CREATIVE ESSENTIALS
First and foremost, you are a lover of words. And as a lyricist, whether you view yourself as an emerging or an established songwriter it is essential that you set up a monetary self-investment budget. A fluid budget that provides tangible benefits - an emergency short/long term financial cushion for your personal well-being. Always Pay yourself 1st whether it's as a professional musician who writes lyrics, hooks or an entire composition. If your goal is to become a famous songwriting artist, you need to become proactive and plan today as if you will eventually be successful and recognized as a creative professional artist. Listed below are resources that could be beneficial in achieving those goals:
3) https://poets.org/academy-american-poets
4) Join a free legitimate PRO
5) **Become familiar with Songwriting Jargon:
PRO
Performing Rights Organizations. American PRO are ASCAP, BMI, SESAC and Global Music Rights (GMR). These organizations represent songwriters. Some are for profit and some are not for profit. Some have open membership and some do not. You cannot be a member of ASCAP and BMI. You must select one or the other. ASCAP and BMI are both not-for-profit organizations.
BMI
Broadcast Music, Inc. Also known by the an acronym (BMI) represents copyright owners. It is a not for profit organization and has an open membership.
Contact info: https://www.bmi.com
ASCAP
American Society of Composers, Authors and Publishers also known as (ASCAP). This professional organization is an open enrollment, not for profit owned and run by its songwriter and publisher members. It has an elected board chosen from its membership.
Contact info: https://www.ascap.com
Global Music Rights (GMR)
Is a for profit performing rights organization which represents songwriters. Membership is by invitation only.
SESAC
was originally known as - the Society of European Stage Authors and Composers, but evolved to become more inclusive to also include American artist.
It is another for profit performing rights organization that represents songwriters. Membership is by invitation only.
(a) The best practice is to become proactive and avert major financial and legal mistakes. Stay informed and current regarding your creative works. Beginning today, make an annual commitment to handling and/or checking up on your business: to copyright your lyrics, license your music and collect your royalties.
(b) If you create in multiple genres, form mutual alliances related to each specific genre. Contact regional, state and/or online groups for advice, support, networking and mentorship opportunities such as:
LAC (Lawyers for the Creative Arts)
www.LAW-ARTS.org (312)649-4111
https://printersrowlitfest.org
(CWA) https://www.chicagowrites.org
all of which have free and/or professional plan memberships.
*** REVISIT subscription usage every 8- 10 months. Cancelling unused auto renewal payment subscriptions = $$$ in your bank account.
c) Get in where you easily fit in! Some savvy lyricist also collect royalty fees from their Session Musicians gigs.
Be faithful to your artistic discipline. Support local bokstores, indie events and genre specific venues that cater to your targeted audience.
Favorite USA bookstores for my transformative prosperity primer: African-American Guide to Prosperity
https://www.fultonstreet918.com/
https://bookshop.org/shop/turningpagebookshop https://malikbooks.com/bookshop
https://www.unclebobbies.com/ https://www.kizzysbooksandmore.com/ http://www.detroitbookcity.com/
(d) Practice Giving back. Acknowledging supporters, benefactors, etc. emboldens creative community resources and is our best source of self empowerment.
Royalty Payments: How & Why
Rose Marie McCoy, Thomas A. Dorsey, Jester Joseph Hairston, Kenneth Morris, Eddie Williams, Clara Ward, Edwin Hawkins, Roberta Martin, Margret Douroux, Doris Akers, Inez Andrews, Richard Smallwood, Fanny Crosby, Dolly Parton, Carole King, Judy Collins, Little Richard, Elizabeth 'Libba' Cotten, Abe Meeropol, Ray Charles Robinson Sr., Carolyn Franklin, Smokey Robinson, James Brown, Loretta Lynn, Steve Allen, Sly Stone, Dodie Stevens, Robert Leroy Johnson, John Legend, Stevie Wonder, Sir Paul Mc Cartney, McKinley Morganfield, Katherine Davis, Curtis Lee Mayfield, Jerry Leiber & Mike Stroller, Eddie Holland, Brian Holland & Lamont Dozier and Prince are renown creative professionals associated with various musical genres who received royalty pay for their artist works. Once your lyrics are copyrighted and you license your music you too could be on the right road to get paid royalties as a songwriter too.
The biggest source of revenue as a songwriter is of course as a performer. Their performance royalty payments are distributed via the Intellectual Property Rights Distribution Fund aka AfmSagatrafund.org.
1st things 1st. - Learn the business end.
2nd. - Hone your craft .
3rd. - Find your niche and become an unique lyricist that writes your own song lyrics , lyrics for other singers or song for films and/or musicals.
Super star Country songwriter, Dolly Parton is credited with over 3,000+ songs. Legendary American hymnist Fanny Crosby is credited with over 8,000+ songs. Moreover, her compositions have been documented to also include lyricist works under at least an additional 250 pen names. At the date of this posting, prolific Gospel songwriter legend, Margaret Douroux is credited with over100 lyrics. My favorite, legendary cross- generational, multi-genre, songwriter, singer, Rosa Marie McCoy is credited with 800+ lyrical works. Her popular tunes have been recorded by more than 360 artist
Another of my all-time favorites cross-genre songwriter, Judy Collins is credited with 150+ lyrics. Know how to get paid for your creative works as a lyricist!!! ***
4th Copyright - When your lyrics are registered with the US Copyright office they can be used to prove and verify the date of creation. Date(s) of creation is considered substantiating evidence needed in matters related to copyright infringement.
5th. Research Writing Apps and artistic enhancements for writers
Become familiar with writing tools such as Grammarly, Hemingway, Readable, Scrivener, AI or Masterwriter.com and be cautious - 1st try them for FREE! * If the app rings true for your creative style and genre, then subscribe.
6th Stay in the know:
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