Music journalism is a dynamic and exciting sector, ideal for those who live on bread and music. Starting to practice this profession is certainly not easy, however. Competition is fierce and the uncertainty of not knowing where to start can be daunting. How to know if you have all the credentials? First of all, you must have a great passion for music, keep up to date with the latest news and releases, be willing to devote time and energy to writing to develop a personal style. With a little patience, optimism and a lot of hard work, you can make your dream come true, which is to turn your love of music into a career.
Steps
Part 1 of 3: Cultivating Necessary Skills and Studying
Step 1. Start writing music reviews
If you have understood that this is your path, it goes without saying that the first thing to do to start gaining experience is to write about music. Review your favorite albums and write down your thoughts when you go to see a concert. Develop a good eye for detail and take your work seriously, while only doing it on an amateur level.
- Look at it this way: the first reviews allow you to gain experience. The goal should be to express your ideas in a clear and interesting way. It aspires to communicate a specific message through every single piece, even though no one reads it.
- The more you know about the music you review, the better. If you have excellent knowledge, you will be able to come up with objective criticisms, make comparisons, focus on the positives and negatives of a song, album or performance.
Step 2. Catch up on the world of music
A journalist never sleeps and the same goes for music critics. When you're not writing, you should do research. Learn about the activities of top artists, pay attention to big announcements, and hear the latest releases right away. Looking for news on the world of music means getting the material to use in your work.
Research is crucial in any area of journalism and can even take more time than the actual writing phase
Step 3. Read top-tier music publications
Become an avid reader of the giants of the printed media, such as Rolling Stone, but also of online sites, Italian and non (in English we recommend Pitchfork and Stereogum). Media outlets allow you to get an idea of what style and content editors are looking for. The process will also allow you to enrich your musical knowledge, helping you to become an expert in the trade.
- Articles that are published in influential magazines and websites are the best of their kind. What do you notice about the style and the message they convey? Do they have something in common?
- Check regularly to find out when vacancies open in the editorial offices of the magazines and sites you follow.
Step 4. Study Journalism or Communication Sciences
Consider enrolling in a targeted degree program. To succeed as a music critic, a degree is not strictly necessary, but it will give you an edge. The type of work that is done at the university also allows you to hone your language skills and gives you the opportunity to make useful contacts for the future.
- If an employer is undecided between you and another person, a degree can give you a distinct competitive advantage and get you the job.
- Find out if it is worthwhile to spend time and money on academic training in your specific case. Maybe you prefer to use your energy to have more concrete experiences. Many famous music journalists have made it through despite not having a degree and all the benefits that come with it.
Part 2 of 3: Getting Experience
Step 1. Refine your style
Write continuously. Perfection can only be achieved with exercise. Work on writing pieces of criticism (including reviews, interviews, specials, and background articles) with a concise and engaging style that grabs the reader's attention and stands out. Learn to write quickly, to get used to working on strict deadlines. Having a resume full of experience is certainly an advantage, but in this sector what really matters for an employer is the skill of the writer.
- Look at your favorite aspects of the articles you read on prestigious websites and magazines. Try to incorporate these traits into your writing.
- Your style should express something unique about the music itself.
Step 2. Enrich the portfolio
As soon as you start writing pieces, collect them in a portfolio so that you can show it to anyone interested. If a potential employer has the ability to review your job samples in a simple and orderly manner, they can more easily assess your style and determine if you are the right person for the magazine. The most powerful articles should be chosen for the portfolio. When you start applying for various jobs, you will be able to complete the resume with the pieces you have selected.
- Start a blog. Much of music journalism is now handled via the internet. A well thought out, renowned blog with a catchy title and full of good content can make a great portfolio.
- Publishing most of your pieces online is fine, but having hard copies of the work that can be distributed by hand is undoubtedly beneficial.
Step 3. Get involved with your local music scene
Build a reputation in your city by participating on the front line. Attend as many concerts as possible and take notes. It's an effective way to get to know journalists, managers, and even the artists themselves. In some cities, small periodicals are published that specialize in covering the area's musicians and music venues. Working or collaborating with one of these magazines is ideal for taking the first steps in the sector.
