Becoming a freelance composer is a rewarding but challenging undertaking. It requires technical know-how, business savvy, inventiveness, and a thorough comprehension of the music business. Whether you’re interested in writing music for movies, video games, ads, or symphonic pieces, it takes more than just skill to be a successful freelancer. It requires networking, a proactive approach, and solid self-marketing skills.
This is a detailed guide to help you start and develop a freelance writing career:
1. Develop your skills and hone your craft.
Improving your compositional abilities is essential before you begin working as a freelance composer. Your technical proficiency is crucial, regardless of your training in cinema score, contemporary music, or classical composition. Here’s how to improve your abilities:
Formal Education: To learn composition, orchestration, and music theory, many accomplished composers enroll in music institutions or colleges. Even while a degree isn’t always required, formal training can offer credibility and priceless expertise.
- Self-Study and Practice: Self-learning via books, online courses, and other resources can be quite beneficial, even if you lack official training. To hone your abilities, discover new genres, and try out different writing styles, regular practice is essential.
Software Proficiency – Learn how to use music production software, such Logic Pro X, Finale, or Avid’s Sibelius. For the creation, arrangement, and production of music, these instruments are necessary. You will stand out in the cutthroat world of freelance composition if you know how to use digital audio workstations (DAWs) and virtual instruments.
2. Create a Portfolio
A solid portfolio is essential for drawing in customers and demonstrating your adaptability. A portfolio shows off your versatility across several musical genres and styles in addition to showcasing your best work.
- Create Diverse Samples: Depending on your inclinations, make sure your portfolio includes a variety of compositions in symphonic, electronic, jazz, and other genres. Demonstrating your composition skills for a variety of media, including video games, TV, movies, and advertisements, is crucial.
- Internet Presence: Create a website showcasing your works and compositions. Add videos, sound snippets, a biography, and a contact form. Visibility can also be increased by hosting your portfolio on websites such as SoundCloud, Bandcamp, or YouTube.
- Work Together on Projects: If you’re just getting started, think about working with content producers, game developers, or filmmakers. These partnerships can boost your visibility and earn you professional credits.
3. Expand Your Connections
Your ability to succeed as a freelance composer is primarily dependent on your industry connections and network. Developing connections with people in the entertainment and music sectors is essential to getting gigs and maintaining a lengthy career.
Attend industry events such as film festivals, music conferences, composer seminars, and networking gatherings. These gatherings are excellent opportunities to network with possible customers, partners, and mentors. Seek out chances to go to events like Film Music Conferences, ASCAP Expo, or SXSW.
Utilize social media sites such as LinkedIn, Twitter, Instagram, and Facebook to interact with other composers, musicians, filmmakers, and content creators. Participate in debates pertinent to your profession and share your work on a regular basis.
- Connect with Music Libraries: A lot of composers begin their careers by submitting their work to licensing platforms or music libraries. You can sell your compositions to customers who require music for movies, TV series, ads, and other projects through these libraries.
4. Promote Yourself and Get Customers
A critical part of working as a freelance composer is properly marketing yourself. You won’t have any projects to work on if you don’t have clients. Here are some strategies for locating customers and landing a job:
Make a pitch to production companies and agencies: Speak with game developers, film production companies, or music agencies directly. Make sure your proposals emphasize your experience and strong points. Before contacting them, research the business and personalize each letter.
- Freelance Platforms: Popular platforms for independent composers include Upwork, Fiverr, Freelancer, and PeoplePerHour. You can apply for jobs and provide your services. Despite the intense competition, it’s a good area to begin developing your name and experience.
- Provide Custom Music: Provide original music for a range of projects, including video games, podcasts, short films, and advertisements. Building a network of independent artists can help you get a consistent job.
5. Determine Your Prices and Run Your Company
Long-term success depends on effectively managing your freelance business and setting fair prices for your services. Being organized is crucial since, as a freelancer, you will be in charge of everything from funds to legal contracts.
Understand Your Worth: To find competitive pricing, research industry norms for composers. Offering cheaper rates at first could be necessary to develop your portfolio, but as you get more expertise and build a name, you can progressively raise your fees.
Always have a written contract with your clients that clearly outlines the conditions of payment, timeframes, the extent of the work, and the music rights. This helps prevent misunderstandings and safeguards both you and your client.
- Financial Management: You are in charge of your insurance, taxes, and other financial affairs as a freelancer. Utilize accounting software such as QuickBooks or FreshBooks to monitor bills, payments, and spending. As your company expands, think about bringing on an accountant to assist with financial management.
6. Remain Current with Market Trends
The music business is changing quickly, especially in industries like video games and movies. Keeping up with trends and new technologies is crucial for freelance composers to remain competitive.
To stay informed, subscribe to blogs, podcasts, and periodicals related to the music industry. To find out about the newest trends and prospects, follow influential composers and influencers in your field.
- Adjust to New Technologies: Stay abreast of modifications to writing styles and software. Knowing how to write interactive or adaptive music could give you an advantage over other composers as the need for music in video games and virtual reality (VR) increases.
7. Keep Your Work Ethic Strong
Resilience and self-control are necessary for freelance writing. In the workplace, there may be times of plenty and times of famine, and a strong work ethic can determine whether you succeed or fail.
The goal should always be to meet or surpass deadlines. A composer will establish a solid reputation if they are dependable and produce excellent work on schedule.
Continue Learning: Work on honing your craft even after you’ve established your job. To continue developing as a composer, go to masterclasses, look for mentorship, or work with other artists.
In 2024, there will be excellent prospects to begin a career as a freelance composer, but it also calls for commitment, networking, and lifelong learning. You may successfully negotiate the competitive marketplace by perfecting your profession, developing a solid portfolio, effectively selling yourself, and running your freelance business. You will be able to maintain and expand your career as a freelance composer as you acquire expertise and cultivate contacts in the field, finding fulfillment in both your artistic endeavors and your financial achievement.