![How to Write a Song That is Marketable [UPDATED FOR 2019] @OuterloopGroup](https://i.ytimg.com/vi/PAEbvZxD-CI/maxresdefault.jpg)
Uploaded May 2019 | Updated September 2026, 1 hour ago
It only takes one song to make an entire career - this is what you might be missing in your songwriting process that will help you reach your goals.
Subscribe, Like, and Comment Below! Sorry for the audio and video issues this week!
You KNOW How to Write a Song That is Marketable - and Noone Else Knows It Like You Do
Too many people fail by trying hard to make music like someone else. Make YOUR music and then put in the hard work to find the audience who will love YOU.
I love tablature. I love the idea I can just play the right notes at the right times and, with a little bit of technological help, I can sound JUST LIKE the musicians I admire. It's a game-changer.
But it isn't a career maker. At least not unless you want to make your living playing weddings and corporate events. THAT'S FINE. But it's probably not your dream.
If your dream is to be admired for making original music, why not BE ORIGINAL?
There are billions of people on this planet. And you only need to be the favorite of a few of them to make a career in music. Your pursuit, as a professional musician, is finding enough people to fund your art and lifestyle. That could be one wealthy person putting you on her payroll. Or it could be a million people streaming your songs often enough to cover your bills.
Often, musicians and songwriters are asked to compromise their music in the interest of finding a larger audience. But you may just need a BETTER audience.
Put the work into finding your audience, wherever they are, or in compromising your art
Knowing how to write a song that sounds just like other songs popular in your local market is a valuable skill. It could be your ticket to success. But not compromising your songwriting for the "popular" market doesn't mean you will always need to be poor, or always have a "real" job. It just means you have to work harder to find the audience that will support you and your unique voice.
The music business is filled with talented, original musicians with cult followings. And some of music's greatest culture icons are songwriters shunned by the popular market but accepted only after surviving for years on the support of that cult following.
Trust your gut. You'll know when you're compromising too much.
But put the work into finding your audience. Make yourself available as often as possible for them to find you. Take all the media opportunities and performance opportunities you can. And then be unequivocably, uncompromisingly you.
It only takes one song to make an entire career - this is what you might be missing in your songwriting process that will help you reach your goals.
Subscribe, Like, and Comment Below! Sorry for the audio and video issues this week!
You KNOW How to Write a Song That is Marketable - and Noone Else Knows It Like You Do
Too many people fail by trying hard to make music like someone else. Make YOUR music and then put in the hard work to find the audience who will love YOU.
I love tablature. I love the idea I can just play the right notes at the right times and, with a little bit of technological help, I can sound JUST LIKE the musicians I admire. It's a game-changer.
But it isn't a career maker. At least not unless you want to make your living playing weddings and corporate events. THAT'S FINE. But it's probably not your dream.
If your dream is to be admired for making original music, why not BE ORIGINAL?
There are billions of people on this planet. And you only need to be the favorite of a few of them to make a career in music. Your pursuit, as a professional musician, is finding enough people to fund your art and lifestyle. That could be one wealthy person putting you on her payroll. Or it could be a million people streaming your songs often enough to cover your bills.
Often, musicians and songwriters are asked to compromise their music in the interest of finding a larger audience. But you may just need a BETTER audience.
Put the work into finding your audience, wherever they are, or in compromising your art
Knowing how to write a song that sounds just like other songs popular in your local market is a valuable skill. It could be your ticket to success. But not compromising your songwriting for the "popular" market doesn't mean you will always need to be poor, or always have a "real" job. It just means you have to work harder to find the audience that will support you and your unique voice.
The music business is filled with talented, original musicians with cult followings. And some of music's greatest culture icons are songwriters shunned by the popular market but accepted only after surviving for years on the support of that cult following.
Trust your gut. You'll know when you're compromising too much.
But put the work into finding your audience. Make yourself available as often as possible for them to find you. Take all the media opportunities and performance opportunities you can. And then be unequivocably, uncompromisingly you.
![How to Write a Song That is Marketable [UPDATED FOR 2019]](https://i.ytimg.com/vi/PAEbvZxD-CI/mqdefault.jpg "How to Write a Song That is Marketable [UPDATED FOR 2019]
It only takes one song to make an entire career - this is what you might be missing in your songwriting process that will help you reach your goals.
Subscribe, Like, and Comment Below! Sorry for the audio and video issues this week!
You KNOW How to Write a Song That is Marketable - and Noone Else Knows It Like You Do
Too many people fail by trying hard to make music like someone else. Make YOUR music and then put in the hard work to find the audience who will love YOU.
I love tablature. I love the idea I can just play the right notes at the right times and, with a little bit of technological help, I can sound JUST LIKE the musicians I admire. Its a game-changer.
