Meet Tyler Philip Ratcliffe

We caught up with the brilliant and insightful Tyler Philip Ratcliffe a few weeks ago and have shared our conversation below.

Tyler Philip, first a big thank you for taking the time to share your thoughts and insights with us today. I’m sure many of our readers will benefit from your wisdom, and one of the areas where we think your insight might be most helpful is related to imposter syndrome. Imposter syndrome is holding so many people back from reaching their true and highest potential and so we’d love to hear about your journey and how you overcame imposter syndrome.

Imposter syndrome is REAL for sure–it’s powerful and it will keep you locked in place afraid of moving forward. I definitely faced this early on and 2 specific things really made all the difference in overcoming it. First, I worked like a crazy person to earn it. If I felt like I was farther in my career than I deserved to be, no one was going to outwork me. I decided early on that I was going to become the hardest worker in every room I walked into. That helped on days where I felt like an imposter. I had the thought “well, if I AM an imposter, I better work so hard that no one finds out!” lol idk if it was the best approach but it’s just how I handled it. The second thing was listening to the encouragement around me from friends and family and BELIEVING THEM. When people said my music was impactful and God was going to use it in big ways, I didn’t belittle it and brush it off. I chose to believe them and then work hard to make sure I was ready if/when God chose to use my music for something.

Appreciate the insights and wisdom. Before we dig deeper and ask you about the skills that matter and more, maybe you can tell our readers about yourself?

My name’s Tyler Philip Ratcliffe and I write songs for Jesus. I started writing songs 2 years ago and began sharing them with friends and family. Over time, God started sending me amazing connections with genuine christian music industry professionals and with increasing support, my wife and I took the step of faith to sell our small business and I was able to step into what God was clearly calling me to.

Now I have the blessing of the opportunity to write, release and sing full time and it’s all because of the doors God has opened and the support of others who believe in my ministry. What’s honestly so cool about this journey is that I didn’t chase it: God called me into it by simply taking one step of faith after the other.

Whether it’s a Sunday morning at church, a worship night, traveling fro concerts, writing sessions, or any other place I find myself, I am so grateful to the Lord for calling me into this. The legacy of ministry and hard work I get to leave for my kids is truly a blessing and I believe we are just beginning.

There is so much advice out there about all the different skills and qualities folks need to develop in order to succeed in today’s highly competitive environment and often it can feel overwhelming. So, if we had to break it down to just the three that matter most, which three skills or qualities would you focus on?

First, willingness to step through open doors that God puts in front of you (no matter how crazy it may seem or who else may tell you it’s not the right move). The story that Taylor (my wife) and I have weaved together over the last decade is one of radical steps of faith, and I pray that we never get comfortable because that is where the enemy gets a foothold.

Second, ALWAYS and I mean always, be the hardest worker in the room. I can’t tell you how much preparation that has taken because it requires planning as well as effort. At the beginning, I was trying to live by this and fly by the seat of my pants and it didn’t always work out. When I began to plan ahead it made all the difference. Heading to a writing room? Read books and watch online courses about cowriting, research writers you’re meeting to understand their styles, and come prepared with ideas. Going to a meet and greet? Pray ahead, smash some caffeine and walk in with the intention of building relationships, listening to others and not be in promotion mode. Preparation goes a long way!!

Third, learn everything about everything but then hire it out as funds allow. At the beginning of this, I had a laptop and a mic and I worked every aspect of what I did. As I met people who were better at certain things than me, I started delegating things but I still find it important to know every aspect of what’s going on. I bug my producer about the vocal chain he uses, I walk step by step with my marketing team through everything we do in promotion. I could do it all myself if needed. It helps me communicate well with every person I work with and I’m not fully reliant on anyone else. It gave me the power to choose who I work with. I think a big mistake young artists make is waiting for a label to “find them”. If you’re successful and hardworking, you don’t need a label and no one can take advantage of you. IF you choose to work with a label it will be on your own terms, and that makes for a much healthier working relationship.

There are amazing people in the industry who will come alongside you, but it’s better if you are in the position to collaborate with them, not just blindly trust someone with your music career. Knowledge is power so pick up a book, watch videos, listen to a podcast. Make sure you’re always learning and asking questions. Don’t wait to be “discovered” no one else is going to hand you a career.

Who has been most helpful in helping you overcome challenges or build and develop the essential skills, qualities or knowledge you needed to be successful?

Honestly, God has brought so many people into my life in the last two years that I would love to highlight. In the season I am in, I am SO grateful for Eric Abbott from Kingdom Chorus. We met at a writing retreat last year and he was offering marketing in the form of playlisting. We connected and he has been with me every step of the way since then. He’s an amazing soundboard for all my crazy ideas and he’s always willing to do research to point me in the right direction and take steps forward.

I think the questions I have asked along with Eric keeping me focused is a huge reason I am where I am and that Kingdom Chorus has also grown to become what it is today. I know we have so much more work together moving forward and I am grateful to have him by my side.

Never underestimate collaboration with Godly people.

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Image Credits

Melinda Brautigam
Spencer Wolfe
Josiah Dake

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