There appears to be loads of confusion on the market over the query “How Do I Submit A Song As A Songwriter to the music enterprise?”
The reality of the matter is that there isn’t a one strategy to “submit” a music. If you simplify the “music submission” concept, there are mainly three classes of music submissions {that a} songwriter ought to educate themselves about. I’ll cowl every of these right here.
1. Academic submissions.
Academic music submissions are “protected” methods to submit a music that you simply aren’t certain about as a result of the individual you’re submitting the music to is aware of that you’re simply making an attempt to be taught. You aren’t going to burn a bridge if the music isn’t there. These would come with music critiques or suggestions like now we have within the professional discussion board on SongTown. They might additionally embody mentoring periods with considered one of our professionals. Not one of the professionals are going to shut the door on you in the event you submit one thing that isn’t nice. You’re there to be taught and they’re there that can assist you. The standard of your demo doesn’t matter a lot in any respect right here so long as it’s straightforward to know the lyrics and listen to the melody. Easy work tapes are nice.
2. Pitches to publishers or PROS (ASCAP, BMI, SESAC, and so forth).
These embody extra threat. If I waste a writer’s or PRO rep’s time, I threat getting on their “don’t work with” listing. Most of them don’t have time to present you a second likelihood. These alternatives are usually not locations to experiment or check the waters. It’s essential to be assured that you’re giving a writer or PRO rep high quality songs that they assume they may get recorded within the present market until you’re assembly with them in a mentoring sort setting. In any other case, you’re losing their time. Pitching to publishers is way totally different than pitching to artists.
Publishers are trying on the high quality of your music, not a lot the standard of the recording.
The one approach a writer makes cash is that if they get a music recorded. So, if they will’t get your music(s) recorded, they aren’t going to have an interest. When you get a chance to satisfy with and pitch to a writer, you should analysis what that writer does, who their writers are, and so forth. That data will make it easier to pitch that writer one thing she or he would possibly like.
PRO reps can name publishers and get you conferences in the event that they like what you do.
Regardless that they personally are usually not making an attempt to get songs recorded, their job is to assist writers with their group succeed. They are often nice advocates for you in the event that they love your music. Once more, your demo high quality must convey the music effectively and be straightforward to know, but it surely doesn’t must be a full studio demo or observe.
3. Pitching to recording artists.
That is the best threat pitch. I have Keith City’s e-mail. I’ve solely despatched him Three songs in over a 12 months. He has handed on all of them. I really feel like I’m at a tipping level. If I preserve sending him songs he doesn’t LOVE, he’s going to stop opening my e-mails. Kieth doesn’t have time to maintain fooling with somebody that isn’t giving him what he wants. So, I’m going to be tremendous cautious with my subsequent pitch. Even when he doesn’t minimize it, I need him to assume it’s an incredible music in order that I can preserve pitching to him. Whether or not you’re pitching to the artist, a supervisor, a producer, or a file label, you need to be REALLY assured within the music you’re pitching AND the standard of the demo.
The nearer your music demo can sound to one thing that will be on the radio, the higher your probabilities can be.
When you’ve got a easy ballad, you would possibly be capable of get by with a guitar or piano vocal demo. In any other case, you most likely want a extremely good high quality demo. You don’t get many of those direct-to-artist probabilities, so you should actually blow them away.
When you can’t afford full demos, that’s nice. Stick with the primary two sorts of pitches as you’re employed on bettering your writing.
Publishers may help pay for demos in the event that they love your music. Don’t fear that you simply aren’t in a position to get to artists. Simply take advantage of your scenario. And, I all the time suggest ready till you get a “WOW” response from one of many protected alternatives earlier than you climb on up the ladder. When you get a “WOW” response within the Professional Suggestions discussion board, guide a mentoring session with our professional writer. If you get a “WOW” response there, you already know you’ve bought one thing. If not, you keep away from burning a bridge by pitching in one of many extra dangerous conditions.
Many writers pitch songs WAY too quickly and go away burning bridges smoking behind them. Don’t try this. Be affected person. Preserve writing and bettering. That’s the ticket to success.
Write on! ~Marty
Marty Dodson
Co-Founder Songtown/Songwriter/Company Coach