What you should know
WHY A SMALL
PUBLISHER VS A LARGE PUBLISHER
There are big
differences between the services of a large and small music publisher.
Because the larger publishers (e.g., EMI, PolyGram, Sony, Warner) are
also affiliated with large record labels, they are often privy to
up-and-coming album projects and can get your songs to big-name
producers and A & R representatives for consideration. However, smaller
publishers, are often much more vigilant about getting songwriters’
music placed.
Generally, the
smaller publishing company is going to work a lot harder because their
catalog isn’t as large. A larger publisher has a lot more songwriters
and those songwriters usually will push their own material and get it
placed.
Another benefit of
a smaller publisher is their willingness to work with and develop
songwriters who have never written professionally. This was the case
with singer/songwriter D’Angelo. When he signed with a small publishing
company, he had neither a recording contract nor had he written
professionally. His publishing company shopped his music around and was
able to secure a song on the Jason’s Lyric soundtrack. After that,
people were interested in him as a songwriter and an artist. His
publishing connection opened the door for him.
The job of a
publisher is to go out and pursue opportunities, not only on records,
but TV, film and advertising. Many songwriters don’t have the time and
energy to develop relationships with every record label. That is why
smaller publishers will give your songs more attention and more
exposure.
HOW ARE MY
SONGS PROTECTED
Copyright
protection is extended to your songs (or lyrics) the instant
they are put down in fixed form (for example, written down on
paper and/or recorded on Tape, CD or Digital Medium). This protection
lasts for your lifetime (or the lifetime of the last surviving author,
if you co-wrote the song) plus 70 years.
When you prepare
demos, (or lyric sheets, in the case of lyrics only) place “notification
of copyright” on all copies of your song or lyrics. This includes
lyric sheets, music lead sheets, CD and cassette labels. The copy right
notice is a small c with a circle around it
ã
followed by the year 2004, and your name (Example:
ã
2004 YOUR NAME)
Your
song is protected under the copyright laws immediately upon its fixation
in tangible form (for example, written down on paper and/or
recorded on Tape, CD, or Digital Medium). Formal
registration in
Washington D.C. provides additional evidence of your claim and
makes available to you certain other legal procedural advantages if you
sue someone for copying (infringing) your work.
(REMEMBER,
your copyright is your proof that you own your song. If you sign over
100% copyright to a publisher or record company, they now legally
own your song. They will receive all performance royalties for that
copyright and song.)
To download copyright forms
for your published and unpublished material click
here.
DEMO
PRESENTATION TIPS
 Part of the whole
presentation relies on the packaging of the song(s). The following is a
list of tips that shows how to present your material to a music
publisher. Neatness counts.
The lyric sheet
that accompanies a tape or CD and there must be one should be neatly
typed and in a for that distinguishes the verses from the chorus and
the bride. Sometimes,
double spacing will help to make it more easy to read depending on
length.
Always cue your
tape up to the first song. Nothing is more frustrating than listening
to dead air. There are publishers who will shut it off if there’s no
song in the first five seconds of tape. Keep the space between the
songs, if there are more than one, to a minimum for the same reason.
Erase any
extraneous noises from the tape. That includes count downs, studio
chatter, verbal intros, and explanations of the song.
The vocals must
be upfront. This is another reason for the lyric sheet. Too many times
songs are mixed with the music drowning out the singer. There’s
nothing worse than straining to hear words. It’s a definite turnoff
and could kill an otherwise good song. The publisher will probably
listen on small, cheap speakers in his/her office. Most times, they
are not listening in a studio with huge Jensens or Altecs. Mix down to
small speakers.
Label your
cassette or CD clearly with anything that will help the publisher find
you if they want to sign the song. Always have the title(s), writer’s
name, phone #, and address somewhere on it. User a copyright symbol,
even if the songs aren’t.
Unless specifically requested, it is never good form to send more than
three songs to any one solicitation. And, if the publisher requests
one and only one song, that’s all you should send. Just make it the
best you’ve got. It’s going to be your only chance to impress, don’t
throw it away on a filler type song
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