I am no stranger to music; went to college and got a degree with voice and percussion major. I am not a computer idiot, so I can find my way around pretty good. I have some stage fright, but have greatly overcome the worst of it. Just don't know what to do to take the next step. Any help would be greatly appreciated. Thanks in advance.

You might not get a recording on the next Faith Hill album, but hey, you might do gigs in your area and make some money, you might get a song on some aspiring singer's CD, once again, not much money, but a brownie point...

You may even get paid to write songs for certain situations like, local commercials, local video promos for products or services, etc...

another thing of being "professional" is just getting yourself out there as much as possible... This doesn't mean nationally, but once again, locally, people start associating your name with music, in a professional way...

Becoming a "professional" songwriter as I aspire to be takes time and effort. My opinion differs with Michael's in that I don't think you need to have your own studio, but there are great computer programs where you can make pretty good sounding demos if you have the expertise and good worktapes if you don't. There are a lot of great demo services that you can use and get a good piano or guitar/vocal for a reasonable price. I think a website helps show people you take yourself serious and of course, you do need good songs, but that is in your hands.

Most importantly, in my view, is to join organizations, like this one, or NSAI (Nashville Songwriters Assoc), or SGA (Songwriters Guild of America)--any songwriting group that has regional meetings where you can connect with other songwriters face to face, get peer critiques, get education in craft and business, meet co-writers, attend writer's nights, and make friends. Of course, read books and magazines, and write, write, write.

I was wondering how to become a "professional" songwriter.
~~~> you write a songs that artists record and you receive royalties,
then you are a "professional songwriter"
it's a very hard long slow process.
you need to write songs that are as good if not better than songs written by professional songwriters
you create demos of your songs that sound like HITS that belong on the radio now

I have the lyrics on paper,
have the melodies in my head.
How do I get from where I am to the "professional" level?
~~~> write fresh interesting amazing songs
cowrite
find people who can create awesome demos

How do I make professional looking song sheets?
~~~> you don't need sheet music unless you're writing hymns
you just need lyric sheets and CD's of your demos

How do I make a demo of my music?
~~~> you find people who can create excellent demos, there are several in nashville, like
www.thegatorhole.com
or
www.dennymartinmusic.com
some people have good home studios and enough talent to create competitive demos
good voices,
excellent playing ability
excellent recording skills

What kind of contests should I enter, local, internet?
~~~> local and global
contests aren't going to make you a professional songwriter
if you win or final, contests will just affirm that you are writing strong songs and may help you write with better cowriters

you can find a boat load of info at
http://groups.yahoo.com/group/DIFS/messages

good luck

ande rasmussen
http://hometown.aol.com/anderasmussen/myhomepage/profile.html

I am no stranger to music; went to college and got a degree with voice and percussion major. I am not a computer idiot, so I can find my way around pretty good. I have some stage fright, but have greatly overcome the worst of it. Just don't know what to do to take the next step. Any help would be greatly appreciated. Thanks in advance.

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KLG