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Get to know about the duties, responsibilities, qualifications, and skills requirements of a lyricist. Feel free to use our lyricist job description template to produce your own. We also provide you with information about the salary you can earn as a lyricist.

 

Who is a Lyricist?

Lyrics are an important part of music and song composition. In music, a song is a composition of voices that is performed by singing. Also, a song is a piece of music for accompanied voices or maybe unaccompanied. A song cannot be a song without lyrics and melody. Behind every song is a good lyricist who solely or collectively composes the lyrics. A lyricist is an individual who thinks of and writes lyrics (words for songs). A lyricist’s income derives from royalties received from original songs. Royalties may range from 50 percent of the song if it was written primarily with the composer or less if they wrote the song in collaboration.

A lyricist is a writer who works with composers in the music industry to create lyrical poetry to be used for songwriting. Lyricists work in a specialized niche of writing. If you have been thinking about becoming a lyricist, you will benefit from learning about trends in the industry. This article will focus on who a lyricist is, the job description of a lyricist, the major qualifications or requirements for a lyricist, and the essential skills for a lyricist. Subsequently, steps or tips on how to become a lyricist will be provided; the major employers of lyricists will be enumerated and discussed and the salary scale for a lyricist will be highlighted.

 

A lyricist uses his or her knowledge of music and creative writing skills to write lyrics. Unlike songwriters, a lyricist is not responsible for the instrumental sections, but they may collaborate with musicians. The lyricist is familiar and conversant with different genres of music and can write lyrics that connect with the audience. A good lyricist can produce words that efficiently agree with a certain type of music. Often, an excellent lyricist knows composition since the lyrics of several songs use the same emotional depth as poetry and structure. Similarly, most lyricists are creative writers; they craft the words to songs for entertainment, artistic, or commercial purposes. Sometimes, they work with pre-existing musical scores or write words that will later be set to music. While there are no mandated formal educational requirements for a lyricist, a bachelor’s degree in music theory or other related fields or subjects may be beneficial.

 

Additionally, a lyricist is categorized as an author who specializes in song lyrics. They write lyrics for singles, soundtracks, albums, or musicals. As a lyricist, you can work either full-time or on a freelance basis. Full-time lyricists work for a specific production company writing lyrics to songs that several artists can use for their music. In contrast, freelance lyricists pitch ideas for song lyrics to production companies, independent artists, and media agencies. Both freelance and full-time lyricists have a few core duties as part of their job including writing words to go with the melody. Although a lyricist is similar to a songwriter, differences exist between them. A songwriter often writes both the words and the music of a song, whereas a lyricist writes the words only. Musical advertisements, operas, and plays are other beneficiaries of the tact of a lyricist. Importantly, a lyricist especially freelancers can write for various projects for multiple clients; however, there is keen competition to find gigs and secure jobs and assignments in the industry. To easily find regular employment, a lyricist can choose a specialty subfield in a particular music genre or write advertising jingles. They may also specialize in writing solely for the film and television industries. Not all specialties have regular staff positions available but professional lyricists may still find continuous contract work for different clients. This career requires self-promotion and industry networking for steady growth.

 

Relatively, lyricists are often hired based on their notoriety and reputation; thus, establishing and maintaining reputable work by staying current with industry trends and paying close attention to audiences is crucial. Employers and clients seek writers or lyricists who finish projects on time and have proven their ability to consistently write catchy lyrics. A lyricist solicits new work and shows initiative in completing current projects as requested. Besides keeping to a schedule, a lyricist also needs to be flexible to change and act calmly in highly stressful situations. Some lyricists work nights and weekends in studios or remotely.

To be successful as a lyricist the individual should be able to work remotely and be adept at collaboration and meeting deadlines. Lyricists write every day and sit at a computer for a long time without getting uncomfortable or distracted. They stay organized and network with other professionals in the industry. Networking is an essential component for lyricists; it helps boost their client base and professionalism.

