Why Pitching "Songs" To Publishers Doesn't Work For Songwriters: Do This Instead!

[@SongTownUSA]

We Critiqued 2,000 People's Songs (Here's What We Learned): kzbin.info/www/bejne/hHy9hqmJrt16gaM

[@allanburton9385]

You guys are exactly right. When I first came to Nashville I met with a publisher introduced to me by a friend. He was gracious enough to listen to about a dozen songs. Each time I thought “this is the one that will blow him away!” Well, none of them did. He told me that none of my songs were pitchable. But, he heard good songwriting potential that needed developing. He set up cowrites with his writers. We ended up working together for several years and he is still a good friend. Like you say, he saw the bigger pitcher of who I was, even though he wasn’t interested in any of my songs.

[@SongTownUSA]

Yes!

[@Ces911]

write a song about the bigger pitcher!! 😄

[@anonymike8280]

A bigger pitcher? You must mean, a 7'8" closer with a 134 mph fastball. I can hear it in my head right now. The Legend of Johnny Smoke. Wait, it's coming into focus even as I speak. Johnny can't stand the lights, the crowds, the travel or even the money. He closes out the big game, then walks off the field never to be seen again. He goes back to the hills, his childhood sweetheart and his first love, working on old pickup trucks.

[@allanburton9385]

No, I’m an attorney. Songwriting was a much loved hobby.

[@richfyhr2279]

I don’t know anyone I appreciate listening to more when it comes to the reality of the music journey. Thank you both.

[@claymillsmusic]

Thanks!

[@bumblbesss]

Just like movie actors in Hollywood everyone wants to be a star until you get a harsh wake-up call about just how many people are there. I imagine Being a Publisher is the same, you Just don't realize how many people want to have a song Published. Just like George Jones Said "But just a few are chosen To tear your heart out when they sing" or in this case write. Great job Song Town as usual 🎼🎵🎶

[@basscase78]

Excellent segment. I love that perspective shift of songwriters aren’t just pitching songs, but they are really pitching themselves.!!! That is so true because Nashville is all about the relationship relationships

[@angusbrown2712]

Aa I’m the First Viewer , so glad to hear this great Advice. ,

[@claymillsmusic]

Yep just posted. thx Angus!

[@bottomfeeder1307]

They want a great songwriter? How would they know that by a songwriter selling themselves by the words coming out of their mouth which may or may not be true? I know a lot of good salespeople, but they lack creativity for sure. A songwriters songs should be the deciding factor, not their sales pitch. Unless music producers don't really want great songwriters... Maybe they just want faces that think they can write.. In my opinion, quality of songs has been on a sharp decline over the last few decades.. For example, one of my favorite songwriter's from the 80's is Diane Warren. As great as she was back then, she is nowhere near the songwriter she was. It's almost as if she woke up one morning and completely lost her gift, or perhaps the music industry has a leash around her neck. I prefer to believe the latter.

[@SongTownUSA]

Yes, the idea is to be a great writer who consistently writes great SONGS. Not be a great salesman. A publisher doesn't want to invest their time and money into one great song. Or a B.S.'er . But, they will invest in a great writer who not only writes great songs, but can play well with others and is willing to work hard to keep turning in great tunes. The total package.

[@bottomfeeder1307]

@@SongTownUSA What if the songwriter doesn't need or want to be invested in? Seems that the industry wants to simply "hire" full-time session writers that can co-write with others. Why can't the songwriter only get paid a royalty on what the song can eventually produce? What if there's a great song writer that's already retired and collects a pension and social security that only writes songs in their spare time. What then?

[@SongTownUSA]

@@bottomfeeder1307 That's awesome. We have lots of SongTown members that write for the pure joy and don't need to have a staff writer job. There are other paths. This video was about one type of road. Lots of room these days to create and get your music out into the world. We'll talk about this in a future podcast episode. Write on! Clay

[@theredheadedsinger]

This is such great perspective. One good song doesn't make you a good songwriter. Can you consistently deliver and inspire the rest of the room as well. Absolutely love your honest approach to the business.

[@SongTownUSA]

Thx!

[@claymillsmusic]

We tell it like we live it :)

[@TJEvideos1]

Very cool. Great info and insight. Always learn something new. Thanks boys!!

[@claymillsmusic]

You’re welcome!

[@RobbieKaye]

This great advice was so timely. Thank you Clay and Marty!!

[@SongTownUSA]

Our pleasure! Write on! CM

[@JeffBostick222]

Wow! Great advice. Sounds like realistic advice.

[@claymillsmusic]

Thx Jeff!

[@UNREDACTEDTRUTH]

Ok, I literally 'tripped' on this youtube- but I couldn't stop listening. Do you guys know Jesus? Honest question! The way your humility shines through is just SO incredibly REFRESHING!! Thank you & God bless you both!

