How to become A Lyricist

Call them wordsmiths or poets or Lyricists. They spin stories, weave emotions, and tie together human experiences in their artfully crafted lines of songs. Working in harmonious tandem with composers and artists, they create unique and recognisable pieces for various purposes, entertainment being predominant.

• Songwriter
• Lyric Writer
• Singer Lyricist

What do Lyricists do?

A Lyricist would typically need to:

• Creatively craft the words to songs for entertainment, artistic, or commercial purposes; work closely with musical composers who might use the lyrics
• Have sufficient understanding of the theory of music and basic instrumental skills; develop their creativity and active-listening skills
• Submit their work to composers, record companies, or performers who are in search of lyrics that would best suit the music they have composed
• Work with preexisting musical scores; directly collaborate with those in charge of a project; write lyrics to be set to music later
• Ensure that the content of their lyrics is original; adapt the text so that it suits the musical composition in the case of songs, musical plays, jingles, etc.
• Interpret the style, tone, and mood of a piece of music: collaborate with producers, publishers, composers, musicians, or arrangers to come up with a song that meets the commercial and artistic criteria
• Hold meetings with editors, clients, and publishers to discuss the details of the ongoing project; publish their work and obtain the copyright to maintain intellectual property rights
• Teach in writing classes and train apprentices

A Lyricist cannot lay claim to a standardised work environment. Most are freelancers who work from home. As their career picks up, some may prefer to rent out studio space or an office suite with a dedicated work area to help focus and demonstrate professionalism when meeting with existing or potential clients. Lyricists working in the record and publishing industries are likely to spend their evenings and weekends going out to hear music and network with people in the industry.

Freelance Lyricists set their hours, writing whenever inspiration strikes. While the bit about inspiration also remains valid for staff Lyricists, they may generally need to attend regular writing sessions during standard business hours.

While pure Lyricists write only the verbal components of a musical piece, some may choose to compose catchy songs for television or radio commercials. Finding a new job might seem challenging. Lyricists can boost their job search by asking their network for referrals, contacting companies directly, using job search platforms, going to job fairs, leveraging social media, and inquiring at staffing agencies.

Lyricists are generally employed by:

• The Film & Television Industries
• Advertising Agencies
• Bands
• Solo Performers
• Music Publishers
• Recording Studios
• Media Production Firms
• Operas
• Musical Theater Production Companies
• Educational Institutions
• Live Entertainment Venues

Professional associations and organisations like The Guild of International Songwriters & Composers are a crucial resource for Lyricists interested in pursuing professional development or connecting with like-minded professionals in their industry or occupation. These organisations advocate for their members and also collect their royalties. Membership in one or more adds value to your resume while bolstering your credentials and qualifications.

• A highly competitive field that is not easy to break into and get one’s work noticed
• The need to learn about techniques and rules beyond the scope of an average musician
• The common assumption that one should play the roles of both musician and poet
• The need to ensure that a song outlines and sticks to one clear point
• Keeping consistency in rhyme or meter
• Avoiding the usage of excessively descriptive phrases which may fail to engage the audience
• Decreasing revenue; a growing number of songwriters who compose their tune and put words to it; an overall decline in demand for expertly crafted lyrics

A helpful first step for upcoming Lyricists is to find instrumentalists to whom they can submit their lyrics to see how they can mesh together with a song. This way, not only would you get excellent practice but also foster connections with people who could help further your songwriting career. Writing jingles or lyrics for community musical productions is also valid training for more sophisticated opportunities. New Lyricists will have a head start in their careers if they are by nature optimistic and able to network, accept criticism, handle rejection, and persevere.

The main focus of a Lyricist's career is expectedly the words in a song, but being able to strum a few chords and intelligently discuss the musical progression with the composers you work with is a bonus.

