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

Looking to het a music publishing deal? Multi #1 hit writers Clay Mills & Marty Dodson explain why pitching your "song" is the WRONG approach for aspiring songwriters and the truth about what you should be doing instead.
SongTown is real music pros teaching you to level-up your songwriting and build your connections in the music business. It's a no "guru" zone with top music songwriters giving you the real deal about songwriting and the business of music.
SongTown has helped 50,000+ songwriters, world-wide, level up their skills with personalized coaching from hit writers, publishers and producers! SongTown provides you with inspired community, coaching, and connections to reach your music goals!
Our aspiring songwriter and artist members have achieved #1 Billboard songs (Pop & Country), major sync placements (All Genres), Grammy/Emmy nominations and awards. Level up your music and GET HEARD at songtown.com/ 🔥
_____________________________________________________
► Learn Songwriting Here: songtown.com/
► Free Lessons: songtown.com/o...
_____________________________________________________
Follow us:
►SongTown On Songwriting Podcast: songtown.com/o....
►Facebook: / songtownusa
►Instagram: / songtownusa
____________________________________________________
Songwriting Books:
►Mastering Melody Writing: amzn.to/3wC5ipE
►Song Building: Mastering Lyric Writing: amzn.to/36t3kMy
►The Songwriter’s Guide To Mastering Co-Writing: amzn.to/2Idev3R
_____________________________________________________

[@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.

[@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 🎼🎵🎶

[@allanburton9385]

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

[@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

[@TJEvideos1]

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

[@claymillsmusic]

You’re welcome!

[@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 :)

[@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

[@redcurrantrecords]

Thanks, great insights.

[@SongTownUSA]

Glad we could help. Thanks for listening!

[@pr3s3nc3worship]

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

[@SongTownUSA]

Good to have you in town! Cheers, CM

[@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! :)

[@JeffBostick222]

Wow! Great advice. Sounds like realistic advice.

[@claymillsmusic]

Thx Jeff!

[@j9cayres]

Great advice once again. Thanks C & M!

[@SongTownUSA]

you're welcome Janine!

[@ronnyskaar3737]

Years ago I got an offer on a song from the publisher of a quite large american rock band. I said "no way, I will record it myself". So I did, and it went nowhere 😂 It was only released in the small european country I live in though.

[@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

[@transformationgeneration]

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

[@listairgin]

I have 5 really good songs written, and I know they are great songs. When Marty mentioned he liked people with integrity I started to think how could I get in touch with this man to help me possibly get my songs published. I’m absolutely terrified of someone stealing them. I’m over 60 years old now and not great at computer stuff but I know a good song or lyrics when I hear one. How could I possibly get in touch with Marty Dobson or Clay Mills. Any other advice would be greatly appreciated. Thanks anyone for a reply 🌌🌅🌠🕊👍🏻

[@RobbieKaye]

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

[@SongTownUSA]

Our pleasure! Write on! CM

[@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

[@Biscaynedave]

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

[@robertlloydmusic]

This is a very interesting podcast.

[@SongTownUSA]

Thx for letting us know.🙏Write on! CM

[@larrymigliore]

Good advice guys!

[@SongTownUSA]

Appreciate ya letting us know it was helpful! CM

[@mjinsantafe]

Sage advice, gentleman.

[@SongTownUSA]

Appreciate ya watching! ~CM

[@chrisharper835]

Quick Question: I watch lots of your videos and hear you use the term "Tracks" a lot.... what exactly does this term mean professionally?

[@SongTownUSA]

Usually these days it means someone at a computer building most music bed themselves. Ofetn playing drums, bass, keys from a keyboard. The overdubbing guitars, etc. Building a track or music bed for the vocals to go one.

[@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.

[@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 have videos on both. 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.

[@rexchiquine6049]

Am I a squirrel in the park,,, 🐿️,,,

[@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

[@MrLpi]

Do all of their songs have 'you know?' in every, you know, third line?...you know😂

[@clayirwinmusic1962]

GREAT SONGS ON BANDCAMP BY CLAY IRWIN ] HAVE A LISTEN

[@gasparucciox9706]

intersting!