework. You might be sitting on a mountain of contacts who could open doors of opportunity for you to earn some mailbox money. Read More.
Mailbox money: How cuts can increase your money-making potential
A “pitch” is when a song is presented to an artist in the hopes the artist will record it. When an artist records your song, it is commonly called a “cut.” When you get a cut, it can lead to a wonderful thing called “mailbox money.” Read More.
Are you ready to quit your day job and do music full time?
I’ve seen so many musicians go from working day jobs to making a comfortable living off their music full time. But if you’re making this big transition, you owe it to yourself to acknowledge the reality of it all. Read More.
3 steps to get your songs in music libraries
For indie musicians and songwriters who don’t yet have connections in publishing and licensing, music libraries are one way you can seek music licensing opportunities. Read the post.
Use a SWOT analysis to focus your music marketing
A SWOT analysis (Strengths, Weaknesses, Opportunities, Threats) is a tool used by some of the most innovative companies in the business world, and you can use it too. Read More.
Finish your music projects, don’t wait for “perfect”
Whatever you’re setting out to accomplish, the best thing you can do for your career is finish your music projects and bring your ideas through to completion. Read More.