How to Showcase Your Songs to a Song Publisher
Six key things to make sure you are ready
So, you've poured your heart and soul into crafting a good number of songs that you truly believe in. The melodies linger in your mind long after you've written them, the lyrics resonate with raw emotion, and you can feel that these creations deserve to be heard by a wider audience. As a fellow songwriter who’s navigated the exhilarating and sometimes daunting path of bringing songs to life, I understand that burning desire to connect your music with the right people – the publishers who can champion your work (i.e. pitch your songs) and help it reach its full potential.
Imagine the moment your song lands on the desk of a publisher, and it truly captures their attention. It's not just about luck; it's about meticulous preparation, presenting your work professionally, and understanding what publishers are looking for. Let’s dive in and explore how you can best showcase your songwriting talents to the publishing world. Here are six key things to make sure you’re ready.
Six Key Things to Make Sure You Are Ready
1. Crafting Killer Songs: The Indispensable Foundation
A publisher is looking for exceptional songs at the heart of it all. It might sound obvious, but it’s a point worth emphasizing: your songs need to be the absolute best they can be for their genre. Your iPhone recording of a cool idea that hasn't been fully realised won't cut it. The best way to get your foot in the door is to write the most killer song you can.
This means honing your craft relentlessly. It involves taking time learning your craft, from reading books to investing in courses and competitions. Consider resources like Berklee Online, which offers excellent tools for learning. It's about regular practice, even if it’s just for ten minutes a day, focusing on brainstorming hooks or refining verses. As John Chisum aptly states, aspiring songwriters must learn and grow in their craft.
The whole point of Simon On Songs has been to capture and curate as many ideas as possible to help other songwriters get their songs published, and there are over 100 ideas to do that. My books, Song Maps and The Organized Songwriter, could also help.
Don't be afraid to get critiqued. While compliments from loved ones are nice, biased opinions won't help your music grow. Seek constructive criticism to gain new perspectives and identify areas for improvement. Consider the advice you receive with modesty and move on. Remember, if your music doesn't communicate your intent, you shouldn't have to explain it.
Ultimately, your craft has to be the best it can be, and then some, to make an impact. Publishers are busy and overworked, so you need material that immediately grabs their attention and demonstrates your ability to write commercially viable songs.
2. Producing Brilliant Demos: Making a Powerful First Impression
Once you have those killer songs, the next crucial step is to present them in the best possible light through high-quality demos. Your songs need to sound brilliant, not just OK. A poorly produced demo can undermine even the most exceptional songwriting. Technology plays a vital role in getting your craft discovered.
Your demos need to be good enough for them to be able to pitch. This doesn't necessarily mean a full studio production for every song, but it does mean a recording that clearly showcases the melody, harmony, rhythm, and lyrical content of your song. Ensure the vocals are clear and cool, and the instrumentation, even if basic, supports the song effectively.
Think of your demo as your song's representative. It's the first impression a publisher will have of your work. A professional-sounding demo demonstrates your commitment to your craft and makes it easier for the publisher to envision the song's potential. See more about raw songs here.
Invest the time and resources necessary to create demos that do justice to your songwriting. Technology has made home recording more accessible, so take advantage of the available tools. Learn more about writing compelling ‘edge of the table’ songs here.
3. Networking Strategically: Connecting with the Right Doors
After crafting killer songs and recording compelling demos, the next vital element is networking. Networking, craft, and technology will help your craft be discovered. See more about these three steps to get your foot through the door here.
Connect with other individuals in the industry, including other songwriters, co-writers, artists, musicians, producers, publishers, management, PRO contacts, and individuals at industry events. Taking time with other songwriters (especially co-writers) will help you move things faster.
Seek out opportunities to engage with the songwriting community. Attend workshops, seminars, COMPETITIONS and conferences. These events provide invaluable opportunities to learn from experienced professionals, meet potential collaborators, and connect with publishers.
Know why you need a publisher. Understand their role in the music industry, such as pitching songs to artists, facilitating collaborations, and handling administrative tasks like licensing and royalties.
