Who is getting paid for their songs?

[rockandroller]

Hello out there. I know there are many aspiring songwriters, musicians, bands, and just plain hobbyists who use this site, but how many of you out there are getting paid for your creative work? I.E. songwrinting, jingles, writing for commercials, soundtracks, TV shows etc. If you'll do exist I would love to correspond with you to get some pointers and ideas about how to break in, and exactly what is it you are doing. Thanks in advance for your responses, and if any of you would be kind enough to contact me directly that would be great!

[mikeh]

I do some local/regional jingle work, have composed music for a couple of local stage plays and for 2 independant film projects, have had songs placed in a few studio films (direct to video, no major theatrical releases....yet) and I just found out this week a song will be in a net work TV show ("My Name Is Earl").

I don't make enough to actually earn a living (music is a part time gig) but each year I make a little more than the year before. However, I commiit a lot of time and effort - if I'm not working my day job or sleeping (I rarely get more than 4 hours of sleep) I'm writing, recording or working on my chops. My goal is to retire early and have music provide part of my retirement income.

It is very hard to get your foot in the door and the competition is fierce. In my case I got a few breaks (no matter how much talent someone has, you still need a lot of luck). I was a working musican for many, many years and at one time did a lot of session work -so I established a network of contacts (recording studios, engineers, ad agency people, etc.). I sometimes get small jingle projects if some of my contacts are too busy or if the project is too small for them to commit to. I make a point of finding out who the local film people are and keep in contact with the local college (which has a "film school". In my case, I also found a publisher who focuses on source material for film and televison.

There are many books that provide a lot of good info, but at the end of the day it takes talent, hard work and the willingness to accept a lot of rejection (only a small percent of what I write actually generates any income and I get many rejections for every small success).

[Mindset]

I'm also getting paid to do what I do. Though I do it as my main job, and got a second job just to pull in money cause this industry like said, is a hard industry to get into. I'm currrently working as owner of my own label Mindset Entertainment, and putting together deals with other labels, as well as this year releasing 6 products. Other than that, I also pull in money producing & engineering other clients etc. I currently work/go to school at a full fledge studio, so I ended up networking with some known engineers & producers that have a lot of connections within' the music industry, and they gradually bringing me deeper into this, along with my own steps to take me there. Networking, is one of the main key's, that and experience, and being just yourself. In this industry, everything goes, but only a few are selected.

[mikeh]

Mindset has a point about "be yourself" (assuming being yourself doesn't result in being a jerk). I have gotten much more work being an honest, dependable and easy to get a long with person than my talent would perhaps justify.

There are many people in the music industry whose ego is much larger than thier talent and there are many who are so insecure in thier talent that they act much more cocky than they should. No one really likes working with people like that and in a professional business environment (marketing agencies, publishers, music supervisors, etc.) people are expected to conduct themselves in a professional, pleasant manner.

I know many ego driven musicians who can get away with attitude on stage but who fail in the more professional sides of the music industry.

[rockandroller]

Thanks for the replies and good advice. Nice to see people can take time out and really be helpful.

I hear the things you both mentioned, but I would like some specific advice on where to start. I am a little bit more of a hobbyist. I play in a band around town, and like to fashion myself as a decent songwriter and musician. Not session worthy, but proficient enough to lay down all the tracks needed to crat an interesting mix and presentation. I really would like, as the thread implies to find an avenue where my passion could be put to practical use. I have a small landscaping Co. which give decent income for 9 months while giving me three months idle time, or time I could be in my studio crafting something for commercial use.

I guess getting a book, it has been mentioned here a few times on where to make contacts would be a start. If anyone would like to correspond further or could be of further help, please let me know.

[mikeh]

The Songwriter's Market is a good book which lists, publisher's etc. what type of music they work with, if they accept unsolicited material, etc. As I previously indicated there are many books which suggest how to make contact, how to present your package (no more than 3 songs, cover lettter, name and contact numbers, etc)

[punkin]

Sold a few but didn't write them for that express purpose. For the life of me, I can't imagine trying to make a living at it. I like to eat on a regular basis. I dummed into a few song sales but couldn't even begin to wrap my head around the idea of writing a song with the express intent of being sold. When I come up with an idea, I just go with it. 99% of the time it's crap. I couldn't imagine the pressure to come up with something to meet a deadline or trying to meet someone else's expectation.

Hats off to the people that can do it.