Most songwriters know how to write. Most of us are just trying to improve our craft so we can start making decent money, or any money, at what we love to do. Since even hits are often only a fluke, and don't pay that much, there is a lot more money in being a working songwriter. Often the only real difference between the award-winners and us is the fact that everyone sees them and doesn't know who we are. Here are a few ideas to get your music out so that you can start becoming the household name you hope to be.
GET SOME EXPOSURE
Find every excuse you can to get your songs heard. Get an Internet site with sound so people can download your music or at least listen to samples, and have a personal site with easy to use links to that audio site, because the addy is usually too long to be practical. Make a site for yourself with a bio on it. Get some business cards and bios you can hand out-most of us can do this on our home computer with just a couple hours of work, and you can print cards on file folders ripped in half if you can't afford better cardstock, or just run the artwork off at the local copy shop and use their cutting boards to slice them up. Hang out in places where musicians hang out-go to studios just to tour them, go to open mics, smile at everyone and say hello if you can. Exchange cards at least, and you can hang out in the lobbies of hotels where a music convention is being held if you can't afford to attend and just schmooze. Sometimes it isn't how much money you spend; it's the people you meet.
ACT LIKE A STAR
I've had several people tell me I'm too nice to be a musician-I need to get an ego. Gee-I don't think they've met too many musicians, because many are far shyer than I am. Sometimes, though, it doesn't hurt to seem mysterious, or swagger, or be the person you see yourself as being. No, this doesn't mean that you go to your day job dressed in rhinestone Elvis pantsuits, but it wouldn't hurt to wear your idea of what would work. I am a rocker, so blue jeans, a nice shirt and tennies or boots would work in most situations, and I suddenly look the part, at least. Add some serious self-confidence, and the package is complete. If you don't know how to act confident, try taking at least some acting classes or even Toastmasters, and you will be amazed how quickly your confidence will skyrocket once you can walk up to people and make small talk without feeling phony. Actually, you may find yourself in my dilemma, and people come to you before you can get around to coming to them-people are drawn to people who act like they are comfortable in their own skin. Looks have absolutely nothing to do with stardom-there are gobs of successes that have their looks poked at, but they can deliver the goods, and that is the important part.
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