Songwriters can be found on social media, music directories, and online marketplaces. People who are looking for great songs to perform might find it difficult to find a good songwriter. Luckily, there are plenty of ways to locate the right person for your project. In this blog post, we will discuss how you can successfully search for a songwriter.
- Ask Your Friends and Family
- Musicians You Know
- Get a Warm Introduction
- Online Music Databases
- Songwriter’s Websites
- Music Publishers
- Music Supervisors
- Networking and Meetups
- Songwriter Circles
- Social Media
- Facebook Groups
- YouTube
- Craigslist
- Fiverr
- Upwork
Ask Your Network, Friends, and Family
One of the easiest things you can do when trying to find a songwriter is ask people who are already in your network. Ask family members, friends, or colleagues if they know songwriters they can introduce you to. Even people who are not musicians might know someone who is a songwriter.
Back when I lived in Arizona, I met the guitarist for a popular band when I started a new job. He had decided to retire from music because he had a family and didn’t want to be on the road all the time. At first, I was stunned to meet this guy because he was a local hero and I had heard this guy’s music on the radio.
We became friends, had a few jam sessions, and he gave me all kinds of advice. I have to admit, it became funny after a while seeing my friend’s music on Guitar Hero.
You may be surprised by who your friends and family know and how they can help you find a great songwriter. Just ask for an introduction and go from there. Your next music connection might be a simple post on Facebook away!
Musicians In Your Network
The music business is a “people business,” meaning that it is built upon relationships. Everybody knows everybody, or so it seems. Many songwriters can be found through your network of friends and colleagues, so the best way to find a great songwriter is by asking around.
The more people you know in this industry, the easier it will be for you to locate good writers with whom you could work together. Even if your network is very small, you should still tap into it.
Someone knows somebody who knows the songwriter you want to meet. People love to help other people because it makes them feel good, so just ask around!
Many artists already have established networks of songwriters that they work with. If you are already performing and have a following, reach out to other artists who you admire and ask them for referrals.
Unless they’re on the cover of Rolling Stone, many musicians are very accessible. Approach them with a friendly and professional attitude and you’ll be surprised who you can meet.
Ask for a Warm Introduction
If you know another musician or songwriter, ask them if they would be willing to make a warm introduction for you. This means that the person knows both of you and believes that there is something in it for everyone involved if this connection happens.
By getting an endorsement from someone who has done business with your target songwriter before, you are increasing the chances that the songwriter will at least listen to your music.
When asking for a warm introduction, make sure you are clear about what type of project you are working on and what kind of songs you are looking for. This way, the person can better assess if they know somebody who could be a good fit for you.
LinkedIn is a great resource for finding songwriters. You can search by location, skills, or other factors that are important to you.
Once you have found some potential songwriters on LinkedIn, reach out to them and see if they’re available to chat. Many people use LinkedIn as a networking tool, so don’t be surprised if the person you reach out to is not available for a project.
If you get a positive response, ask the songwriter if they’re interested in hearing more about your project. If they are, send them some of your music and see if there is potential for collaboration.
Some tips for LinkedIn
Make sure to update your profile so it reflects who you are and what you do in the music industry. Even if you have a “day job,” include your music projects and links to your work. Nobody knows who you are unless you tell them. Make sure to upload a photo so people know what you look like, and include references or endorsements if possible.
Online Music Databases
There are many online databases where you can find songwriters. These directories list songwriters by genre, style, or region. You can also search by name or keywords to find a specific person.
Once you have the songwriter’s name, you can search for them on Google. Many professional songwriters have their own websites and social media accounts. You can contact them on social media or just send them an email.
ASCAP & BMI Songview
ASCAP and BMI both have an online database called Songview that can be used to find songwriters.
If you know the name of a songwriter or artist, use ASCAP’s search function to see if they are registered with the agency. Go through the list one by one until you find your target person. You can also browse genres and filter results using keywords.
BMI’s Songview is very similar to ASCAP’s search function, but it also includes publishers and music supervisors. This can be helpful if you are looking for a songwriter who has already been published or if you need songs for a specific project.
Locate A Songwriter’s Website
Many songwriters have their own websites where they post information about their work, upcoming shows, and contact information, just search their name on Google.
Check out the website of the songwriter you are interested in working with. Look for a ‘Contact’ or ‘Booking’ tab on the website. This will give you the email address or phone number of the songwriter so you can get in touch with them.
If the songwriter doesn’t have a website, you can try looking them up on social media platforms like Instagram or Facebook. Look for their profile page and then look for the ‘Contact’ tab. This will give you the email address or phone number of the songwriter so you can get in touch with them.
Music Publishers
If you’re looking for a songwriter who is already published, your best bet is to contact a music publisher. Music publishers represent songwriters and help them get their songs placed in TV shows, movies, and commercials.
There are many music publishing companies out there, so it might take some time to find the right one. If you know what type of music the songwriter writes, check out publishers that specialize in that genre.
Music Supervisors
Music supervisors are also good contacts to have if you’re looking for a published songwriter. Music supervisors work with TV shows and movies who need songs for their programs or scenes. They have large networks and may be able to help you find the songwriter you’re looking for.
Once you have a few names of music publishers or music supervisors, reach out to them and explain what type of songs you’re looking for. Be specific about the style, genre, and mood of the songs you need.
Music publishers and music supervisors receive a lot of requests every day, so you’ll need to be persistent if they don’t respond right away. Keep following up with them until you find the person who can help you out.
Networking
The best way to find a songwriter is by networking with other musicians and people in the music industry. Go to shows, open mics, and other events where musicians will be hanging out. Talk to people and explain what you’re looking for. You never know who might be able to help you out!
