I am new to songwriting. Where do I start?

It is important that you educate yourself so that you have the best chance possible at success. This includes learning about the craft of songwriting as well as the business of songwriting. Educating yourself will also help ensure that you spend your money wisely and learn to steer clear of potential song sharks. There are a variety of magazines and books devoted to the craft and business of songwriting. Taking a little time and spending a little money to educate yourself on the ins and outs of songwriting is a worthwhile investment that can help you reach your goals as a songwriter and save you thousands of dollars in the long run. This is one reason why membership at SongU.com includes unlimited access to all our courses in music, lyric writing, business and more. Learn more about SongU.com courses.

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I only write lyrics. Should I hire someone to write music?

Generally speaking, no. It is not a good practice to have someone write music to your lyric for a fee (also known as a "work-for-hire"). It is better to find a collaborator (co-writer) who will have an equal stake and interest in the success of the song. Instead of a one-time payment, your co-writer would be entitled to a share in copyright ownership of the song. You can find potential co-writers locally in clubs, restaurants, college pubs or bookstores where live music is played. At SongU.com co-writers meet in classes or mentoring sessions as well as on our discussion board. In addition, all our members are listed in the SongU.com Yearbook which can be searched by location, genres, strengths and availability. Another popular way to meet co-writers at SongU.com is through our regular co-writing challenges where we pair up potential co-writers from around the world based on similar interests.

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How can I sell my songs?

This actually is not the correct terminology. A songwriter does not "sell" his or her songs. In most cases, a reputable music publisher will not purchase a song outright for a one-time fee. If a publisher is interested in your song, he may offer you a single-song contract. You should always have a qualified music attorney review any contract before you sign it. When you sign a contract you typically agree to transfer your copyright ownership to the music publisher and give him or her the power to decide how the song will be used. If the copyright (song) generates royalty income, the contract will stipulate how and when the songwriter will be paid as well as the division of royalties between the publisher and songwriter. Often a songwriter can and should negotiate a reversion clause in the contract. This is a provision stating that, unless the publisher is able to secure a commercial recording of your song in an agreed upon time (such as one to three years) under agreed upon conditions (such as by a major label recording artist), the contract is terminated and the copyright ownership reverts back to the songwriter.

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How do I get my songs heard by music industry professionals?

It can be frustrating to feel like you have written a great song, but find closed doors and “no unsolicited material” responses when you try to get an industry professional to listen. Having a well-crafted, professional sounding song is only the first step. The music business is the same as any other industry in that you must be willing to take the time to network and build relationships. A good place to start is by meeting and talking to other songwriters by joining a local songwriting group or an online songwriting community. Your peers often know which publishers may be willing to listen to new material. Also, familiarize yourself with names and current events through industry sources such as Billboard Magazine. These magazines can help you locate the names of publishers actively getting songs recorded and on the charts. Initially, it may be easier to get heard by a smaller company since larger publishers often have paid staff songwriters and little time to listen to outside material. There are also other resources such as pitch sheets that can provide you with tips about who is looking for material for a particular project. A word to the wise, it's good practice to wait until you have strong material before pitching to a publisher. In this way, you make the most of the opportunity by putting your best foot forward and presenting your best material. Always be sure to have your songs evaluated by a professional prior to investing in a demo and pitching the song. At SongU.com we offer regular small group feedback and mentoring sessions where members can play their songs for our faculty and get advice prior to spending money on a demo and pitching the song. We also offer our members an optional one-on-one coaching service where our members can select the coach of their choice to provide them with feedback. Learn more about our feedback and mentoring sessions, our one-on-one coaching service, and open-door pitching at SongU.com.

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How much money does a songwriter earn from a hit song?

A songwriter can earn anywhere from quite a small amount of money to as much as half a million dollars or more for a hit song. Why such a large disparity?  In the United States, a songwriter earns money based upon two types of royalties: (a) Performance Royalties and (b) Mechanical Royalties.

• Performance Royalties are the monies collected and distributed by performing rights organizations (PRO's) for radio airplay, concert performances, commercials, etc. This amount can vary tremendously from a few dollars to thousands (or hundreds of thousands) of dollars based on a song's genre (e.g., Pop, R&B, Country, Christian, etc.), how high the song gets on the charts and how long it remains there. Many songs that are recorded on albums never become radio singles and therefore earn very little or no performance royalties. 
  
