Professional Writing Reflection

Now that we are in the final week of the professional writing course, I can reflect on my progress over the last four weeks. Before starting this course, I had experience with professional writing, maintaining my site's blog, submitting to blogs like HipHopSince1987, AllHipHop, Thisis50, and other popular publications. Being a hip-hop artist and independent label owner has made me familiar with pitching myself and my artist for opportunities, I would describe my writing style as instinctual. Although I am not new to this writing style, this course allowed me to revisit and fine-tune my skill set. We covered multiple important lessons, such as the CRAPP Test, which is used to determine the credibility, reliability, authority, purpose, and point of view of our research.

One of the takeaways I recently used in the real world was persuasive writing. Last week, I used my newfound knowledge to reach out to a DJ from Shade45 XM. As suggested in week 3, I stated my purpose was to submit my new single for radio play consideration. I focused on my three main ideas, which were to introduce myself as a professional artist, highlight my relevant achievements, and encourage feedback from their point of view. A few days later, I was driving, listening to Shade45 radio, and heard my song playing! I was extremely excited and reassured that my knowledge was being used.

My greatest strength as a writer has been my ability to communicate my thoughts clearly and confidently with purpose and a unique voice. Throughout each assignment, I was able to connect my personal experiences with the expectations of my audience. Furthermore, I have been able to connect each assignment to my career goals. Although each assignment was prompted by a hypothetical scenario, it has helped me visualize my future. Whether I was describing my long-term goals, researching potential partnerships with Roc Nation, or crafting messages for different platforms.

A major improvement I have noticed in my writing style is that my writing has become more intentional. By tailoring my tone and language when communicating with colleagues, clients, or industry professionals, I can effectively communicate with a broader audience. My instructor, Erin Moore, noted that I was consistently able to personalize my message, present meaningful details, and express my credentials in a way that felt authentic. Additionally, I have learned that less is more. In the past, I have been guilty of oversharing in my writing. I have become more mindful of the reader’s attention span, and the allotted time may be shorter than I am expecting. To keep my audience engaged, I must keep my writing concise.

During my time as a student at Full Sail University, I have seen the AI policy develop with the quickly advancing technology. When I enrolled in 2023, the consensus was that AI was frowned upon and should not be used for assignments. In the present day, 2025, I have noticed that AI use is encouraged when used ethically. This change or perspective is beautiful to see that the curriculum is adapting to real-time industry technology, challenges, and solutions. The use of AI modules like ChatGPT, Gemini, DeepL, and Grammarly is undoubtedly changing the way we learn, communicate, and see the world. In my opinion, I believe we as students entering the industry would be better equipped for the future if we understand how to use these AI tools to our advantage. New technology can be scary for some, but I have never been one to get left behind as the world changes. I welcome the use and understanding of AI with open arms. In my career, I am currently working on building an AI model that will assist independent artists in distributing their music, monetizing their work, and collecting all the royalties they are entitled to. I won’t elaborate much on this business idea, but I will say that the music industry, since day one, has been a technology-based industry, and to thrive in the future, we as business professionals must be prepared to adapt.

AI is already transforming the music industry in every area, from songwriting, music production, mixing, mastering, and even marketing strategy.  AI tools like lyric generators and prompt-responsive music production are allowing companies to save time, save money, and overcome writer’s block daily. Some record labels like Capitol Records are even signing AI artists. AI-powered rapper FN Meka was the first AI artist to sign to a record label in 2022. With the help of Capitol Records, FN Meka was able to rack up 10 million followers on TikTok, 200,000 on Instagram, and even secure a feature with multi-platinum artist Gunna. Although there are mixed reviews on AI, one thing for certain: it is here to stay.

Overall, this course has been enjoyable, it has helped me develop into a more confident, strategic communicator who understands not just what to say but also how to say it effectively.