Formal courses in music fundamentals and songwriting teach aspiring Lyricists to read sheet music, interpret musical beats, analyse music, and make the best use of musical technology. Workshops related to songwriting may cover information about word usage, musical poetry, commercial songwriting, and musical collaborations. Some courses cover strategies for successful musical performances. Students generally benefit from learning music from an early age. Taking private music lessons can give aspiring Lyricists a musical background and provides an understanding of lyrical structure.

While Lyricists typically write just the words of a song, the ability to write words and music to understand the relationship between the two is a valuable asset and qualification. The ability to play one or more instruments provides further insight into the relationship between music and lyrics and may enhance employability. Entrants to the field of lyrics writing, either as staff Lyricists or freelancers, should actively listen to the works of professionals to gain knowledge about music trends and identify their style and genre.

Several music-based degree programs offer courses that discuss business aspects of the music industry. Since Lyricists often work under contract or sell their pieces, they require some understanding of the music business. Potential topics in these courses may include copyright laws, music marketplace opportunities, techniques for handling rejection, and music publishing.

Certification demonstrates competence in a skill or set of skills, typically through work experience, training, the passage of an examination, or some combination of the three. Voluntary certification in professional songwriting from an objective and reputed organisation can help you gain professional credibility, validate your knowledge and increase your confidence at work.

Performance, experience, and acquisition of professional qualifications drive career progression. Advancement as a Lyricist can mean working with higher-earning and better-known artists. It can also mean penning a song that generates large amounts of royalties, leading to increased income and demand for the Lyricist’s songwriting skills.

The most employable and most in-demand Lyricists are those who have perfected the art of keeping a song simple and relatable. Lyricists with language skills, research skills, and the capacity to collaborate with other Lyricists, producers, publishers, musicians, and composers will have better job prospects.

Continuing professional development is the holistic commitment of Lyricists towards enhancing personal skills and proficiency throughout their active careers through work-based learning, a professional activity, formal education, or self-directed learning. There are a whole host of CPD courses, seminars, and workshops out there to help Lyricists in the field.

Membership in a professional organization offers many benefits, including educational seminars and networking opportunities with other industry professionals. Networking with others in the field can lead to more work opportunities and career advancement.

CPD allows individuals to upskill continually, regardless of their age, job, or level of knowledge. Musical training, earning a professional degree from an accredited organization, and building a client network will advance their chosen career.

Some Nuances of Song Lyrics and Poetry

Be creative in a way that you can pen your thoughts artistically. Meter, rhyme, imagery are often hallmarks of a song, making it a piece of poetry imbued with music. If you write poetry, it is quite likely that you can jot down lyrics as well. Just make sure to write often in one form or another, including keeping a journal.

However, be aware that you must be able to differentiate between a poem and the lyrics to a song; poetry may be considered as having more to do with the mind, while a song is considered to be from the heart and intimate, like a conversation. A poem may speak to its audience, but a song speaks with them, inspiring them to respond in many ways, the most natural being singing along.

Fine Tuning Your Capabilities

Submitting your initial work to instrumentalists, if possible, would help you see how it meshes with a song. It would also build a network to further your career. Musical theory classes and learning the basics of a common instrument such as the piano or guitar would come in handy to have knowledgeable discussions with the composers you work with. Also, educate yourself by listening to the classics - it will help you distinguish between the nuances and levels of quality, originality, and creativity.

The Importance of a Demo

Submitting a copyrighted demo with a maximum of three songs, your best and strongest, will increase the probability of someone paying attention to your work. Get the right singers to record them, and it does not have to be you if your voice is not suitable. Do not try to save on expenses by getting family or friends to pitch in if they are not suited to the task. You can join a local songwriting group or even initiate one so that each of you can help create each other’s demos, offering constructive criticism as well.

Contacting Publishers & Artists

Make sure you establish contact with a publisher or a film music supervisor or someone in their office before sending in a demo. Get a specific name to whom you can send your submission. Without permission to send it, it might be trashed for copyright reasons.

