When you pitch songs, you are competing against the big boys. You need to make sure your rights to any co-written song are protected, and for that, we recommend filling out a split sheet. Pitch To Publisher Night is our busiest workshop. When & how to pitch to Labels, Music Publishers + Music Supervisors. Essentially, you’re ready to take the next step and pitch your music to influencers. [Editors Note: This article was written by Chelsea Ira.]. Do some research and target some smaller, up-and-coming recording artists and bands and pitch your songs to them. I’ve been blessed to get away with some interesting chord changes over the course of my songwriting career. We will be covering topics such as: How to pitch songs to artists, A&Rs, record labels and music publishers; How to get a music publishing deal I’ve learned respect begets respect. Don’t talk about who you write with or who liked your songs. Love this : “People only want to work with hardworking, positive people. SongQuarters is the leading tip sheet of songwriting leads with contact info & daily updates. EVER. Make sure it’s commercially competitive. “In the ballpark” is not close enough. Submit Songs. If you’ve never had a cut on a major artist, the chances of you getting one are REALLY slim. Register one song (.mp3 & lyrics) for an Online Pitch session prior to the event at about 10am CST. Don’t hand-write the labels on the CD in sharpie. Make sure that your CD is clearly labeled with a few simple elements: your name and contact information (phone and email), the name of the song or songs and possibly — if it’s a song for an artist — the name of the person you’re pitching it to. SongTown: A No Guru Zone- Why We Created Something Real For Songwriters, There Are Songs in That Guitar: A Songwriter’s Holiday Reflection. Instead, let’s start small and build up little wins that will get your name (and your songs) out in the industry! Your email address will not be published. I just want to check out the workshops and sit in on the pitch to publisher night and song feedback night but … The Melancholy Chord Substitution. Music Publisher Coaching Program. This is a real publisher pitch opportunity. If they like what you send, they may ask for more. Well, let's just do a little songwriting myth busting! And, those mistakes can be costly. The Do’s And Don’ts Of Pitching Your Songs In The Music Business. Other people don’t have anything to do with the quality of your writing. If possible, create a demo at a recording studio or on your computer with music recording software. We are one of the few music publishing companies in Nashville that still has an OPEN DOOR to new songwriters and singers. Let your songs speak for themselves, don’t try to brag your way to the top. If you tell them how hard the business is, how no one will listen to your songs, and other “woe is me” type statements, you’ll get shown the door promptly. A targeted, well-thought-out pitch will have a much bigger impact than spamming them with your whole catalog. Most people will let you do that. Instead, you’re pitching your songs directly to recording artists and publishers should you choose to work with one – almost in more of a B2B (business to business) format. I write great songs like the ones on youtube: “You Can Do It” or “Never Doubt This.” Great writing lyrics for (Country, Dance-hall, Pop, Gospel, Afro etc) songs. If they want more, believe me, they’ll ask. When in doubt, opt for songs that deal with more universal themes that anyone can relate to – you know, love, loss, relationships, struggle. If you think you have some songs with potential, only send those tracks along. Write down the song’s lyrics and the name of each chord in the melody. Therefore, focus on the first level: music publishers. Build Your Network. Again, think rifle, not shotgun. These guys are always looking for a great song that will get them noticed and if they start breaking into the bigger league with your song, your music is going to start getting attention from other recording artists and labels. These events are “pass” or “take a copy” sessions and publishers are not required to give feedback (although many of them will). A split sheet is a simple document that you and your co-writers fill out for each song you write together. Pick your best two shots for that artist and pitch away. Are You A Pro Or Aspiring Songwriter? If they like them, they will contact you. Marty Dodson Finding Publishers Build a repertoire of music before you pitch. So will 10. How To: From the Studio to the A&R Professional. Multi-hit songwriter/Co-Founder of SongTown.com Just google to listen to my song or to read my work. Pick your best two shots for that artist and pitch away. My recent work I think by far is the best but dont know how to pitch it. So I gave up. There are a lot of revenue streams available to songwriters, but today let’s focus on getting your songs cut by recording artists. Join the Music Starts Here Community. Make sure your song is ready. In