Even if you haven't noticed, every time you turn on your TV or radio, or when you connect to the Internet, there are advertisers using music. If you’ve ever stopped to think about how that music ends up being used, and if you would like to know if you can make money by writing it, then this article will give you valuable information about how to write songs for commercials.

All that you will really need to get started is a computer with a decent sound card, some music creation software, an inexpensive piano keyboard (although almost all music creation software allows you to enter information with a mouse), a microphone and an Internet connection. Next, take very detailed notice of the music used in the local commercials that you hear and see. What is the mood of the overall commercial spot? Who is the commercial trying to reach? What is the overall feel or effect when the music and script are combined? Use this knowledge as a guide to writing your own music.

Once you’ve developed a variety of styles, you can begin to approach the marketing and advertising agencies in your local market with your music. A good idea is to burn some samples to a CD, which you can leave with anyone you speak with who would like to have a copy for reference.

Your music writing set-up does not need to be complicated or very expensive. Here is a list of the minimum things that you will need to get started:

1. Computer: PC or Macintosh or stand alone-hard disk multitrack recorder. The more powerful the computer the better, but no matter what brand, it should have a processor that is at least 2.0Ghtz and RAM of at least 1GB. You can also use one of the many multitrack recorders that are on the market from Korg, Tascam, Roland, Zoom, and Boss.

2. Sound Card: If you are using a computer, you will need a good sound card that allows you to input audio and midi information into your computer. There are very affordable options out there from Presonus, Tascam, MOTU, M-Audio, Fostex and others. If you are a keyboard player, make sure the sound card has a midi input as well as audio inputs.http://www.sweetwater.com/shop/computer-audio/audio_interfaces/buying_guide.php

3. Software: Again if you are using a computer, you will need musical creation software. Pro Tools is still the industry standard but it is very expensive. There are some very powerful, affordable options out there such as Reason, Cakewalk, Logic, Garage Band, and FL Studio.

4. Microphone: This would mostly be used when recording a vocal melody to a jingle you have written. The best mics for recording vocals are still condenser microphones. You can spend a lot of money on microphones, but you don’t have to. Check out microphones by Behringer and MXL. They will give you high quality at a low price.http://www.shure.com/ProAudio/Resources/HowToUse/us_how_to_use_vocalmiking

5. Instruments: Guitars, keyboards, drums, drum machines. Don’t worry too much if you don’t have them or if you can't play these instruments. Most software allows you to create music using just your mouse.

Musical knowledge is very helpful when it comes to writing songs, but you might be surprised to learn that it isn’t mandatory. If you have a good set of ears and have conquered the use of your musical software, you can create with the best of them.

Listen closely to local TV and radio commercials that you hear and see. What is the music like in each spot? How does it relate to the overall feel of the commercial? First ask yourself if the commercial is comedic, dramatic, or informative and notice what kinds of music go with each style of commercial. You will start to notice how the music is always playing a supportive role in the advertisement. This is the key!

A really good way to practice your hand at this is to look at some magazine ads. Decide if the ad copy is funny, serious, or informative and record your voice reading the words. Next create music that fits the style of the ad based on what you’ve heard in the local commercials that you’ve studied. Keep in mind that this is for practice, and try your hand at as many different styles as you can.

To dig deeper into improving your song writing think about the most important aspects of the songs that you hear. The element that is most often used to draw you in and keep your attention is melody. If you want to strengthen your song writing ability study up on writing strong melodies.http://www.musictheory.net/ Another great resource on the topic of writing melody is the book Creating Melodies by Dick Weissman.http://www.amazon.com/

Once you’ve developed a knack for writing different styles of music to fit different types of advertisements, a great place to get started selling your music is in your own backyard. No matter what size town you live in, the chances are good that there are local cable stations as well as area advertising and marketing agencies that have musical needs. Many small towns even have media production companies that also need music on a regular basis.http://www.mbsolutions.com/articles/film-tv_market_art.html

Remember the local TV and radio advertisements you listened to? Call those businesses directly! When you call, ask for their marketing manager and talk to them about the projects that they have coming up.

Just be sure to listen intently and make specific notes as to what each client needs and wants. Then all you really have to do is follow their directions and you’ll be on your way to creating a repeat customer for your music.