Pitch Your Demo Aggressively: Songwriter Advisor

Once your 3 song demo is finished you'll probably want to pitch your demo to an industry professional in order to place them on an artist's CD. This would be a good time to copyright your songs.

Before pitching your demo to a music publisher, recording artist, or any other industry professional you must carefully research who's looking for what and target those people. This will greatly increase the odds of getting your demo heard and your song(s) placed. You can do this on your own or enlist the help of the two best tip sheet subscription services: Please Bookmark This Site

Songlink - The leading creative resource for music publishers, songwriters, A&R, producers, artists and managers - anyone in the business of pitching or seeking songs

CueSheet - the confidential bulletin listing Film, TV and other media projects requiring soundtrack music, composers, songs, library music, cues or idents, etc. It is despatched twice a month (by e-mail only) to a selective subscriber base consisting of music publishers, record labels, music supervisors, composers, songwriters or their managers/agents. We have researchers based in London and Los Angeles who check out the music requirements of the latest productions, which we list in as much detail as possible, along with director/producer credits, cast, plot, synopsis if provided, etc.

To pitch your demo follow these easy steps:

1. Be absolutely sure your demo contains your 3 best songs, and that it sounds completely professional. Keep copies of the master recordings in a safe place.

Some publishers and other industry people will accept and listen to just a piano/vocal or guitar/vocal on a demo as long as the recordings are clean, the pianos or guitars are in tune, and the vocals are on pitch.

2. Create a simple, appropriate CD demo package, and label everything with your contact information.

These days with so much affordable software and technology out there you need to use what people in the industry are used to seeing in demo packages.

(a) Prepare a CD package

You must label everything on your demo with your name, address and/or e-mail address, and phone number, and copyright information

My first choice would be to press 100 shrinkwrapped CD's with great-looking labeling. This is by far the most expensive option for a demo.

My only other choice (and the cheapest) would be to use what's called Lightscribe technology, a software based setup that allows your computer to print labels and images onto a regular CD-R. This looks very professional and will make your demo stand out above people who tape labels on CD's.

The Lightscribe setup, which includes purchasing a special CD-Rom unit, costs approx. $75.00-$100.00 but it pays for itself quickly because you can print only as many CD's as you need for any specific demo pitch.

(b) Create a professional-looking folder or binder for your demo with the following:

Page 1 - Your demo should have a "cover letter" describing the songs and indicating what kind of deal you're looking for specifically

Page 2 - Your demo should contain a short bio

Pages 3, 4. 5 - Your demo should also have computer-typed lyrics of songs in order as they appear on the CD

Remember to include your contact info at the bottom of all 5 pages of your demo!

3. Try to set up meetings face-to-face with a music publisher or other industry person by calling first. Your goal is to get them to listen to the demo in your presence.

The trick here is to walk a fine line between persistent and being a nuisance! You don't want to appear pushy but you also don't want to be a pushover.

If that does not work go to their office in person and try setting up a meeting. Do not just drop off your demo package unless you meet the head honcho and he or she asks for it! This is a business, and the object here is to set up a business meeting with someone who represents the company, not just drop off your demo through the mailbox chute. Also, be aware when you're pitching your demo that sometimes receptionists are many times held in high regard by the company and executive staff members have been known to hang out at the front desk and assume receptionist duties from time to time.

Finally as a last resort, send them a short e-mail expressing your desire to submit your demo to them, indicating the type of songs you write, and which artist you're hoping to pitch it to, if that is relevant. Include all of your contact info!!!

4. If you are mailing your demo, make sure you follow the submission guidelines for each company. Follow up a couple of weeks later, then politely follow up 2-3 more times if you haven't heard back from them. If you eventually do, then GREAT! It's not uncommon to place your songs with companies through the mail, but it takes a lot of work on both ends! You see, music publishers and other industry people receive hundreds upon hundreds of demos a month, so finding your demo is like finding a needle in a haystack.

So your demo needs to stand out! You do this by submitting great songs, a professional looking package, and by following up in person, through e-mails, or phone calls.

The following are some of the best helpful websites available and the ones used by many successful songwriters to pitch their demo. Check them out, they just might be what you need to get your songs out there.

<img src='https://www.fusionquest.com/cgi-bin/main/hotlinks.cgi?aflt=salpica5&client=galaris' width='1' height='1' border='0'>Galaris.com - considered the best music industry resource by many!

The Music Registry - also one the best music industry resources.

The Musician's Atlas - an awesome networking/contact directory with lots of extra tools to provide many industry opportunities. Amazing website!

Taxi - a highly successful membership club to pitch your songs to major industry people.