If there is no newspaper in your area worth writing about, then create one yourself. Zines continue to have some popularity in niche and underground music scenes. You will be able to distribute them in places where you think they will attract the most attention
Step 4. Submit your pieces to various websites and magazines
If you think your works have reached a quality that will appeal to a wider slice of readers, send them to various music publications, whether it's in print or the web. Talk a little about yourself and your passion, be sure to attach samples of the articles you've worked on. If an editor thinks you are a good resource for their magazine, they will likely hire you.
- Before sending the articles, ask the name of the person to contact and to which address to send them. It is a much more professional and organized approach, compared to a massive and indiscriminate bombing.
- Don't be afraid to make a phone call to a magazine you want to work for or to introduce yourself directly to the newsroom. This will highlight your ambition and make it clear that you are willing to do anything to achieve your goal.
Part 3 of 3: Making a Career
Step 1. Make industry contacts right from the start
Build friendly business relationships with people you know. Try to remember the names and faces of the people they introduce to you - you never know who will have the power to help you out in the future. Be kind, polite, and accommodating at work. If a person realizes that you take music and writing seriously, rest assured that they will keep you in mind when it comes to getting an important job done.
- It's not enough to know the right people to be successful, but having good contacts can be of great help. Having a lot of friends never hurt anyone.
- Be willing to do favors whenever you have the opportunity. The people you have helped may reciprocate in the future and allow you to gain a considerable advantage.
- Make an effort to make a good impression. People remember whether they liked a particular person or not.
Step 2. Offer your services as a freelancer
You may not get hired right away by a popular magazine, but that doesn't mean you can't make a living as a music journalist anyway. Keep writing pieces and look for places that assign you projects as a freelancer. Many smaller websites and magazines agree to do sporadic collaborations. It can be difficult to constantly find work as a freelancer and the pay is hardly good, but don't give up. The important thing is to expose yourself and let people talk about you.
- Freelance writing can be very useful for rounding up. You may even be able to get enough gigs to turn it into a full-time job.
- You could also offer to write biographies and press kits of the musicians themselves. Get in touch directly with an artist or their representative to find out if they need it.
Step 3. If you have been lucky enough to receive a job offer at a prestigious magazine, this will make it easier for you to enter the world of journalism
Get to work and prepare to work hard to climb the hierarchy. Be loyal and dedicated to your team, always make sure you give your best. Your efforts will not go unnoticed. After working for some time, it is possible that they will consider you a suitable candidate for a raise or promotion.
- Try to have a positive disposition and be productive, even if at first they have to relegate you to correspondence or to bring coffee. It is a person's personality and work ethic that are the two most important factors in determining how far they will go.
- Try to constantly improve yourself so that your work continues to emerge even once you are well established.
Step 4. Become Editor-in-Chief
This is the position most sought after by most journalists. If you work hard for an extended period, reaching this level is absolutely doable. As editor-in-chief you will have the power to choose articles to publish, supervise the work of the staff and even be the author of interesting pieces on topics of interest to you. Editors also have many other benefits, including free access to concerts, backstage passes, news and early releases, the ability to interview artists.
As editor in chief, your experience will speak for itself. You can decide to offer your talent to other publications and media according to your needs
Advice
- While you can't get paid work right away, you may find a magazine looking for interns and assistants. This experience will allow you to become familiar with the writing, editing and publishing process.
- Articles don't just have to describe the music you review. Learn to offer the reader also qualitative summaries regarding musical releases and performances, in order to improve the listening experience.
- There will likely be criticism of your views, especially if you share them openly on a blog. Tastes are tastes, so not everyone will agree with you. Hard and pure fans will be particularly outspoken in defending the artists you speak of.
- If possible, get in touch with other reporters in the area and invite them to give you tips on how to make a career in the industry. Most of them started the same way as you, so many will be happy to help an aspiring writer and colleague.
- Learn to write about different types of music, rather than specializing in just one genre. If you can diversify your skills, you will be more likely to find work, be published and read.
Warnings
- Do not expect to enrich yourself by doing this job, especially at the beginning. Writers often receive paltry wages, not to mention that freelance work can be in short supply. You will likely be offered the option to publish your articles, but for little money or for free. Accept all the opportunities that arise to spread your work. Once you start making a name for yourself, you can pitch your talent to bigger magazines and sites, expecting better pay.
- Music journalism is an industry mainly made up of freelancers. Some magazines and websites have permanent staff, but most of the pieces are submitted by part-time contributors. As a result, it can be difficult to get a long-term and secure job.