                                     

Lyricist Job Description

A lyricist must be knowledgeable about the different genres of music and the different song forms. He or she must listen closely to the hits of today and the past and determine what made them a hit. Lyricists make phrases in a song that tells a story, or emotions or provide good lessons. A song provides inspiration to the listeners, gives comfort, and portrays some of the realities of what is happening in our communities. Being part of a team that produces original songs is a common goal for people that are interested in music. Learning the job description of lyricists can help you decide if you want to pursue a job in the industry and provide you with guidance as you gain the skills, experience, and professional network you need to start your career. Thus, the common duties of a lyricist include;

• Write lyrics: A lyricist writes his or her songs during production sessions where they brainstorm ideas and create rhymes for multiple songs. They may plan lyrics based on the tune of background music or provide an artist with a general plan for the chorus, bridge, and verses which they then adjust as needed to match the final composition. Some lyricists include a narrative in their songs while others rely on imagery, metaphors, and other literary devices for most of the content in their songs.
• Study song briefs: When an artist or production company hires a lyricist, they may ask for original ideas or submit a request for specific types of content. After receiving a request, the lyricist reviews the information in the song brief such as the genre, artist inspiration, audience, and any other details about the melody, beat, or composition. They ask questions to ensure they understand what kinds of songs the client wants and take notes to guide the songwriting process.
• Complete revisions: After a lyricist submits a song, their client may request edits or revisions. Some artists may even ask for a revision from a lyricist’s original song to better match their public image and artistic style. Revising lyrics requires reviewing feedback, rewriting specific sections during a session, and adjusting the whole song to incorporate new lyrics. Edits can be basic vocabulary changes or significant alterations to the entire direction of the song.
• Understand song specifications and the audience and genre you are writing lyrics for.
• Listen to proposed melodies to determine the style, tone, and mood of the song before writing.
• Collaborate with composers, singers, musicians, artists, and other professionals.
• Write lyrics for acapella singing.
• Positively receive client feedback and make required adjustments.
• Ensure all work submitted is 100% original and obtain copyrights for them.
• Constantly expand your skillset by experimenting with music genres and poetry and attend workshops, lectures, and other ongoing education initiatives.
• Attend festivals and events where you can network with other artists and writers.
• Train, advise, and mentor junior lyricists.

 

Qualifications and Requirements

The major qualifications for a lyricist include;

• Musical training: Although lyricists do not normally compose music, they must understand music to write the words that will fit each piece. Individuals can take formal courses in music fundamentals and songwriting where they are trained to read sheet music, interpret musical beats, analyze music, and utilize musical technology. Some courses cover strategies for successful musical performances. Workshops that focus on blending music and words are also available. Workshops related to songwriting may cover information about word usage, musical poetry, commercial songwriting, and musical collaborations.
• Experience and network: Degrees are not always enough to find employment in the music and writing industries. Employers often want applicants who have experience working with other well-known composers, songwriters, and lyricists. As a way to network with industry professionals and build experience, individuals may consider completing internships while still in school or post-graduation. Potential places for internships include theaters, music industry firms, advertising and publishing agencies, or broadcasting studios. Another way to gain experience and network is by writing lyrics for local musicians. Some musicians may be willing to collaborate with lyricists on projects especially newer musicians who need to acquire more songs.
• Professional organizations: Membership in a professional organization for lyricists such as the Society of Composers and Lyricists offers many benefits including educational seminars and opportunities to network with other professionals in the industry. Employers and hiring managers tend to favor candidates with professional membership.
• Relevant education: There is no required degree for lyricists; if you can distinguish traditional poetry from good lyrics, you are on your way to honing the language skills you need to be hired. However, if you are considering completing an education, a fine arts degree in writing or poetry will help you develop the skills necessary to be a strong lyricist. You may also need a music degree if you want to create lyrics and melodies.

 

Essential Skills and Expertise

You need a strong knowledge of poetics such as rhyme, meter, wordplay, metaphor, and imagery as well as musical intuition about verses, choruses, refrains, and codas to work as a lyricist. Transforming this knowledge into lyrics requires originality, vision, creativity, critical thinking, dedication, and self-confidence. To get your songs noticed, you also need to be business savvy, well-organized, communicative, and trustworthy. Clients and employers often decide to work with lyricists depending on the quality of their portfolio and their ability to demonstrate songwriting skills. Therefore, a lyricist should develop the following skills to be successful in the profession;

Artistic ability and organization: Lyricists are writers and musicians; they should be skilled in the craft. Similarly, organizational skill is key for anyone who has to self-manage. Staying organized during the songwriting process allows you to meet deadlines and submit assignments to the correct clients.

