How to become a Lyricist

A lyricist is someone who crafts the creative words that are used in songs entertainment, artistic, or commercial purposes lyricists require some formal, a bachelor's degree in music theory or another related subject may be beneficial. A successful lyrics writer will work with a musical composer who can give feedback on how the written lyrics will work in conjunction with the music. A lyricist writes the words to a song, also writes the music, this is an advantage as they can control both the aspects of the song, which gives them artistic feeling that they were aiming for.

The roles and responsibilities of lyricist includes:

• To understand the audience, song specifications and genre you are writing lyrics for.
• To listen proposed melodies to determine the mood,  style, tone of the song before writing.
• To collaborate with musicians,composers, singers, artists, and various other professionals.
• To attend events and festivals where you can network with other writers and artists
• Advising, training, and mentoring junior Lyricists.

To become a lyricist, the aspirants must need to develop certain skills like an excellent understanding of language, style and structure, poetic voice. Lyricist must pose diverse writing portfolio and good presentation skills, must have the ability to simplify lengthy stories and to modify them in song lyrics, Lyricist research the subject’s matter and work on it extensively, must have the ability to think uniquely to develop content and must also have creative thinking skills which will make his lyrics unique from others.

To become a Lyricist, an aspirant must acquire skills like Writing talent, originality, ability to work independently and self-promotion abilities. Any self-driven individual wanting to pursue a career as a Lyricist should have an interest in writing. The individual should have creative thinking and out of the box imagination. The individual must also have good communication and writing skills.

The salary of lyricist is as follows :

• Minimum Monthly Income: Aspiring Lyricists in India may begin their careers with a minimum monthly income of approximately INR 10,000 to INR 20,000. These entry-level lyricists often start by contributing lyrics for smaller projects or collaborating with emerging artists.
• Maximum Monthly Income: Experienced and established Lyricists, particularly those who have built a reputation and have worked on successful songs for well-known artists or major projects, can earn a maximum monthly income ranging from INR 50,000 to INR 1,00,000 or more.
• Annual Income: The annual income of a Lyricist varies widely depending on factors such as the number of projects undertaken, the popularity of the songs, royalties earned, and the ability to create impactful and memorable lyrics consistently. Established Lyricists who consistently contribute lyrics to hit songs and maintain a steady flow of work may earn an annual income ranging from INR 2,40,000 to INR 12,00,000 or higher.
• Highest Earning Opportunities and Scope: Lyricists who excel in crafting lyrics that resonate with a broad audience and can capture emotions and stories in their words often enjoy higher earning potential. Collaborating with renowned music composers and established singers and working on projects for popular films, albums, or commercial advertisements can increase income. The scope for Lyricists is promising, as music remains an integral part of culture and entertainment. With the diverse platforms available for sharing music, including streaming services, social media, and digital platforms, skilled Lyricists can reach a global audience and significantly impact the music industry.

There is no as such common entrance exam conducted at state or national level. The admission to educational institutes will based on merit list obtained in 10+2 level. Some universities/colleges conduct their own subjective entrance exam and interview.

A lyricist has the creative ability to craft impactful and emotive words that enhance music and storytelling. Lyricists can find opportunities in various industries where their skills in writing and storytelling are valued. Some of the industries open for lyricists include:

1. Music Industry: The most obvious industry for lyricists is the music industry itself. Lyricists collaborate with musicians, composers, and artists to create song lyrics for various genres, including pop, rock, hip-hop, country, and more.
2. Film and Television: Lyricists can write songs and theme music for movies, TV shows, commercials, and other visual media. They contribute to soundtracks, create pieces that evoke specific emotions, and enhance storytelling.
3. Theatre and Musical Theater: Lyricists are essential for creating the lyrics of songs in musical theatre productions, contributing to character development, plot advancement, and emotional resonance.
4. Advertising and Marketing: Lyricists can work with advertising agencies to create catchy and memorable jingles or lyrics for commercials and marketing campaigns.
5. Gaming Industry: Video games often feature original music and songs. Lyricists can contribute lyrics for in-game music, character themes, and other audio elements.
6. Online Content Creation: Lyricists can create original songs for YouTube channels, podcasts, social media content, and other platforms.
7. Content Creation Platforms: Lyricists can sell their lyrics on platforms that connect songwriters with artists and musicians seeking original content.
8. Publishing: Lyricists can write poetry, create song lyrics, or contribute to anthologies, books, and literary publications.
9. Education: Lyricists passionate about teaching can work in educational settings, teaching songwriting, creative writing, or music-related courses.
10. Event Production and Entertainment: Lyricists can contribute to live performances, concerts, festivals, and events, creating original songs or adapting existing material.
11. Non-Profit and Social Causes: Lyricists can collaborate with non-profit organizations to create songs that raise awareness and advocate for social and humanitarian causes.
12. Collaborative Projects: Lyricists can collaborate with visual artists, poets, writers, and musicians on interdisciplinary projects that combine different forms of artistic expression.
13. Personal Branding and Influencer Content: Lyricists can create original songs or jingles for personal branding, influencer marketing, and content creation on platforms like TikTok or Instagram.
14. Media and Journalism: Lyricists can write music reviews, profiles, or articles related to the music industry for newspapers, magazines, blogs, and online publications.
15. Cultural and Heritage Organizations: Lyricists can contribute to projects celebrating cultural heritage, traditions, and storytelling through music and lyrics.