Any songwriters out there...I'm an aspiring songwriter - am I trying to get !
Question: I don't want to sing any of my songs - I simply want to write songs for other artists. However, on the songs that I'm putting on my demo I will be singing some of them. So if I just want to become a pure songwriter am I trying to get a publishing or record deal. Is it true that it's better to just get a record deal cos they both do the same thing but publishing deals require 50/50 of the profits?
Is it a good idea to try and get a deal or should I get as many of my songs assessed as soon as possible?
Shall I also enter songwriting competitions - do they help at all or are they a waste of time?
Please can you suggest what I can do to further this aspiration. Is it hard to get a publishing deal? What kind of things do I have to do to achieve that?
Answers: I don't want to sing any of my songs - I simply want to write songs for other artists. However, on the songs that I'm putting on my demo I will be singing some of them. So if I just want to become a pure songwriter am I trying to get a publishing or record deal. Is it true that it's better to just get a record deal cos they both do the same thing but publishing deals require 50/50 of the profits?
Is it a good idea to try and get a deal or should I get as many of my songs assessed as soon as possible?
Shall I also enter songwriting competitions - do they help at all or are they a waste of time?
Please can you suggest what I can do to further this aspiration. Is it hard to get a publishing deal? What kind of things do I have to do to achieve that?
Well, you could write songs for other Artists. You would have to go in together on copyrighting the songs like 50/50 split on royalties.
www.copyright.gov
since you want to write songs for someone else....you would need the PA ( Performing Arts) from from this copyright site.
If you porduce your own songs...you would need the SR ( Sound Recording) form. Since I produce, write and sing on all my songs. I'm using the SR form to copyright my songs because of my situation. IF I were writing songs for or/ With someone else. I would need to use the PA From because it is a joint effort producing a song together like a Partnership is. Make sure you read the instructions VERY carefully on the www.copyright.gov because you want sure you do it right.
To process your Copyright application. They do require a standard processing fee of $45 plus your written Copyright application, your demo cd with all your songs on it.
You would also have to set your own Publishing Co in your name with a DBA ( Doing Business As) to protect your half of your Song Credits and collect your royalties from your songs too. This is mandatory porcedure or you DONT get paid your proper royalties.
You can go here for more detailed info on becoming a Pro Songwriter. These are the 2 top Songwriter Organizations to hook up with in terms of strictly only writing songs for other Artists/Bands. You would have to register with them a Songwriter and Publisher. These guys will make sure you get your royalties and will look out for your intesrests. Make sure you read their rules/regulations very carefully and ask them lots of more detailed questions of what you want to do here.
www.ascap.com
www.bmi.com
Good luck