Indeed, Roger nailed it. You don't actually sell the song ( or at least you shouldn't ) .... you license the song and "sell" the rights. You retain the writer's share and collect the royalties.... if any.

I have several songs in movies and TV shows. None of them are "sold", they are signed to music libraries and publishers.

So... my suggestion on how to get started is to get educated first because there are a lot of scumbags in the business who will absolutely take advantage of you if you don't know any better. Start searching for music libraries and publishers that have a track record of placing songs into the hands of the people and companies you are trying to get your music too. Yes, you can do it yourself, but they already have the connections and will save you years of time.
Submit a few songs.... read what they are looking for and follow it exactly. If they say 2 songs max in MP3 320bps ..... don't send them 3 songs in 128bps Wait on them to reply. They will tell you if they want your music or not. If not, look elsewhere because there are a ton of companies out there placing music. Film and TV have high standards. The music has to be "broadcast ready" and professional in all aspects. They don't generally want something that sounds like a bedroom recording or unpolished demo. And it has to be of the genre they deal with or are asking for.

They will sign your music one of two ways. Exclusive or non-exclusive. Exclusive means no one.... not even you, can use it without their permission. Non-exclusive means you can place it with a bunch of publishers and libraries who will "re-title" it. At this point, you are out of the picture with the music unless it's N-E and then you can continue to place it with other companies. I have music that falls into one of both categories.

Google search the internet to find these libraries and publishers as they are all online these days and submitting music to them is also done on line vs sending them cassettes and CDs like the old days.

Doing this puts you into business, so treat it like one and act professional as well. Register, if you have not yet done so, as a writer, with one of the PROs and get your ID numbers as the publishers and libraries will be asking you for those numbers so they can assign the writers share to you and to assure that you get your royalty checks.

Writing for artists.... that's a different area and arguably, a more challenging goal to achieve. It really helps to be in the center of the action and have friends in the places you want to go. It is highly competitive and with limited cuts available on a new CD project by an artist it can be extremely difficult to get into the 10 to 12 slots available. Until you get a hit song under your belt, no one wants to talk to you.

But again..... write the songs, improve your skills, learn more and continue to..... write, submit, repeat....write, submit, repeat.....


and...... there's no guarantees. So, have fun and enjoy the process.

Last edited by Guitarhacker; 12/31/19 05:52 AM.
You can find my music at:
www.herbhartley.com
Add nothing that adds nothing to the music.
You can make excuses or you can make progress but not both.

The magic you are looking for is in the work you are avoiding.