The Industry.
The Business of Hits.
The Music Industry
A successful career in music isn’t just about creativity—it’s also about understanding how the industry around you works. This module gives you the practical knowledge you need to protect your rights, build strong relationships, and navigate the business side of music with confidence. We begin with the essentials of copyright, publishing rights, and master rights, giving you the tools to handle real-world situations like co-writing sessions, split sheets, and production fees when working with artists. Knowing how to protect your share from the very start ensures you’ll be fairly credited and compensated when your music is released. From there, we’ll turn to the ever-changing world of music consumption trends. You’ll learn how to recognize what the industry is looking for and how to adapt that knowledge into your own creative process—whether it’s how people discover new songs, the rise of short-form content, or shifts in streaming culture. Finally, we’ll zoom out to look at the bigger picture of music companies and rights owners. You’ll gain clarity on the many players you’ll encounter throughout your career—managers, performing rights organizations, publishers, indie and major labels—and understand their roles in helping you build a sustainable career. By the end of this module, you’ll not only understand the creative side of making music but also the structures, deals, and relationships that make long-term success possible in the industry.
Mental Health & Sustainability
A career in music can be exciting, but it also comes with unique pressures that can take a toll on both creativity and wellbeing. This module is about building a healthier, more sustainable path—so you can make music you love without burning out along the way. We start with the psychology of songwriting and production, looking at how to manage expectations, perfectionism, and the fear of failure. You’ll learn strategies for preventing burnout, resisting the trap of “fast fame,” and developing the confidence to say no when it’s needed for your wellbeing. For producers especially, the pace of today’s industry can feel overwhelming. In Surviving as a Producer 101, you’ll explore self-care practices and practical tools for handling creative pressure while still maintaining a steady output of great work. Rejection is also part of every songwriter’s journey. With guidance from Benjamin Groff, you’ll learn how to reframe negative feedback, build emotional resilience, and turn setbacks into fuel for growth rather than roadblocks. Finally, we’ll look at financial sustainability—a crucial but often overlooked part of mental health. You’ll develop skills in budgeting, diversifying income, and avoiding the feast-or-famine cycle that so many creatives face. By the end of this module, you’ll feel more equipped to balance your career, creativity, and personal life—so you can keep making music not just for the next release, but for years to come.
Co-writing and Collaboration
Songwriting is often at its best when it’s a team effort. This module is designed to help you thrive in collaborative settings—whether you’re writing in person, online, or working with artists and industry professionals. We start by looking at group dynamics, giving you simple strategies to make sure everyone in the room feels included, comfortable, and ready to contribute their best ideas. From there, we’ll cover how to run an effective writing session, making the most of your time together and ensuring you leave the room with strong results instead of wasted hours. Collaboration often crosses cultures and borders, which can bring both opportunities and challenges. We’ll explore cultural and territorial differences that can impact creativity, and discuss practical ways to navigate them with respect and openness. You’ll also learn how to approach online cowriting, discovering the tools and platforms that make remote collaboration not only possible but effective. In our advanced sessions, we’ll look at the realities of working with artists, managers, and A&Rs. You’ll get an inside perspective on the benefits and challenges of these collaborations, as well as how to handle creative briefs and expectations from the business side of the industry. By the end of this module, you’ll feel confident stepping into any writing room—physical or virtual—knowing how to contribute, collaborate, and create music that benefits from the power of multiple voices working together. We begin with Object Writing, a creative practice that trains you to find inspiration everywhere and at any time. By engaging all seven senses, you’ll learn how to turn everyday experiences into powerful lyrical ideas. From there, we move into Destination Writing, where you’ll use the six journalistic questions—Who, What, When, Where, Why, and How—to craft story-based lyrics with intention and direction. Storytelling is at the heart of this module. In Part 1, you’ll learn how to create and develop characters that bring your lyrics to life. In Part 2, you’ll take this a step further by drawing inspiration from real daily situations, writing drafts in groups, and turning ordinary moments into songs with impact. Along the way, we’ll explore basic literary devices—metaphors, similes, rhyme, rhythm, and more—and practice weaving them into your lyrics in a way that feels simple, emotional, and effective. Together, we’ll also study the words behind major hits, breaking down how the best lyricists use language, rhythm, and storytelling to make their songs unforgettable. Finally, in our advanced sessions, you’ll experiment with tone, association, power words, complex rhyming and rhythm patterns, and advanced literary and linguistic techniques—pushing your writing from good to outstanding. By the end of this module, you’ll be able to craft lyrics that are not only clever and well-written but also emotionally powerful and commercially relevant—songs that people will want to sing, share, and remember. We begin with the four essential elements of every hit—concept, melody, lyric, and production—and how they intertwine to create something greater than the sum of their parts. From there, we’ll shift into a hands-on exploration of melody. Together, we’ll listen to and analyze some of the biggest hits ever written, learning directly from what has stood the test of time. You’ll practice building hooks and counter-melodies, using techniques like inversion and reversal to craft patterns that stay in the listener’s memory. Step by step, you’ll learn how to layer and distribute hooks throughout a song, making sure your track grabs attention from the very first note to the final outro. We’ll also focus on song structure and the emotional purpose of each section, from an intimate intro to a soaring chorus. Along the way, you’ll revisit and reinforce the importance of repetition—a cornerstone of hit songwriting that turns a good idea into something unforgettable. Finally, in our advanced sessions, you’ll explore contour, tension, phrasing, and modern melodic techniques to craft toplines that resonate across genres, leaving a lasting emotional impact on your listeners. By the end of this module, you’ll not only understand the mechanics of writing a hit—you’ll feel empowered to create music that moves people, sticks in their heads, and stands out in today’s competitive market.
Branding and Marketing
Talent alone isn’t always enough to break through in today’s music industry—you also need a clear identity and the ability to share your work with the right people. This module gives you the tools to present yourself professionally, build your reputation, and grow your network in a way that feels authentic and sustainable. We begin with submitting demos to publishers and labels. You’ll learn exactly what industry professionals expect when receiving a demo, how to prepare your material so it stands out, and the strategies and etiquette that give you the best chance of being heard. From there, we focus on building your personal brand as a songwriter or producer. Who are you as a creative? Where do you fit in the industry landscape? And how can you promote yourself effectively without losing your authenticity? Through real-world examples and guided reflection, you’ll learn how to define your artistic identity and communicate it with clarity and confidence. Finally, we’ll dive into networking, one of the most powerful tools for success in music. You’ll explore strategies for building a trusted core team of collaborators while also developing a broad international network. Together, we’ll break down the myths of networking and focus on practical, human ways to form meaningful industry connections that last. By the end of this module, you’ll know how to present your music professionally, shape your creative identity, and grow the kinds of relationships that open doors—helping you move forward in your career with confidence and purpose.
