I’ve spoken with countless composers over the years, and I’ve noticed a pattern. Many of them are incredibly talented. Their music is great. Their passion is undeniable. And yet, they struggle.They don’t get the gigs they want.They don’t know if their music is “industry-ready.”They wonder why others seem to get opportunities while they’re stuck waiting. And here’s the uncomfortable truth: It’s usually not about music. It’s about everything around the music. The way they connect with people. The way they communicate. The way they present their work. Here’s something that might be hard to accept: A composer with solid (not perfect) music, a clear demo reel, and the ability to reach out in a professional and targeted way will get work before a composer who is technically brilliant but does none of those things. Because companies aren’t just looking for musical perfection. They’re looking for someone who understands their needs, who communicates well, who makes their life easier. But here’s where so many composers unknowingly sabotage themselves: ❌ Instead of learning how to confidently reach out to companies, they send one awkward message and give up. ❌ Instead of taking small steps to build relationships, they assume “it’s all about luck.” ❌ Instead of crafting a well-structured demo reel that actually speaks to their target industry, they send a random collection of tracks and hope for the best. And here’s another thing: Many composers assume they know what self-promotion is. They think it means turning into some hyper-confident salesman with years of experience. That thought alone makes them so uncomfortable that they don’t even consider what it actually means. And because of that assumption, they continue doing things in a way that doesn’t work. A well-crafted demo reel—one that is focused on what a company needs—can open doors that a pile of “great but unfocused” tracks never will. And knowing how to reach out properly? That can make the difference between getting ignored and getting hired.

Hey! Welcome to the Audio Artist Rise Community! This community helps music composers improve, optimize, and inspire themselves as they enter or progress in the audio industry. Step #01: Introduce yourself in THIS thread below! (✄ copy/paste template 👇) What are your goals? What is your current demo reel? What immediate help do you need? **Please DO NOT make a new post, as those clog up the feed (they will be removed). ------------------------------------------------------------------ Best practices in this community: • Level up by posting insights and thoughtful comments. • Help others level up by liking 👍 good posts and comments. • Be kind • If you want to reply to a post, make sure to use REPLY instead of creating a new post • If you need quick help, you can also ask the community 🤝