But it isnt a career maker. At least not unless you want to make your living playing weddings and corporate events. THATS FINE. But its probably not your dream.
If your dream is to be admired for making original music, why not BE ORIGINAL?
There are billions of people on this planet. And you only need to be the favorite of a few of them to make a career in music. Your pursuit, as a professional musician, is finding enough people to fund your art and lifestyle. That could be one wealthy person putting you on her payroll. Or it could be a million people streaming your songs often enough to cover your bills.
Often, musicians and songwriters are asked to compromise their music in the interest of finding a larger audience. But you may just need a BETTER audience.
Put the work into finding your audience, wherever they are, or in compromising your art
Knowing how to write a song that sounds just like other songs popular in your local market is a valuable skill. It could be your ticket to success. But not compromising your songwriting for the popular market doesnt mean you will always need to be poor, or always have a real job. It just means you have to work harder to find the audience that will support you and your unique voice.
The music business is filled with talented, original musicians with cult followings. And some of musics greatest culture icons are songwriters shunned by the popular market but accepted only after surviving for years on the support of that cult following.
Trust your gut. Youll know when youre compromising too much.
But put the work into finding your audience. Make yourself available as often as possible for them to find you. Take all the media opportunities and performance opportunities you can. And then be unequivocably, uncompromisingly you.")
![How to Get Signed to an Independent Record Label [UPDATED FOR 2019]](https://i.ytimg.com/vi/TJz8WSN_MI0/mqdefault.jpg "How to Get Signed to an Independent Record Label [UPDATED FOR 2019]
You CAN sign to a record label, but you need to know what the modern music industry is looking for. We tell you exactly what they want to see in this video.
Visit http://www.outerloopcoaching.com to download the Music Management Primer for free today!
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In this weeks video I discuss four ways how to get signed to a record label - GUARANTEED. They work every time. With every developing artist Outerloop Management and Outerloop Records signs, the goal is to accomplish ALL of these. The challenge is actually DOING them. But theres no magic. You can do them too. You just need to know what these are, set your sights, and execute. So, watch the video to find out what they are!
What does getting signed to a record label mean?
A record label has one function - releasing music to the public to sell or stream. If your response is well, I can do that myself! you are absolutely right. The value of a record labels offer to you as an artist is what they will do beyond this function.
The independent record label team
Some independent record labels are one-person ventures. Others can have a robust staff of full-time employees. All record labels have a team, internal or contracted, who need to work selling your album or EP. Beware any solo project independent labels who wont or cant tell you who the team of people will be working your release. Sometimes starting a record label sounds like a cool way to introduce oneself at a party. But a record label is expensive and time-consuming in the trenches. If a record label cant do more than you can do for yourself, they arent worth signing to unless under extremely particular and rare circumstances.
The record label team will include talented people who may share many responsibilities between them. A record label should:
organize and produce the release assets (with artist input)
release your digital album to all streaming sites
manufacture physical copies of your album
release your physical album to distributors / stores
seek opportunities for visibility on streaming / in physical outlets
organize your release rollout schedule for maximum sales and streams / momentum
promote your album to media
promote your album to radio
seek opportunities to monetize your album recordings (ie sync opportunities in tv/film/video games)
seek opportunities for touring (but this is generally NOT their responsibility)
Much more!
The music industry validation
There is a value to being a signed recording artist. But this value is both fleeting and varying. It is fleeting because, while you will be able to leverage your newly-minted status to get booking agents, managers, media, and other industry to return emails and consider you for opportunities, the opportunities will degrade over time. Being signed for a few years having little to nothing to show for it will soon be as much, or bigger, a turn-off as an artist without a record deal.
The value also varies. Strong streaming and social media numbers can be stand-ins for record deal validation. And not every record label is the same. Some will open nearly every door you knock on. Others are unknown to the industry and will be looked upon skeptically.
The leveraging of pre-existing relationships
Every record label has pre-existing relationships with other members of the music industry they can leverage to your advantage. Media, booking and touring, streaming sites, merchandising - there is an infinite number of possibilities a record label can bring you and your band. Make sure to ask about some of these relationships while still in the consideration phase. Being connected positively with a single person who can provide your band the right opportunity can be enough to make your entire career. Of course, you could also make those connections yourself.
Conversely, some independent record labels have pre-existing relationships that are toxic and will taint you and your band by association. Be sure you research every record label you consider signing with to find out any instances of political or social ideas you dont wish to be associated with. And ask around people in the industry you know to find out if there are significant rivalries or hostilities that could negatively impact your career. Most long-lasting record labels have few to none of these toxic issues. But its also hard to be in any business for a long time without upsetting someone along the way. Do your research.
See you next week!")
