Songwriting is an art and almost anyone can be a songwriter. It’s not that hard. What is hard is the business and marketing aspect of songwriting. This is where most songwriters are struggling to get familiar with. This tutorial is written for a beginner and novice songwriter that wants to pursue a career in songwriting whether for full-time or part-time.
Settle Copyright Issues First and Manage your Catalog
You should understand copyright issues first before thinking of promoting your songs. Classic rule of thumb is to register your work in the copyright office before moving forward. There is a fee during registration; so to cut cost you can register all of your songs as one application. Make sure you do not commit these mistakes in copyright registration by songwriters.
Document your songs into something you can easily organize. As simple as an Excel workbook will do; jot down important facts about your songs. These can be as follows:
1.) Title – This is the official song title. This should be permanent and it’s not recommended to change this once the song will be registered with the copyright office.
2.) Date written – the date of completion for the song lyrics and melodies. This should be final. If you are thinking to revise the song in the future, don’t mark it complete or register it to a copyright office. Instead, put “ongoing” as the status in the date.
2.) Co-writer (if applicable)
3.) Lyricist (if you don’t write the lyrics)
4.) Copyright registration status
5.) Copyright registration number (if already registered)
6.) Link to the lyrics
7.) Link to the demo recording of the song.
8.) Performance right society registration status (if you are affiliated such as BMI, ASCAP, etc)
9.) Publication status – “published” or “unpublished”
There can other information that you need to track. It’s up to you to decide. In addition, if you created a broadcast quality sound recording of your song in own home studio; then you might want to add a new field about sound recording copyright registration (since this is different from the copyright of the song) and other related fields. Below is an example screenshot of the Excel sheet:
music catalog organization
Learn more tips about organizing your music catalog. Keep your documentation updated as you continue to write more songs or other updates pertaining to your catalog. Keep this workbook in a secure location and make backups to this file in case of accidental deletion.
The essence of copyright in songwriting is very important. No copyright means no proof of ownership. And then there is no money or business for things that you don’t own. Remember that songs are your main assets.
Careful about publishing your songs
In this article about publishing songs, it illustrated the differences between “unpublished” and “published” works.
If you are in the business of songwriting; these are your customers:
a.) Music publisher
b.) Recording label
c.) Recording producer
d.) Other business sector in the music industry
They are responsible for publishing and recording your songs. Now it doesn’t mean you cannot publish it yourself. It is because you are not only the song author but a music publisher as well. You are automatically granted with publishing rights to your original songs by copyright law.
Now with the publishing rights granted, it does not mean you will immediately publish all of your works on the Internet or anywhere else; published your works when it’s only necessary.
Your clients might still require some of your best songs to be “unpublished”. The primary reason why they are doing this is to make sure the songs are fresh and unexploited by other publishers or label. Further reason is to minimize issues associated with complex copyright ownership as a result of previous publishing. For example, if you enter into an agreement with a music publisher, then the song is now considered published. You cannot simply enter into another agreement with another music publisher unless the contract will be terminated which is not easy to do.
Careful about uploading your songs on the Internet; it’s because it can qualify your songs as being “published”. It doesn’t mean you cannot upload your songs but careful to whom you are sharing your songs with.
Earn some reputation first before doing the DIY publishing route
A good strategy of earning some reputation as a songwriter is to partner with a reputable music publisher. They will be the one that will publish your songs to be recorded or performed by some recording artist. Make sure you are pitching the best/high potential hit songs in your catalog to increase your chance of success. Depending on your luck and hard work, if your song will be recorded and could become hits, you will become a known songwriter and will earn a good reputation from your hard work.
This is the case with Diane Warren, one of the world’s most prolific songwriter. At the early stage of her career, she was signed to a publisher that releases her first hit song. After that, she went alone by building her own music publishing company. As a result, she now owns all the rights of her songs as well as all income that goes along with it (source: songwriterdianewarren.com)
The lesson here is that self-publishing would only work if you have some great reputation as a songwriter. Without this, no one will be interested to listen to your songs or do business with you.
Research music publishers that are accepting demos
Not all music publishers are accepting demos. Just because they are music publishers, you are not allowed to bombard them with your demos. Even if demo submission is allowed, you need to be sure if they are willing to accept unsolicited demos or not. Below are some example steps that you can adopt:
Step1.) Use any search engine (Bing or Google) to start your search.
Step2.) Supposing you landed on this page and you are a songwriter from UK. This page lists all music members of MPA (Music Publisher Association). Using this form you can search for music publishers that are accepting unsolicited demos or not (at your preferred music genre).
search music publisher
Step3.) Present your demos professionally to the music publisher. You need to know their requirements of submitting demo and ensure it is complied. Depending on their requirements, you can be submitting demos either online or off-line (using CD and hard copy of your press kits).
Step4.) If you will be offered with a publishing contract, then congratulations- make sure you fully understand what you are signing. Hiring an entertainment lawyer to review the contract will be a good move, especially if you found out that the clauses are confusing and difficult to understand.
Your income sources are from music licenses and performance
Once you have songs that are signed, published and licensed by recording labels, etc. You should be earning income for your songs. If you are signed to a music publisher, the income will be divided between you and the publisher depending on the agreement.
Songwriting income can further be amplified if you have successful hit songs that made to the top of the charts. It’s because public performance royalties can be a significant income source.
Music licensing is a completely different topic that is best left to a dedicated music publisher. But understanding the key music rights being licensed is also important to you as a songwriter. The following are some suggested tutorials:
a.) Guide on using copyrighted music for films
b.) Beginner tutorial on public performance
c.) Important insights on mechanical licensing
Content last updated on October 24, 2012