Songwriter Circles
Songwriter circles are a great way to network with other songwriters and musicians. You can find these events at music venues or coffee shops in your area.
They usually consist of an open mic portion followed by some time for networking and meeting new people. This is a great opportunity to not only find someone who writes the type of songs you’re looking for, but also to get some feedback on your own music.
Songwriter Forums
There are many songwriter forums online where musicians can connect and share their work. The advantage of joining a forum is that you will be able to get feedback from other people who may have experience in the industry.
You can also post your request for help on these forums and see if anyone responds with helpful information or contacts.
Here are some songwriter forums you can check out:
- Muse Songwriters (https://www.musesongwriters.com/forums/index.php)
- Songstuff (https://forums.songstuff.com/)
- Nashville Songwriters (https://www.nashvillesongwriters.com/forum)
Social Media
Social media is a great way to connect with songwriters and other musicians. Platforms like Twitter and Instagram can be used to find people who are interested in working on music projects, as well as to stay up-to-date on what’s happening in the music industry.
Many songwriters use social media to promote their work, so you can get a good sense of their style and what they’re interested in by looking at their posts.
If you see a songwriter that you like, reach out to them on social media and see if they’re available for a chat. Send them a DM, be friendly and persistent, but not pushy. You never know who might be interested in working with you.
Facebook Groups
Facebook groups can be a great way to find songwriters. Participating in a group is a great way to build a relationship with a complete stranger who shares your interests. You can search by location, genre, or other factors that are important to you.
Besides songwriting groups, also search for groups related to music production, recording, and other aspects of the music industry.
Once you have found a group that looks like a good fit, join it and introduce yourself. Share your project goals and see if anyone is interested in collaborating. You might be surprised at how many people are looking for collaborators on Facebook.
You can also look for Facebook groups that are specific to songwriters in your area or industry. You might be able to connect with people who you wouldn’t have been able to reach otherwise, as well as find new opportunities through connections with other musicians.
Instagram is a great way to find songwriters and other musicians. You can search for specific hashtags that are related to the type of music you’re looking for.
For example, if you’re looking for country songs, use the hashtag #countrysongwriter. This will bring up posts from people who are looking for collaborators or who at least have an interest in songwriting.
Reddit is a great resource for finding songwriters. There are many subreddit groups that are dedicated to musicians.
Post helpful information and answer questions. Make sure to follow the rules of the group, Reddit users are famous for being overly critical if they catch you spamming or posting low-quality content.
Be aware that Reddit is an anonymous forum and users will not be able to tell who you are just from your username, so make sure to include a photo and show some personality in your posts.
Here are some subreddits you might want to check out:
/r/songwriting – this is a great place to connect with other songwriters, share resources and advice. You can also find out about events happening in your area.
/r/musicproduction/ – if you are looking for an experienced producer or engineer who might be interested in working on your project, this is the right subreddit for you.
/r/GarageBand -/ this is a good place to ask questions and find out about resources that can help you record your music.
YouTube Channels
Many songwriters, artists, and producers have YouTube channels where they talk about their experiences in the music industry. These can be a great way to find songwriters. There are many channels that focus on music and songwriting.
Watch the videos, subscribe to the channels, and leave comments. Be sure to reach out to the creators of the channel if you want to collaborate or just chat about music.
To find their contact information, go to the user’s channel page, then click the ‘About’ tab. Many YouTubers will list their contact information and possibly their email address for business inquiries.
Craigslist
Craigslist is not the first thing that comes to mind when you are looking for a songwriter, but it can be very useful if you know where to look.
Use keywords like ‘songwriters,’ ‘musicians,’ or even your city name plus the word ‘music’ because Craigslist has multiple sections dedicated to musicians and other members of the music industry.
Be careful when meeting someone from Craigslist for the first time, always meet in a public place and let someone know where you are going.
You can also post a ‘wanted’ ad on Craigslist, letting people know what you are looking for and what your project goals are. This can be a great way to find songwriters who are a good fit for your project.
Twitter can be a great way to connect with songwriters and other musicians. Use hashtags like #songwriter, #musicproducer, or #recordingengineer to find people who are interested in collaborating.
Follow the users who post interesting content and reach out to them.
Be sure to keep an eye out for events and meetups in your area. You can also find people who are interested in the same genre as you by using hashtags like #indiemusic, #countrymusic, or even genres within electronic music such as #trapmusic or #dubstep.
Fiverr
Fiverr is a website where people can offer their services for $5 or more. You can find songwriters, producers, and other musicians who are willing to work on your project for a very low price.
Be careful when choosing someone to work with on Fiverr. Make sure to read reviews and contact previous clients to get an idea of what the person is like to work with.
You can also find people on Fiverr who are willing to collaborate for free, but make sure you read reviews and contact previous clients before working together.
Upwork
Like Fiverr, Upwork is a website where people can offer their services in exchange for money.
You can find music producers and other musicians on Upwork who are willing to work with you. You will have to pay them when the project is complete but this might be well worth it if you need professional help with your songwriting process.
Final thoughts on how to find a songwriter…
As you can see, there are many ways to find a songwriter for your project. Hopefully, this blog post has given you some ideas on how to start or where to look next.
In addition to these resources, there are many other websites and social media platforms where you can find songwriters. The most important thing is to be patient, do your research, and reach out to the people who seem like a good fit for your project.
Always keep an open mind and be willing to reach out to people who you might not have considered before. You never know where you might find an amazing songwriter. Good luck with your songwriting journey!
