How does a songwriter "sell" their songs?

Question

What's the process? Do you make a tape and send it to a Publisher? What if they don't take unsolicited material? I'm not a performer, I just want to write songs for others to record for themselves.

Answer 1

Well, people submit their demos to record companies, and if their material is good enough for the company, they'll get a record deal, and it all goes from there. Although it may depend on your sound. Mike Shinoda of Fort Minor and Linkin Park made a band a long time ago called "SuperXero". They soon shortened the name to "Xero". They submitted their 4 track demo to a record company, but they failed. Along with that, they made copies of their tapes and sold them, but they only sold a few copies, and Xero broke up. Mike Shinoda then reformed a band with Chester Bennington of Grey Daze, and eventually became Linkin Park and they became famous. So, I think it depends on the willpower to try to sell your demo. A person can try to get a few people to listen to their demos, and the listeners must be totally honest, do they like their sound or not? If so, I think from there a person can try to send a demo to a record company and maybe try selling some copies locally. If their sound is good, they may get a record deal and climb the stairway to fame! Sorry for my rather long answer, by the way.

Answer 2

Somehow you have to copyright your material then get it to a publisher or large recording company such as Arista or Columbia, bascially any place that has a lot of singers who don't write the majority of their own music and are always looking for songs. I don't think that this is probably a very easy task to accomplish. I think you would have the greatest chance at success if you lived near the record companies (Nashville, LA, New York City, etc..) so that you could be more persistant with getting your songs heard.

Answer 3

you need to find a publisher that is accepting unsolicited material OR you need to hire an attorney. you might be able to find an attorney that will work on a contingency fee. do not pay any website to market your songs for you (like this one: http://www.lacostamusic.com/songconnect.htm )

i wouldn't make a tape, i would provide your demos in whatever format the publisher wants them in. make your demos as best as you can but don't spend a bunch of money producing them in a professional studio. that's not something you'll get compensated for.

and be persistent. don't give up if you get a few or a lot of rejection. just keep at it.

Answer 4

first, a group makes a demo tape and sends it in to a recording company, the company reviews the tape and signs the band if they think the band will sell cds. when a band is signed, most of the money made from cds goes directly to the record company. most of the money that goes to the band is made off of tours and such.