Ability to follow instructions and be open to feedback: Musicians will likely describe the kind of song they must create; a lyricist should be able to follow it to the end. Also, changes may occur sometimes and work needs to be edited. Lyricists should respond positively to feedback and make changes where necessary.

Creativity and teamwork: A lyricist has to be creative when thinking of an artistic way to present an idea in the form of a song. They use creativity to adapt their songwriting skills to a specific musician’s style and develop unique verses. Relatively, the songwriting process requires skillful collaboration and teamwork. Being able to brainstorm with colleagues can increase your chances of being successful as a lyricist.

Research and motivation: Being original and upholding artistic integrity is important for musicians and having research skills can help ensure that your lyrics are unique. The music industry is highly competitive, so staying motivated and dedicated to your career is essential for anyone who wants to be a lyricist.

                                    

 

How to Become a Lyricist

Working as a lyricist requires a combination of talent and professional experience. Here is a basic guide to use when planning a career as a lyricist;

• Gain a musical education: There is no required degree to become a lyricist because spending time developing your musical talent is the most important element to success as a lyricist, but learning about the fundamentals of music theory can help you develop your skill. Taking college courses or earning a degree in music, fine arts, or creative writing can allow you to learn how to write and compose music including lyrics. Select courses that emphasize poetry and songwriting to develop knowledge of sentence structure, rhyme, and flow that can be used in your career.
• Write songs and create a portfolio: Next, you will need to write; lyricists write lyrics, so anyone who wants to excel in the position should have a lot of lyrics to show for it. That means making time to write the lyrics to songs and storing them in a portfolio.
• Collaborate with independent artists: Before you find paid work as a professional lyricist, look for independent musicians who may want to collaborate with you. Seek out singers whose style you enjoy and ask them if they are interested in using your lyrics on an album or covering one of your songs in exchange for a writing credit. This is an opportunity to build your professional network and show potential employers that you have a history of writing lyrics that actual artists want to use in their songs.
• Practice with different styles: Explore writing lyrics for multiple genres and styles to make yourself an appealing candidate to more clients and music publishers. Try writing songs in the style of various artists who inspire you to see how you can approach the same subject from different perspectives. As you explore different styles, you may also find a niche that you enjoy.
• Grow your network: The music industry is highly competitive and a great way to become a part of it is to know people that can help you boost your career. Luckily, even if you do not live in a city known for music production, business social networking sites make it easy to connect with people who have the same interests you do. Growing your network before advancing in music might make a key difference in your career.
• Look for freelance opportunities to sell lyrics: With lyrics put together and ready to go, it is time to start looking for opportunities to sell. You can use websites that connect freelancers to sellers. These websites allow a freelancer to bid on jobs for a small finder’s fee. You can search your local and online classifieds to find freelance opportunities. If you work within a certain niche, search for keywords related to the types of songs you write.
• Search and apply for lyricist jobs: Look for full-time jobs at music production or theater companies that involve writing lyrics. You can look directly for a lyricist role or search for an entry-level position at a production company, then seek internal growth within the business. Prepare your resume and a physical portfolio that features songs with some of your most impressive writing techniques.

 

 

Where can a Lyricist Work?

Lyricists can work in a freelance or full-time capacity. Freelance lyricists pitch song lyrics to production companies and media agencies. If someone is hired to be a full-time lyricist, they work for a specific production company writing lyrics to songs that can be used by several artists. Arguably, the fastest way to start working as a lyricist is to freelance because finding a full-time job in the profession is rarer than gig work. Luckily, several websites and platforms exist to connect users to gigs. Using the internet is also crucial to finding full-time roles in the industry.

Therefore, a lyricist can find permanent positions or roles with advertising companies, music promoters, and theater companies. Other employers of a lyricist include the film and television industry; a lyricist can also find work in a music studio. Relatively, a lyricist can be hired by an artist or musician or a musical group to write lyrics for them. The work environment of a lyricist depends on where they work and their exact position. Some lyricists have a highly collaborative workplace where they write songs in the studio alongside musicians. Others work from the privacy of their homes and remotely send lyrics to clients and wait for feedback.

 

Lyricist Salary Scale

The average annual salary for a lyricist is approximately $64,148. Generally, lyricists’ salary ranges from $29,239 to $114,530. In the United States, the average hourly pay for lyricists is around $12.32. Wages typically start from $9.45 an hour and go up to $26.32 an hour.

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