Building relationships takes time and effort. Remember, the music business is often built on relationships. Strategic networking isn't just about meeting people; it's about making meaningful connections with individuals who can help advance your songwriting career. It's about putting yourself in situations where your songs have the potential to be heard by the right ears.
4. Presenting Professionally: Attention to Detail Matters
Professionalism is paramount when showcasing your songs to a publisher. This includes everything from how you approach them initially to the materials you provide.
There’s a very fine line between being pushy and being creepy. There’s also a fine line between pushing back on ideas and sounding like you’re not understanding a publisher’s advice. In the music industry you need to be a ‘good hang’, not a jerk. And there are jerks out there.
Be prepared to provide lyric sheets. These should be clear, accurate, and easy to read. Publishers need to connect with the lyrics they read. Pay attention to formatting and ensure there are no typos or grammatical errors.
Be ready to discuss your views as a writer/musician. Publishers will ask questions that will test whether you are emotionally, sensibly, realistically, well-rounded as a writer/musician, smart, and more. This is your opportunity to articulate your artistic vision and demonstrate your understanding of the songwriting craft and the music market.
When you contact a publisher, do your research beforehand. Understand the types of music they typically work with and make sure your songs are a good fit. Tailor your approach to each publisher you contact. Arrive prepared with a concise and compelling pitch for your songs. Be able to articulate the core idea, target audience, and potential of each song you present.
Remember that your music should speak for itself. You shouldn't have to constantly explain your songs. However, being able to articulate your vision and answer questions thoughtfully demonstrates your professionalism and understanding of your craft.
Presenting professionally also means respecting the publisher's own deadlines. Follow their submission guidelines carefully, be patient when waiting for a response, and don’t chase them up if you haven’t received a response.
5. Understanding the Publisher's Landscape: Knowing What They Seek
To effectively showcase your songs, it's crucial to understand what publishers are looking for in the current music market. Publishers are constantly looking for great song material that has the potential to connect with a broad audience and achieve commercial success.
Be aware of current trends in the music industry. While it's important to develop your unique artistic voice, understanding what resonates with listeners can help you tailor your music to meet those expectations. Study successful songs in your target genres. Analyze their structure, lyrical themes, melodies, and hooks to understand what makes them commercially successful.
However, don't just chase trends. Aim for intelligent originality. While learning from successful songs is valuable, strive to bring your unique perspective and voice to your songwriting. As Sheila Davis said, success involves expressing a viewpoint that will appeal to millions.
Understand that the music marketplace can be challenging. There may be fewer "cuts" available than before. However, focus on writing great songs that add value and believe that "the cream rises to the top".
Ultimately, publishers are looking for well-crafted, commercially viable songs with the potential to make a significant impact. Understanding their perspective will help you tailor your songwriting and presentation accordingly.
6. Persistence and Professionalism: The Long Game
Showcasing your songs to a publisher is often not a one-time event but rather an ongoing process that requires persistence and unwavering professionalism. Don't get discouraged by rejection. Not every song will be a hit, but each completed draft brings you closer to your best work. If you get a bad critique, it can prepare you for dealing with rejection.
Continue to hone your craft, write new songs, and build your catalogue. The more high-quality material you have, the more opportunities you will create for yourself. In all your interactions with industry professionals, maintain a professional attitude. Be reliable, communicative, and respectful of their time.
Understand that building a successful songwriting career takes time and dedication. Make writing a lifestyle, not just a hobby.
In Summary
So, focus relentlessly on writing the best songs you can for your genre, produce high-quality demos that showcase your songs effectively, and network strategically to build connections within the music industry.
Also, present yourself and your songs with professionalism and attention to detail, understand what publishers are really looking for in the current music market, and be persistent, professional, and dedicated to your craft.
Publishers love a good hang, but killer songs will get you signed.
Questions
Here are a few questions you might want to think about:
Are you confident that your current songs represent your absolute best work?
Are you actively building meaningful connections within the music industry?
Are you prepared to present your songs and yourself with the utmost professionalism?
Hope this helps!
Simon.