songwriting
DESCRIPTION
slides used in my music business class based on Baskerville's bookTRANSCRIPT
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Mutually Agreed Upon?• Can Contribution be Withdrawn?• How Does Relationship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.