Part Three 

This is the third of ten career success tips, I plan to impart for any interested listeners. Whether you are trying to decide if a music career is for you, just starting your music career, or a seasoned music professional, I think one or two of these tips will be of interest to you. There are a lot of people providing access to joints that help to build your skills, and most do a great job.  My goal here is not to try and compete with them. I will stay in my lane.  From time to time, however, I might suggest and recommend others.  I view these tips to be aimed at your mindset, and behaviors that will either make you or break you. So, whether you aspire to be a songwriter, an artist, a musician, and or producer, in my experience, these tips may apply:

Some Tips To Dip Into:

1. You got to put in the time.
2. You can only do two or three things very well, so focus.
3. Once you are focused, decide on what value you offer to others. (See details below)
4. Determine how you fit in.
5. Determine how you can market what you offer.
6. Develop a marketing strategy.
7. Provide quality service or products.
8. Follow up and communicate with your customers.
9. Always try to anticipate what your customers, followers, or clients need.
10. Keep trying, you can always make it better.

ONCE YOU ARE FOCUSED, DECIDE ON WHAT VALUE YOU OFFER TO OTHERS

In Tip/Chip 1, I briefly mentioned my music background and professional career experience. From 1975 to 2011, I juggled my academic and music skills, building upon both a psychology and music career. I say this for you to explain the way I performed Tip/Chip 2, because if you can do it, one supports the other. It might not be the quickest way of achievement, but it let me stay focused on the dream, while having a little fun along the way. I am still pursuing the dream and staying focused on being a successful songwriter, and improving my songwriting skills. I love to write songs, but I am still working on the other required music industry skills. So, music and songwriting is the second area of focus for me.

I have done and achieved a lot, but I am still not satisfied. I know it is hard to make it and be successful and I am sensitive to the emotional feelings elicited when you try and try, but don’t see any success at all. I have been there. Nothing worthwhile is achieved without a few bumps and bruises. About a year ago, I established MiJen Publishing to provide music, information resources, and added value for those trying, like me to achieve music success. Digital the technology allows great music production from home, and the industry is still changing. My third area of focus is now to create a sister company, MiJen Productions, LLC to meet recording, mixing, mastering, and other music needs. So stay tuned to their blogs, and visit MiJen Publishing and MiJen Productions for music services, lyrical and music content, and helpful music resources. Find your three areas to focus on, put in the time, and don’t discouraged. The next Tip/Chip I want you to digest is 4: Determine how you fit in. Stay tuned, and we will explore the topic from a specific perspective.

Deciding on the value you offer as a songwriter in the music industry involves identifying the unique strengths and qualities you bring to the table, which can differentiate you from others and make you a valuable collaborator. Here are 15 potential values you might offer as a music professional:

1. Originality: Offering fresh, unique perspectives in lyrics and melodies that stand out in the industry.
2. Versatility: Ability to write across various genres, adapting your style to meet the needs of different artists and projects.
3. Consistency: Delivering reliable, high-quality work on a consistent basis, which builds trust and dependability with collaborators.
4. Professionalism: Maintaining a professional demeanor in all interactions, respecting deadlines, and fulfilling commitments.
5. Emotional Depth: Crafting songs that resonate deeply with listeners, evoking strong emotions and creating memorable experiences.
6. Technical Skill: Demonstrating mastery of song structure, rhyme schemes, and melody construction.
7. Collaborative Spirit: Being able to work effectively with other musicians, producers, and industry professionals, contributing to a team environment.
8. Innovative Thinking: Bringing new ideas to the table that can transform a simple concept into a hit song.
9. Narrative Skill: Ability to tell compelling stories through lyrics, which can connect with audiences on a personal level.
10. Cultural Awareness: Writing lyrics that are culturally relevant and resonate with diverse groups of people.
11. Adaptability: Being able to adjust your writing process and content to align with evolving music trends and artist preferences.
12. Business Acumen: Understanding the business side of music, including rights, royalties, and marketing, to better position your work for success.
13. Mentorship: Offering guidance and support to emerging talents in the industry, helping to nurture the next generation of artists.
14. Inspirational Influence: Inspiring others through your work ethic, creativity, and passion for music.
15. Networking Skills: Building and maintaining strong relationships within the industry, which can open doors and create opportunities for collaborations.

In addition, here are 15 additional qualities and contributions that can further enrich your offerings as a songwriter in the music industry:

1. Lyric Adaptation: Ability to rewrite or adapt existing lyrics for different markets or languages, expanding the reach of a song.
2. Sound Innovation: Experimenting with and integrating new sounds and production techniques that can set trends in music.
3. Melodic Memorability: Crafting catchy and memorable melodies that have the potential to become timeless hits.
4. Emotional Intelligence: The capability to understand and express emotions effectively through music, helping artists connect with their audience.
5. Problem Solving: Skill in resolving creative differences and finding solutions that satisfy all parties involved in a project.
6. Marketing Insight: Providing insights on how to market songs effectively to reach target audiences, enhancing the commercial success of projects.
7. Cultural Adaptability: Writing music that not only respects but celebrates cultural differences, which can enhance global appeal.
8. Technology Savvy: Leveraging the latest music technology and software to enhance songwriting and production processes.
9. Artistic Integrity: Maintaining a strong personal and artistic identity in your work, which can help define and strengthen a brand.
10. Performance Skills: Possessing the ability to perform your work, which can aid in song promotion and personal branding.
11. Sensitivity to Current Events: Writing songs that reflect or comment on contemporary issues, giving voice to societal concerns and sentiments.
12. Sustainability Focus: Promoting and incorporating sustainability in your music production and distribution processes.
13. Community Engagement: Actively participating in community events and initiatives, which can build a loyal, local fanbase.
14. Work Ethic: A strong dedication to crafting and refining your work, often going above and beyond what is required.
15. Positive Attitude: Bringing a positive, uplifting spirit to every project, which can invigorate and inspire teams.

These additional qualities not only enhance your direct contributions as a songwriter but also reflect a holistic approach to your career and collaborations in the music industry. Whether you are a beginning songwriter or lyricist, focusing on these thirty suggestions set you on the path to being recognized as a professional and will help you better position yourself to be successful. The next Tip/Chip I want you to digest is 4: Determine how you fit in. Stay tuned, and will explore how the value you bring to the table, and the qualities and contributions you offer, impact your place and opportunities in today’s music industry.