  
• Mechanical Royalties are the monies collected and distributed for every "hard copy" sold (e.g., CD's, sheet music, etc.) and can also vary tremendously based on how many albums are sold based on the current statutory rate for mechanical royalties. This amount is split between the songwriter(s) and publisher(s) of the song. So a million selling album could conceivably earn the songwriter and publisher approximately $80,000 in mechanicals to share.  A hit single, however, does not necessarily land on a million-selling album. Songwriter royalties, the split and distribution of royalties between publishers and co-writers in addition to the songwriter’s recoupable earnings are all factors involved in a songwriter's earnings or lack thereof. New computer technologies, the Internet and the legal (and illegal) downloading of music are areas that also affect songwriter earnings.
  

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Why should I study songwriting?

It is important that you educate yourself so that you have the best chance of success. This is one reason why membership at SongU.com includes unlimited access to all our courses in music, lyric writing, business, song feedback, mentoring and more. We believe one of the reasons our members have been successful with pitching at SongU.com is because of our focus on the writer, their education and making each song the best it can be. prior to demoing and pitching it.

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Do I need to copyright my songs?

Copyright protects "original works of authorship" that are fixed in a tangible form of expression. This includes music and lyrics. In effect, your song is “copyrighted” as soon as you create it. You cannot, however, copyright a title or an idea. This is why there are so many songs written with the same title. Registering your copyright with the U.S. Copyright Office is voluntary. Many choose to register their songs just to have them on file. More importantly, if there is ever a question as to infringement, your song must be registered to stand up in court. To register a work, you simply need to submit a completed application form, a non-refundable filing fee and a non-returnable copy of the work to be registered. You can download the application form and get all the necessary information from the U.S. Copyright Office website at http://lcweb.loc.gov/copyright/.

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How much does a demo cost?

A demo (or demonstration recording) is a recording of your song that can be played for industry professionals such as publishers, A&R people and recording artists. In essence, a demo is a sample recording of your song. Demo prices vary considerably depending upon where and how they are produced. A simple piano/vocal or guitar/vocal demo is relatively inexpensive costing approximately $150-$250. Full-band demos obviously cost more. In Nashville, TN, for example, you can get a professional full-band demo for anywhere from $300-$1500. With the rising popularity of computerized home studios, sequencing and sampling, it is possible to find someone who can "do it all" and therefore, the fees may be less. You can find the names of recording studios in your area by simply looking in the Yellow Pages under "recording studios." Music centers such as NY, Los Angeles and Nashville also have studios that can provide mail-in demo services for out-of-town clients. Before investing money in a demo, you should always make sure your song is ready to be demoed by having one or more industry professionals evaluate your song. At SongU.com we offer regular small group feedback and mentoring sessions where members can play their songs for our faculty and get advice prior to spending money on a demo and pitching the song. We also offer our members an optional one-on-one coaching service where our members can select the coach of their choice to provide them with feedback. Learn more about our feedback and mentoring sessions or our one-on-one coaching service at SongU.com.

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Do I need to join ASCAP, BMI or SESAC?

ASCAP, BMI and SESAC are all performing rights organizations (PRO’s) whose main function is to collect and distribute performance royalties to composers and publishers. Many countries around the world have equivalent organizations, such as SOCAN in Canada and ALCS in the United Kingdom. If you are a songwriter or publisher who is being paid Performance Royalties, you must be affiliated with one of these organizations. Since each PRO has a different method of tracking performances, as well as different philosophies and guidelines, it would be wise to do research before making a decision about where or when to affiliate. You can learn more by visiting their websites or by contacting each organization directly and asking to speak to a writer representative.

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How do I get a record deal?

The record industry is a competitive one. There is no such thing as an overnight success. If you are an independent artist looking for a major label record deal, you need talent, time, perseverance and contacts (not to mention luck). A good place to start is by creating a local “buzz.” Don't underestimate the experience and exposure you can get in your own hometown. Take the time to hone your skills and find your own style. Network with other songwriters, musicians and artists on the web or by attending seminars, festivals and visiting larger music industry cities like NY, Los Angeles, Nashville, Austin, Atlanta or Miami. Finally, educate yourself about the business through courses, books and articles, so you can steer clear of false promises and instead recognize legitimate opportunities when they present themselves.

 

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