Lately, I’ve been thinking a lot about what it means to “put myself out there” as a composer.
On one hand, I want to be part of a community of composers.
Having a support system of people going through the same journey feels important—not just for motivation, but for actual growth!
The people who understand this career best ARE other composers.
But here’s the problem.
If I spend all my time connecting with other composers, should I really be surprised that I’m not getting more composing gigs?
This is the trap I think so many of us fall into.
We’re encouraged to “put ourselves out there” and promote our work, but when we do, we’re often doing it in spaces filled with other musicians.
It makes sense—those are the people most likely to engage with our posts, like our music, comment on our process, etc.
But they’re not the ones hiring composers.
So who are we actually talking to?
If we’re looking for work, our audience isn’t just composers—it’s filmmakers, game developers, and other clients, right?
And yet, most of us aren’t really marketing ourselves in a way that actually speaks to them.
I think this can be really hard in 2025 too!
Social media platforms favor engagement, not career growth. So it’s easy to mistake composer engagement for progress…when really, we might just be stuck in a loop of talking to the wrong audience.
So here’s where I’ve landed…
Both are important, but they require different strategies.
đź‘Ą Talking to composers is for community building.
This builds trust, social proof, and long-term connections.
It’s how people get to know you, and it can lead to collaborations, referrals, and opportunities down the road.
It also shows potential clients that you’re active in the industry—even during the times you’re not actively working on a project.
🎞️ Talking to filmmakers is for zeroing in on your ideal client.
This is where your messaging needs to shift.
You’re not just “sharing your work”—you’re solving a problem.
Clients aren’t looking for music, they’re looking for a composer who understands their needs.
So how can we approach these two angles?
📣 Be Clear About Who You’re Talking To
Are you posting something for composers? Or for potential clients? Make sure your content and messaging reflect that.
You might want to find a rhythm in your messaging too!
Maybe for every two times you post or share something for your community, you then share something for your ideal client.
đź“Ť Go Where Clients Are
Filmmakers probably aren’t scrolling through composer hashtags. And even if they are, it's hard to build real connections that way.
They’re in their own communities.
Be active in filmmaker Discords, comment on their YouTube videos, join industry forums, etc. How can you show up in a way that makes you visible to them.
🖼️ Frame Your Messaging the Right Way
Filmmakers don’t necessarily care about “Here’s my latest track.”
They really want to know how YOUR music enhances their film.
Use their language! What emotions are they trying to convey and how can your music represent that?
🙏 Stop Hoping to "Get Discovered"
Posting your music and waiting for a dream client to find you is not a strategy.
Remember, talking directly to clients can create job opportunities while talking to composers creates community.
I think in 2025, you need both, but you also need a plan for each!
For me, I’m realizing that I’ve always wanted to be part of a larger community which is why I have this newsletter, post on YouTube and other social platforms…
But I also want to make sure I’m showing up in the right places when it comes to building a sustainable and fulfilling career!
So if you feel stuck, take a step back and ask yourself: Are you marketing to the people who can actually hire you? And do you have a strategy for balancing community and career growth?
And if this resonates then you should definitely check out one of my recent youtube videos. It’s all about the changes I’d make if I were starting my composing career over!