You’ve hummed or whistled a jingle at some point in your life. And whether you know it or not, those catchy little tunes are worth big bucks.
That’s right – you can get paid to write and compose jingles! So if you’ve got a knack for melody and a way with words, why not give jingle writing a try? Here’s everything you need to know to start this fun and lucrative business.
Jingle 101
A jingle is a short, catchy tune typically used in radio and television advertising. These tunes help businesses and business owners stand out from the crowd by imprinting their brand or product in people’s minds through pieces of music.
There are many reasons businesses need jingles, including to help promote their products or services, create brand recognition, and capture potential customers’ attention.
Additionally, because music is powerful and has a substantial impact on our emotions, jingles can also help businesses create a positive association in the minds of consumers.
Types of Jingles
There are many types of jingles, each with its purpose and style.
Pop Jingles
Pop jingles often feature current pop music instruments, original music, and styles to create a modern, upbeat sound. They are often used in television commercials and online video ads. Pop jingles can effectively create immediate recognition of the advertised brand or product.
Instrumental Jingles
Make use of instruments, such as guitars, keyboards, drums, and bass, to evoke an upbeat sound that captures the audience’s attention. These jingles are often used in television commercials, radio spots, and online video advertisements to create an energetic, memorable tune that sticks in the audience’s minds.
Custom Jingles
Created specifically for a product or brand and tailored to their needs. These jingles create a unique and memorable sound that is instantly recognizable. Using custom jingles, brands can create a distinctive sound that will help them stand out from their competitors.
Acapella Jingles
Acapella jingles use vocal harmonies to create an uplifting and joyous atmosphere. These jingles are often used in television commercials, radio spots, and online video advertisements to create a festive mood that captures the audience’s attention.
Corporate Jingles
Corporate jingles use modern musical instruments and styles to create an authoritative and professional sound. They are often used in television commercials, radio spots, and online video advertisements to communicate a powerful message about the advertised brand or product.
Kids Jingles
Kids’ jingles are designed to be fun and upbeat, using bright and cheerful music to create an entertaining atmosphere. They are often used for advertising products marketed toward children, such as toys and candy.
Parody Jingles
Parody jingles are designed to be humorous and lighthearted, using familiar tunes in a new way. These jingles are in television commercials, radio spots, and online video advertisements to create a comical atmosphere that will grab the audience’s attention.
They are often used to parody popular songs or commercials, creating an entertaining twist that is sure to be remembered.
Holiday Jingles
Jingles are created to capture the festive spirit of a particular holiday and can be used in television commercials, radio spots, and online video advertisements to create a joyful atmosphere. Using holiday jingles, brands can evoke positive feelings in their audience and create a lasting impression of their product or brand.
National Jingles
They are created to evoke patriotism and pride in the represented country or region. Communicate a patriotic message that resonates with the audience.
How to Get Started Writing Jingles
Here are the steps you can take to become a jingle writer:
Practically;
- The first step is to understand what a jingle is and how it can be used. Learn about different types of jingles and how they are used to create an emotional connection with the audience.
- brainstorm different musical and lyrical ideas. Try experimenting with different instruments, beats and vocal harmonies until you find a sound that resonates with your creative vision.
- After you have an idea of the musical elements, you can begin writing the lyrics for your jingle. Focus on creating a memorable phrase or slogan that encapsulates what the brand or product is all about.
- Once you have a finished jingle, make sure to get it recorded and mixed professionally so that it sounds great on any medium.
On a Broad view;
Learn Songwriting and Composing Skills
Jingle writing involves creating catchy melodies and lyrics. Therefore, take some time to learn the basics of music composition, including chord progressions, song structure, and melody writing. You can learn these skills through books or online tutorials, courses or workshops on music composition, and gaining experience writing copy for marketing campaigns.
Develop Your Knowledge of Sound Production
Producing a professional-sounding jingle is just as crucial as writing the melody and lyrics. It would help if you learned how to use digital audio workstations (DAWs) like Pro Tools or Logic to record, mix, and master your jingles. There are methods to use technology to improve the sound of your recordings, even if you’re recording at home. Understanding how technology can improve your jingle writing will help you look more professional and increase your chances of landing a job.
Practice and Develop Your Craft
Once you have developed a basic understanding of songwriting and sound production, you should start writing and producing jingles for practice. There are plenty of online resources you can use for inspiration and feedback.