[@SongTownUSA]

Glad you found us & yes! :)

[@transformationgeneration]

This was very enlightening. You guys sound really down to earth. Thanks for the tips.

[@OrcasBlade]

Subscribed - I really appreciate this insight, excited to learn from you both more!

[@SongTownUSA]

Good to have you in town! Cheers, CM

[@j9cayres]

Great advice once again. Thanks C & M!

[@SongTownUSA]

you're welcome Janine!

[@redcurrantrecords]

Thanks, great insights.

[@SongTownUSA]

Glad we could help. Thanks for listening!

[@benjamingilmore825]

Any tips on pitching/sending songs directly to up and coming artists? Also how does one get the opportunity to meet with a publisher in the first place? Thanks so much for this video!

[@SongTownUSA]

Songtown hooks up our members with top publishers in our edge groups. First your songs need to be at a high level. We can help with that and when you’re ready we can get you into our edge program. Google SongTown Edge to learn more

[@larrymigliore]

Good advice guys!

[@SongTownUSA]

Appreciate ya letting us know it was helpful! CM

[@Biscaynedave]

Thanks for the info, I live in LA so i should feel blessed, maybe i can find out where the producers hang out,

[@mjinsantafe]

Sage advice, gentleman.

[@SongTownUSA]

Appreciate ya watching! ~CM

[@britneywinland6721]

Great video ! My problem is I have to analyze everything to death . So I have to learn everything !!! Producing , singing , playing , photography , and writing ✍️ I’m ok at all but I’m finding out that writing melodies and lyrics is what I love to do 😊 thanks this helped guys 😊

[@SongTownUSA]

Glad it helped! ~CM

[@EricJohnson-fh8zj]

Whats the best advice for a songwriter, who doesnt nessecarily have a great sounding singing voice themselves? My voice just doesnt translate well on record. I write catchy lyrics and melody pretty good, and i can "hear" a lot of stuff in my head that i just cant pull off on the track. I can produce and record a bit (good enough for demo's), and i know i tend to thrive in collaboration from my younger days making music...but i dont have much of a social life (lol) and dont know any good singers myself.

[@SongTownUSA]

Hey Eric, I know hall of fame writers that don’t sing much so it’s not a big deal. Collaboration would be key. Most of our SongTown members. Write over zoom these days as well as in person. I would check out or member site where you can start socializing without having to leave home. It’s a great supportive community and we can also help you get your songs heard when they are ready. Write on! Clay www.songtown.com

[@davidkellymitchell4747]

I give them one song and tell them if they get that one in Billboard's top 40 I'll sign over 2 songs the next time and see how that goes. Plus if the publisher has never had a song get in Billboard's Top 40 you're wasting songs with them because most are song hoarders and sit on them. I've outright sold some songs for 5,000 dollars each and they have both writers and publishers rights. I'll do that before I'll let them sit on 30 songs that I can't do anything with anymore.

[@rexchiquine6049]

Am I a squirrel in the park,,, 🐿️,,,

[@kevinsysyn4487]

This doesn't help. It's how not to video... not a how to video. How do I reach a publisher I can pitch myself to?

[@SongTownUSA]

Hi, Both are important. We connect writers with publishers all the time at SongTown.com when the writer has songs that are ready.

[@CraigAnderson-h2h]

What publishers, where are any that are for real and still open to unsolicitied submissions. I hope you're not talking about the latest middlemen, the licensing cos. that have popped up all over the place? If you've not some names I'd like to hear them because I have licensing contracts and you never know what they folks are doing, if anything, to place your songs.

[@SongTownUSA]

Ever hear the phrase.. “if you think it’s impossible, it is”? I know that chasing a dream can often be extremely frustrating. I’ve been there! But I also write with writers all the time that are signing their very first publishing deal. And even within our SongTown community, I have seen our members go from no deal to writing the number one pop song in the world… Number one country songs… Etc. They did not think it was impossible. They thought it was possible, worked hard, and reached their goals. Write on! CM

[@CraigAnderson-h2h]

@@SongTownUSA I agree. I am an old hand around since I walked up and down publishers row and knocked on doors. That landed me a contract with a serious publisher. But I was young and stupid, inexperienced, and decided to move on to writing long form nonfiction articles and books. Now, I want to go around Full Circle...but of course everything's changed.

[@alejandrojerezrico3007]

From his words in minute 5 , I guess this guy will never sign a contract with Axl Rose or Eminem 😮😮. The goal should be detect an artist whose music makes you feel something big and different from others, IMHO

[@SongTownUSA]

Absolutely! Great point. This particular section was dealing with someone looking for a publishing deal that is a writer only. And not an artist. Apples and oranges :) -CM

[@alejandrojerezrico3007]

​@@SongTownUSA ok, now I get it

[@gasparucciox9706]

intersting!