On any given day, all over the world, courageous and dedicated songwriters looking for publishing deals pound the pavement after setting up meetings with representatives of publishing companies for tips on how to properly pitch your songs to publishers.
Actual music publishers are very busy people and many have merely 1 to 4 people who actually run the company, so it's a blessing when appointments are not canceled and you can actually show your material.
The following scene is inevitable for almost every aspiring songwriter:
You enter a small office and introduce yourself as you nervously shake the company rep's hand. After handing your professional-looking package complete with a cover letter, bio, lyrics, and shrink-wrapped CD, the rep asks you a couple of questions or simply initiates friendly, casual conversation.
Then you both sit down and the rep places your song in a CD player (they don't waste any time, do they?) and listens intently until the first line is over and quickly skips to the next song. He or she hears the verse and chorus on this one, and shifts once again to your third and final song while taking a deep breath and letting out a sigh as if he or she simply wants to get it over with. Sure enough, the next song is cut short before the chorus.
The rep politely hands back your package and says, "Sorry, this is not what we're looking for." You're surprised because you've done so much research on their company and artists, and you were certain the songs would make a great impression.
This similar scene repeats itself a few more times and you start to get DISCOURAGED. This is a mistake! This should light a fire in your caboose and you must realize this is the time to figure out if your songs really aren't what they're looking for, or if the songs simply aren't good enough, YET! Check out this article to help properly assess your situation:
http://songwriteradvisor.com/blog/2008/07/11/honesty-great-learning-policy/
Rejection is one of the worst feelings known to human beings. We all crave being accepted, and, when we're consistently rejected, it's easy to doubt ourselves, experience low self-esteem, and even depression.
But this is a tough business! Quit eating that Ben & Jerry's Chunky Monkey ice cream every night while you watch the news! This is no time to feel sorry for yourself! You've gotta' stay strong and understand the following:
1. Your songs really may not be what the publisher is looking for at the moment. Publishers have different tastes and this is usually what makes their respective companies successful. If your songs are good, you have to keep pushing--someone out there is waiting for you to show them your songs--because they need you as much as you need them, and your songs are exactly what they're looking for!
2. Even when they show some interest, many smart publishing reps try not to seem overly excited about songs they hear for two reasons;
They don't want to show absolute joy in your presence and they want to hear the song(s) a few times to make sure your song(s) are the real deal (not in your presence), and because it's bad business to give songwriters the upper hand in contract negotiations by telling you right off the bat that your song(s) are the best they've heard since "Stairway To Heaven!" Either way, you will know a publisher is interested in you if they simply want to at least remain in contact with you.
3. One of the best ways to improve your songwriting is to take criticism and rejection, honestly assess your songs, and go back to the drawing board for however long it takes. The songwriting world is full of successful songwriters who were initially turned down by many companies. Keep working hard while knowing someone in this business has a place for you, and, worst case scenario, you can always prepare yourself to take on the venture of promoting and releasing your own music yourself as many successful independent artists are presently doing!
