How to Become a Lyricist?

As a freelance lyricist, you work independently, offering your services on a contract basis to various musicians, bands, or music production houses. This role provides flexibility, allowing you to collaborate on a variety of projects across genres. While the job can be unpredictable, it offers creative freedom and the opportunity to work with different artists and producers.

Staff writers are typically hired by record labels or music production companies. In this role, you’ll work full-time (or part-time) under a contract to write lyrics for specific artists or albums. As a staff writer, you’ll have a steady stream of work, but the job requires you to meet deadlines and adhere to the style or genre specified by the label or artist.

A film songwriter writes lyrics for movies, TV shows, or documentaries. These lyrics are an integral part of soundtracks, setting the tone or enhancing a scene. This role requires not only lyrical talent but also an understanding of how music and lyrics complement the visuals. If you're passionate about film and storytelling, and curious about how to be a songwriter lyricist, this could be an exciting opportunity to showcase your work.

Jingle writers create catchy, memorable lyrics for advertisements, commercials, and branding campaigns. This role is all about crafting short and snappy lyrics that stay in people’s minds and deliver the brand’s message effectively. Jingle writing is a specialized area that requires you to adapt your writing style to fit the brand and the message within a very limited time frame.

As a songwriting coach, you teach aspiring lyricists and songwriters the craft of lyric writing. You’ll help them develop their writing skills, understand songwriting structures, and find their creative voices. This job often involves mentoring individuals or running workshops and classes. If you have years of experience and a passion for teaching, this role allows you to give back to the next generation of lyricists.