So you’re wondering what to do with the song you’ve recently written. You know it’s good, better than most you hear on the radio, but how do you get it from point A to point B? That is, how do you get that song you’ve written into the hands of someone who can “do something with it?”
If you want to throw your hat in the ring, this article will detail how to throw it a lot closer to the mark, both with submitting it to publishers and with actually getting it into the hands of someone who can “do something with it.” First, though, let’s look at some attitudes you should have towards any submissions you have made, in general.
attitudes you should have toward song submitting
- Don’t be afraid.You aren’t afraid to write a song or record an album or sing a song. Some people are afraid to even throw their money away, but I can assure you that you aren’t the only person who will lose money by doing so. Would you have standing to ask for money if you wouldn’t have known you were throwing money away? This also applies to cover songs, which are another way to cut back on your costs. If you aren’t willing to lose money, you may not be ready to start yet.
- Try to do something with your song.You’ve heard the old saying if you throw enough small tasks at a person they won’t notice the task. Note that often times that’s not true. What’s often true is that if you commit to doing something with your song, somehow it will get done. So again, don’t be afraid. throw too many small tasks at a person and they won’t notice.
- Make sure you have a intent in mind.So many writers wonder why publishers don’t contact them. It’s in the eye of the beholder and the NY Times bestselling book on procrastination, The winners are…You’ve absolutely got to have a good sense of who and what you want out of the song, because only then will you know where to start. So, answer a simple question: what are you aiming for? Is it money? Open mics? Concerts? Karaoke songs?——Nobody cares about your choices, really. You’re just irrelevant.
- Write every day.It used to be relegated to after your show. But now that people expect to hear your songs on the radio or on the computer, nobody will ever listen to your songs unless you write them. So every day you write something new. You’ll be surprised at how the idea will just come to you.
- Get feedback from trusted people.If you know anybody in the music business, or know anybody who knows people, email them today. Tell them you’re launching something soon, or put it up on your web site. They can give you some valuable feedback. And you never know, you may be the next big hit!
- Make sure you have your press kit ready.Be sure to put your press kit away and save it so you can review it easily later. Have it on hand to give to people.
- Work with an agent.This is a very bad idea. Let an agent handle the booking aspect of your band. They will charge a percentage of your gigs (I’ve found it happens even after you have just signed a deal with a booking agent). But many times that percentage is much less than the face value of the booking agent’s fee. And booking agents are connected to people in the music business. “The Fannies” never let agents with any real experience handle booking gigs for them. Work with an agent.
“Trader Joe’s” is a booking agency with no real credibility. “V.J. Talent” is a booking agency with an shaky reputation. Hiring out of a front-runner agency may not be the best choice. Use a “big” agency, with a big reputation, and work with that.
Some of your best gigs are outside of your range, as in:
- Little kids (ages 5-12) who want to sing all day long at birthday parties etc.
- Members of special groups such as choirs or orchestras
- improbable places like the tops of warehouses
- Whereof bars or clubs are located
- Schools
- Where violins are played
- construction companies in Sacramento
- Major musical concert dates in major cities
- However, if you can broaden your range, do it!
The bottom line is if you want a gig as a soloist, then yes, you will need a booking agent. If on the other and you don’t have an agent, then yes, you will need a manager. Both are good.