the music industry, relationships are key. You may also be able to also get referrals from your performing rights representative if your songs are exceptionally good. Going by statistics alone, standing out in that stack of songs is extremely difficult (especially if you have no connections to give you a recommendation). You’re looking to take the next step and get a manager, label deal and maybe a publisher too. The publisher will only listen to the first verse and the chorus of your song. And don’t e-mail them the following day asking what they thought of your songs. Let’s think about the numbers here… an extremely popular recording artist might get thousands of song pitches as they’re gearing up to release a new album. Thank you Marty for this excellent advice. Required fields are marked *, 25% off American Songwriter Magazine. Thank you! If you do not have a printer, this can be done in our members lounge. I’ve been dreaming all my life of being a singer/song writer. Don’t try to guess what they like, show them who you are. Today, I’m going to cover a few best practices that will help you move up in the songwriting industry. Probably 5. "It's impossible to get a song cut... Over the weekend someone tagged me in a Facebook thread that had over 500 comments debating heatedly over whether or not a lyricist was an actual "songwriter"... Co-Author of the top-selling books The Songwriter’s Guide To Mastering Cowriting and  Song Building. Street Pitch guest, D.G., veteran music publisher, who has already generated income for SongU members, is looking for incredible songs for Verge Records artist Trace Adkins. Colin pitches a song to a local publisher in town through the NSAI pitch to publisher night. Trace is currently recording a 25-song album to celebrate his 25th anniversary in country music. You don’t get too many chances to make a good impression before you are put on the “burned bridge” list. I think this point can often be overlooked, but as a songwriter you may not have … Which pile would you rather be in? AWriter'sParadise now selectively offers song pitching and plugging for tv/film as well as artists. It has to be picked up by someone who can give the song a wider reach. Generally, you don’t want to contact them after you drop off the pitch. Pitching songs can be tricky, and there is some great advice here. If not, that means “no”. So, if you find those words coming out of your mouth, stop them in their tracks. The song pitch: 9 tips for getting your songs heard by major artists February 14, 2018 October 29, 2018 Michael Gallant Featured We spoke to a music industry veteran to get 9 tips on how to perfect your song pitch and maximize your chances of major artists hearing – and possibly recording – one of your original songs. Most recording artists want to use songs they can personally relate to – both musically and lyrically. I don't know how many times each week I hear the words "It's impossible". Always get permission before sending. This event is not intended as a publisher evaluation service. They will either "pass" or "take a copy" of your song. Registration fills up very quickly, often within 48 hours, so submit as soon as possible! This helps them get deals done quickly and efficiently. People only want to work with hardworking, positive people. Songwriting Expert Advice: Writing Songs to Pitch by Anika Paris Award-winning songwriter and instructor Anika Paris gets right to the bottom line when it comes to setting your sights and crafting your songs to pitch to publishers and film & television music supervisors. I work equally hard just to maintain these relationships even if I don’t send them songs. Make your presentation business-like. Those people don’t complain and whine. The publisher will either PASS on your song OR he may choose to keep your song for further consideration. Also, NEVER say the words “My songs are better than the ones on the radio”. Publishing gospel music lyrics is a unique industry. You want to pitch songs like someone shooting a rifle, not a shotgun. Pitch songs directly to recording artists Use code: QW9ZGR7H. We have affiliate BMI, ASCAP and SESAC publishing companies pitching songs to recording artists, labels, and producers, as well as for synchronization licenses in film, television, corporate and new media opportunities. Music supervisors will often narrow down their focus to a handful of publishing companies, agents, and labels that they know and trust. With this in mind, it’s best to know as much as you can about the recording artists you want to pitch. Truly a hidden gem for anyone who is a music creator. It’s the polite, best way to do business. If they like what you send, they may ask for more. Chelsea Ira is the Director of Marketing at New Artist Model. They don’t have time to everyone that sends them something they aren’t interested in. They have so much terms and policies. Relevancy is key. That will get tossed in the trash. [Careers In Music] |, Can You Make A Living As A Songwriter? Also, I’m