Build Your Network
After successfully recording a few professional-sounding jingles, start building a network of people who may be interested in using them. It can also be helpful to build relationships and pitch your jingles to advertising agencies, radio broadcasters, and other businesses and potential clients interested in hiring a jingle writer.
Make Your Jingles Available for Sale
It would help if you also created an online portfolio or store to make your jingles available for purchase. Platforms like Airbit and Soundstripe are great options for this.
Continue to Refine and Improve Your Skill Set
Don’t be afraid to experiment and try out different writing styles or sound production techniques. The more you practice, the better your jingles will be.
What Equipment Do You Need for Your Jingle Writing Business
To create jingles, you will need various musical equipment, software for composing and editing music and lyrics, and instruments such as keyboards or guitars.
Additionally, invest in high-quality audio recording equipment to capture your compositions in the best possible quality. You will also need to have access to a reliable internet connection to collaborate with clients and share your work online.
How to Market Your Jingle Writing Business for Success
One of the most important things to consider when marketing your jingle writing business is crafting a compelling online presence.
It may involve setting up a website or social media profiles and creating content such as blog posts, videos, or infographics that can help you attract new clients and demonstrate your skills and experience.
Other marketing strategies for promoting your business include advertising through online marketing channels, participating in industry events or conferences, and reaching out to potential clients directly.
Whatever tactics you choose, you must be consistent and persistent in your marketing efforts if you want to succeed as a jingle writer.
How Much Can You Charge for a Jingle
The cost of a jingle will vary depending on factors such as the scope and length of the project and your level of experience and expertise.
As a general guideline, you should charge between $500 and $1000 though this can add up to a passive income per jingle, depending on each client’s particular needs and requirements.
To determine an appropriate rate, it will be helpful to research what other jingle writers in your locality are charging and consider the value your services can provide to clients.
Ultimately, pricing should be based on the quality and effectiveness of your work, not simply on how much you think you can get away with charging.
In terms of the average salary of jingle writers, online sources indicate that the salary for jingle writers ranges from around $21,000 to over $100,000, with an average of around $53,000.
Writing a Catchy Jingle – Tips and Tricks
- Start by researching and brainstorming to develop original and creative ideas. It can involve reading advertising copy, exploring different musical styles and genres, or looking at what your competitors are doing in the industry.
- Always be open to feedback from clients and collaborators, as this can help you refine your ideas and improve the quality of your work.
- When composing music for a memorable jingle, it can be helpful to focus on creating catchy and memorable hooks that will stick in the listener’s mind. It may involve repetition or other musical devices such as rhythm, tempo, or melody.
- If a client has a song in mind for their jingle, it is essential to carefully consider their requests and preferences while still maintaining creativity and originality.
It may involve working closely with the client to understand their vision and craft the ideal jingle that meets their needs and your artistic standards.
- As you gain more experience writing jingles, you should experiment with different styles and genres to stand out.
It could include exploring different instrumentation, incorporating vocals or other sound effects, or experimenting with more avant-garde techniques.
- Also, remember that networking and building relationships within the industry will be vital to growing your business, capturing new clients, and making clients happy.
Attend industry events, connect with other jingle writers on social media, or collaborate with other creative professionals to build your reputation and expand your network of contacts. With consistent effort and dedication, you can become a successful jingle writer!
- To maximize your earning potential as a jingle writer, building a solid portfolio of successful projects and developing positive relationships with clients and industry professionals is essential.
Selection of Songs for Jingle
When selecting songs for a jingle, several key factors must be considered. These may include the target audience for the ad, as well as the style and genre of music that is most likely to resonate with them.
Other essential considerations could include using familiar or popular songs easily recognized by listeners and choosing high-quality products that will reflect positively on your client’s brand.
To maximize the effectiveness of your jingle, it may be helpful to work with a music producer or other industry professionals who can offer guidance and advice on selecting the right songs for the job.
Jingle Length
There is no single “correct” length for a jingle, as this can vary depending on several factors, including the client’s specific requirements, the medium (e.g., radio or TV advertising), and the overall goal of the ad campaign.
Most jingles are relatively short, typically lasting between 5 and 30 seconds. In general, shorter jingles are more commonly used for TV ads or short-form content. Extended jingles may be more appropriate for radio spots or lengthy marketing campaigns.
Conclusion
There’s big money in writing jingles! And, now that you know how to do it, there’s no reason why you can’t get in on the action. With creativity and elbow grease, you can be raking in the dough with your own jingle writing business.
So what are you waiting for? Get started today.
