NOTES OF ENCOURAGEMENT!
Encouraging Note Number One:
First, let’s talk money and hard times: A lot of people ask me why I don’t charge for membership (or better yet…why I didn’t follow through in collecting membership dues). Well, for songwriters, life is hard enough. Beginning songwriters are not rich anyway (at least the ones I have met), and what with the economy going crazy and the music industry in a stall-out after the pandemic, it just doesn’t make sense to expect songwriters to pay upfront for services they haven’t evaluated yet. God has provided for us in very unusual ways, and as long as our doors are open, we will continue to offer our membership free of charge. Some of the steps I am asking you to do, will cost you money, I know. But we are intentional about offering options that will produce almost the same results as a billionaire songwriter who is just starting out. There are things you can accomplish with just your phone…and for most of us, that is where we need to start…by “keeping it simple”. Sure you can throw a lot of money into art and advertising and promotional materials, but you don’t need to, at least right now. However, I would encourage you not to skip any of the steps outlined in our yearly calendar: you will find that they are key to your success as a songwriter. If you need to save up, or take on a small job to pay for these expenses, or barter with someone who has a service you can use, all the better. Every month you will be spending an average of roughly under $100 on personal expenses. This first month, it is the cost of a copyright ($45.) and the cost of a pro haircut. Every month will be about the same. I encourage you to take a determined positive attitude toward these expenses. And yes, ask Our Heavenly Father to bless you in your songwriting pursuits. He owns the cattle on 1000 hills. He can get you a haircut this month.
Encouraging Note Number Two:
Next, Let’s talk about technology: I would be wrong in assuming that every one of you is computer savvy and proficient in all things digital and electronic. The big secret is: no one is. Everyone has their own small gathering of technology, devices, gadgets and social media that suits their needs. Any everyone is waaaay different. Some people can be on social media all day, and not know how to send an email. Other people can’t send a message on their phone if their life depended on it, but they can operate complicated sound gear. And there are those that just leave it to their grandkids…only, the big secret there is that most teenagers know one or two systems, and the rest is like Greek to them too. They don’t necessarily know how to upload an mp3 onto a music site for you.
If you don’t know how to find the copyright office online, or if you don’t yet know how to upload your song into their system, or convert your song to an mp3, or even type up your lyric sheet, no worries: you are not alone! I can’t tell you how many songwriters have joined us that are not computer savvy. And some never will be. It’s not the end of the world. We can work out all these minor roadblocks. Contact us through the form below this paragraph, or call us at (564) 208-1971, and leave a message with a few details. It takes prayer and hard work to pull together an album and all its moving parts. Take heart. You are already doing something that is impossible for most people…songwriting. Songwriting isn’t rocket science, but for some people, it might as well be. Songwriting takes faith, courage, talent and determination. So you are one step ahead already, and anyone can help you navigate the internet and get your song into a file. Leave us a message at the office, and we will get back to you with some helps.
Let’s go!
Thank you for your response. ✨
From the workbook: Worship Songwriter Success; 36 Proven Steps to Releasing Your First Album This Year, by Alpha and Omega Christian Songwriters. Coming in summer 2024.
The Basics Christian Songwriter Assessment Tools, Supplies and Gear (Oh My!)