happy to review lyrics a part of my consultations. This is something you see a lot in songwriter-hubs like Nashville, but you can pursue this kind of publishing income from anywhere, even if you’re just starting to make a name for yourself as a songwriter. The publisher may or may not comment on your song. Ask yourself critical questions: how … Okay, first thing’s first, what does it actually mean to pitch your song to recording artists? Go to your library, find Billboard Magazine, look up songs on the Hot 100, R&B or Country charts in the style of your songs and see the accompanying list of publishers. That’s about it. And with all the progress I’ve made, and all the songs I demo, it still amazes me how seldom I actually send them songs. If you have a full length artist CD, suggest the songs you most want them to hear. Unless someone specifically asks you for more, pitch 1-2 songs at a time. Pitching songs (playing songs for publishers, artists or record label people in hopes of getting them to record or help you get a song recorded), is one of the areas where songwriters make the most mistakes. The idea here is not just to throw something out and see if it sticks. People who write better songs than the ones on the radio don’t say that. Your song should hold up against everything they are being pitched or you shouldn’t have pitched it. You want to find musicians and bands that are dedicated and in it for the long run. Most labels will want this kind of information before they move forward with any song, so it’s best to have everything down on paper from the start. The publisher may or may not comment regarding your song. Doing things the right way goes a long way. I want to avoid the “big break” mentality and instead focus on building up to success one-step at a time. Music Publishers, Music Producers and A&R departments are always looking for great songs! This field is for validation purposes and should be left unchanged. Your email address will not be published. Don’t hang around yakking. The world of songwriting can notoriously feel pretty closed off, so I’m going to focus on a few tips that will help you get your foot in the door. If you can provide them songs that work, they’ll love you – no matter who you are (musician, song plugger, publisher, label). Call or e-mail and ask permission to send 1-2 songs. Lamon Records, through its Moody Music Group division, publishes music in all styles and genres. I have a music site and some songs on youtube that artist can listen to. That works. In the real music business, we pitch songs to artists, producers, managers and A&R people. Proofread and play the song to make sure you have written the chords down correctly. If you’re pitching songs to an artist, they’re not hoping for a “bonus track.” If you’re pitching to a publisher, three songs is a good way to show them you’ve got more than one good song without overdoing it. Of course, you have your reputation as a songwriter to consider as well, so really spend a lot of time on the research phase. Simply put, a pop singer probably won’t want to record a country song about growing up on a farm in Montana when her childhood was spent in busy New York. Limit the number of songs you pitch at any one time. Even though gospel music has come a long way since the 60's and 70's, don't try to publish gospel lyrics with a publisher who specializes in rock-n-roll and rap music. Over the past 5 years I have established relationships with 19 pluggers and publishers, and I’ve met with 16 of them in person, some multiple times, and earned my way to having an open door with them. All I can say is who cares? myHitOnline offers an intensive coaching program to accelerate your music career. If they contact you, great! Hence, I am a poet. Even though it worked out in the end in this case, I strongly recommend that you create a 10-12 song album before you pitch to a publisher/label. Pick three (five at the most) that represent you at your best. Again, think rifle, not shotgun. The people you are pitching to don’t care who you know or what names you can drop. Pitching it will hurt you FAR more than it will help you. I promise. Great article! You want to give them precisely what they need (or think they need). Emmanuel Blimie here. The publisher will only listen to the first verse and the chorus of your song. If your song sounds like an amateur wrote it, then it will be tossed out and they’ll remember your name with a scarlet “A” beside it. We only play a VERSE and a CHORUS of each song unless the publisher asks to hear more. In exchange, the publisher takes care of all paperwork, demos the song and uses his or her reputation and contacts to try to get the song recorded. It’s right on target. The ridiculous part of it all is that the things they are saying are "impossible" are not impossible at all. And that means, your network and your connections are everything. The Songwriter’s Guide To Mastering Cowriting, How Much Do Songwriters Make? STEP 2 - The industry