On the other hand, don’t hesitate to approach an artist you hear in a club or one you meet to ask if you could write for them as a trial or if they could review a piece of your work, even if the likelihood of refusal is high. Go ahead and use any connections to artists that family or friends may have. You never know what might work unless you try it out.

Balance is Key

Aspiring Lyricists should remember that balance is key as they push their careers upward and forward. You can neither sit around waiting for something to appear magically nor can you beat down a door that won’t open. In an industry with no guarantees, all you can be sure of is that there will be opportunities to pitch for - make sure you find the happy middle path that allows you to focus on the creative process.

People Skills

It is essential that a good Lyricist work well with other people. Often, the work of a lyricist is scrutinised and edited to come up with a finished product. Communication and people skills are a must if you will be working with other composers or writers.

Language and Genre

Language skills are essential, as is an awareness of your genre. It is advisable not to force the language if you do not have a good sense of it or the genre, be it rap, hip-hop, or country, if you are not immersed in it. Just dropping a “g” does not create a country lyric. Master Lyricists advise aspiring Lyricists to be prolific writers but be aware that it is harder to write a simple song that people can relate to than a long, rambling one, a song that starts to make its point right in its opening line.

Using a Formula Creatively

Aspiring Lyricists are advised not to shy away from working within a formula - the formula provides a framework within which you can place your original and brilliantly creative content. It is also important to collaborate with other talents and give credit where it’s due. And remember, it pays to be computer savvy so that you can look up the right word.

Finding Your Niche

Specialising in particular music genres or writing advertising jingles may enable a Lyricist to seek out regular employment. Or you may find your niche in writing lyrics for the film and television industries. Keep in mind, however, that while all specialties may not offer regular staff roles, professional lyricists typically land continuous contract work for different clients. Don’t shy away from self-promotion and industry networking to generate steady employment.

Fame Breeds Fame

The more excellent your reputation for writing catchy lyrics and delivering projects on time, the more the chances of your being hired for work, making it crucial for you to create and sustain reputable work, staying updated with industry trends and audience tastes.

A Penny and More for Your Words

Salaries can vary greatly depending on years of experience, employment location, and kind of employer. Lyricists may also be entitled to collect royalties for the public performance of their work, either through their publisher or through a licensing organisation. Performing rights payments are often split evenly between the music publisher and the author of the work.

Potential Pros & Cons of Freelancing vs Full-Time Employment

Being a freelance Lyricist offers freedom regarding flexible schedules, working hours, and location. They have full ownership of the business and can afford selectivity in terms of the variety of projects and clients presented. While it has unlimited earning potential, it also has less stability and security, with inconsistent work and cash flow. There is more responsibility, effort, and risk involved. There are no paid holidays, and sick/maternity/paternity leaves are almost unaffordable. There is the added pressure of a self-employment tax and no eligibility for unemployment benefits.

However, a full-time Lyricist has access to company-sponsored health benefits, insurance, and retirement plans. They have job security with a fixed, reliable source of income and guidance from their bosses. They are susceptible to potential boredom and inability to pursue passion projects due to their lack of time or effort. There is a lack of flexibility, ownership, and variety, and there is the need to budget extra money for commuting and attire costs.

When deciding between freelancing or being a full-time employee, consider the pros and cons to see what works best for you.

"Lyric" originates from Greek; a lyric was originally a song sung with a lyre. A lyric poem expresses a subjective, personal point of view.

Lyricists wield power and talent to create beloved outcomes that live long in the audience’s hearts and memories and may even pass from one generation to another. Little wonder then that they keenly observe life, pay attention to detail, and demonstrate a disciplined commitment to their creative work, all of which allows their observations to pour out in the language of song.

Do it because you love it. Grow stronger with each criticism to survive in the entertainment business. You never know if success will take a week, a decade, or more to knock at your door. You may need to create your own breaks if they don’t come your way. Remember, collaboration is the art of being better than you’re on your own; what you achieve together may top solo effort.