songwriting

Professional Songwriting Serious? Study Great Songs of All Styles General Characteristics:

• Memorable? A Hook?• Immediate Appeal• Vivid Phrases/Imagery• Beginning, Middle, & End

Song Success IF! A Good Performance Label Promotes Strongly Suits Current Tastes Effective Distribution

Collaboration Know Your Strengths Agreement in Writing

• What is the Split?• Who Can Make Changes or

Mutually Agreed Upon?• Can Contribution be Withdrawn?• How Does Relationship

Terminate?

Work Ethic Tin Pan Alley -was a job Brill Building Pop - a bit more freedom

Home Studio - discipline, writing schedule, network, promote songs

Revenue Streams Mechanicals Royalties- $.091 x 1,000,000 = $91,000 (per song)

50/50 split w/publisher= $45,500 eachControlled Composition Clause 75%75% x .091 x 1,000,000 = $6255050/50 split = $34,125 ($11,375 difference)

Revenue Streams Performance Royalties collected by ASCAP, BMI, SESAC, not the publisher

General Split is 50/50 between publisher and writer(s)

Revenue Streams Film/TV/Cable – Synchronization License

Commercials – Special Use License

Sheet Music – % per copy

Types of Publishing Deals Sign with Established Publisher - single song or exclusive services

Negotiate with Publisher “co-publishing or split the publishing”

Self-Owned Publishing Co Manager operated Publishing Set Up Corporation W/Others Staff Writer

Staff Writer Writer receives recoupable monthly income (draw) as an advance against future royalties

Usually pay ½ of Demo costs 1-3 yrs initial term, with options Work Made For Hire deals more common in film industry, keep the performance royalties

Label Deals Singer/Songwriter with Label deal is good for Publishers

Pressure to Assign some Rights to Label Publishing Co

“Controlled Composition” Clause (75%)

Avoid Cross-Collateralization

Evaluating Publisher Reputation for Integrity Stable Leadership Who Cares About You (Key Man Clause) Long Term Track Record Making Money? Song Promoter Contacts Understands Print Business Foreign License Experience

taxi.com an A&R Service www.taxi.com

Song Writer Resource/Service

Song Writers Guild www.songwritersguild.com Standard Contract Collect Royalties (5.75% w/$1750 cap)

Reviews Publishing Contracts Audits Publishers Administers Catalogs

SGA Collaboration Services Estate Administration Evaluation of Catalogs Workshops for Writers Lobbies Congress

Demos Home Studios, Learn to Use Them Not More Than 3-5 Best Songs Vocals Clearly Heard in Mix Hire a Singer If Your Skill Lacks

Min. Guitar/Piano; Max. Rhythm Section 1-2 others.

Demos Some Can Hear Potential, Others Need Song Arranged In Target Style

Demo Recording: name, address, phone, email on EVERY piece;copyright notice; lyric sheet; cover letter

Promotion by Mail No one opens unsolicited recordings Names of Publishers in your style from Billboard International Buyers Guide

Get Phone & Address Call for name of professional manager, be polite to secretary

Write letter for permission to submit (p45), include self-addressed, postage paid answer card

Direct Contact Visit New York, LA, or Nashville.

Write letter to publishers requesting an appointment. Drop name of any referral

Call to schedule appointment Write thank you note after appointment

Writers Workshops Songwriters Guild ASCAP, BM,I SESAC provide events.