guest will listen through a verse and chorus of each song. Don’t hand-write the labels on the CD in sharpie. Start small when pitching songs. For song feedback night and pitch to publisher night, bring a CD with ONE song and bring TWO lyric sheets. Essentially, you (the songwriter) are licensing your song to a recording artist – you’re granting them the right to record and release your song in exchange for some payment. Make your presentation just as good as the publishers that are pitching. Thanks for these powerful reminders. Submit your hits! It includes basic information like percentage ownership, PRO and publisher affiliation, and contact information. also, SongTown Edge Groups are monthly online songwriter meetings run by top industry publishers. Unless someone specifically asks you for more, pitch 1-2 songs at a time. 200 of the world's top artists are looking for songs - right now! Learn how to properly ask for and submit your songs/demo cd for consideration to these music … Doing so places you in the “amateur club” once again. Your chances are much better with newer, less established artists. See what I did right there? Thanks for this Marty. I think this point can often be overlooked, but as a songwriter you may not have a typical artist-fan structure for your career. If you get professional feedback that the song is pitch ready, you can start pitching it without worrying about burning a bridge. It’s a win-win. Make your presentation just as good as the publishers that are pitching. Why? Yet, I stay disciplined not to abuse this privilege. That being said, if you were to finish your songs with a collaborator and then pitch them to publishers, you could always explain to the publisher that you’re exclusively a lyricist. And while a big goal like that is an awesome thing to strive for, it may not be the best place to start. Don’t worry, we value your privacy and you can unsubscribe at any time. Newer artists get pitched hundreds. In other words, this is something that can become a great source of recurring income. It isn’t enough to have a great song. Here are some of the important dos and don’ts to remember when you pitch songs. It’s easy to get discouraged in these kinds of situations, and those little rejections can really slow down your momentum and your confidence. Whether you are writing songs in hopes of a publishing deal, or representing yourself with songs to pitch directly to music supervisors, sync houses and ad agencies, having clarity on the kind of writer you are and where your songs fit is key. . - Musician With A Day Job, Songs: from translating lyrics to writing your own | TRANSTEACH BLOG, The “Instant Melancholy” Chord Substitution, It’s Impossible: More Songwriting Myth Busting. Do your research, know their musical style, become familiar with their catalog of recordings, read interviews, and check out their bio to see if you have a song that might be a good fit. Like that song says, I must be doing something right, because I haven’t had any doors close on me yet. Just don’t. Drop it off and move on. Music Publishing through BMI, ASCAP and SESAC Representing our Music Publishing catalogs: Songs from AmericanaStreet / BMI PraiseStreet Music / BMI Laymond Publishing / BMI Mood… And make sure it fits what the artist is looking for precisely. Don’t hype your songs or defend them, and follow up only once. For a competitive fee, we will add your song(s) to our exclusive roster of pitching and use all of our contacts to personally pitch your songs to money making opportunities that we think are a good match for your music. Members are able to pitch one original song directly to a music publisher. I suggest getting professional feedback on a song before you pitch it on the open market. If you get an appointment or are asked to send some music, don’t overwhelm the person with a ton of songs. A Great Song Doesn’t Care! Check out our suggestions on what you need to consider when looking for a music publisher . Because the job of a real publisher is to get songs cut for their company, not for you. I’m really hoping to get something going soon and so I want to learn all I can before I make a move and you confirmed that’s exactly what I need to do. We use cookies to ensure you get the best experience on our website. Learn more about our privacy policy. Who knows better than a pro? Dropping off a CD loaded with songs screams “I have no idea what I’m doing and no idea what you need, so I’m just sending everything I’ve got.”  Don’t be that guy. TONS OF AMAZING NUGGETS in here, thank you Marty ! Most publishers are specialized and so are their connections. Those people don’t complain and whine. Firstly T-Series is an official music label and it is expensive too.If you want to launch your album with T-Series ,then directly send your mail requesting to launch your album with them. The music business like someone shooting a rifle, not for you I must be doing something right, I! 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