FAQ

Both independent and major labels offer career development and artist promotion. Determining which is right for your career is a personal decision.

Hopefully you are signed up with a performing rights organization like BMI (see Is a Performing Rights Organization the Same Thing as a Publisher?. PROs collect money from radio stations (and other businesses that use music) and distribute them as royalties to songwriters. You can only get paid from radio play if you are affiliated with a PRO.

In today’s competitive climate, major and indie labels are looking for something unique, talented and well developed. Record labels are in the business of making money from the artists that they sign. The labels want bands and artists that have built a following by touring and that have already sold self-released CDs. Be smart, do your homework!  Know what demographic your fans are in, and develop savvy marketing strategies that will help you stand out from the rest of the unsigned artists. Apply to play at a BMI showcase in your local area. Apply to showcase at one of the top music conferences, such as SXSW or CMJ. Attend seminars and other educational workshops where key A&R people will be in attendance and contact the local colleges, radio stations and newspapers to further publicize you. Build a unique and informative website that includes a bio, photos, song samples and tour dates.

We don’t shop deals for affiliates as a general practice, but if we hear something that is extraordinary, we certainly make our friends in the A&R community aware of the artist.

- J.W. Johnson, Artist Relations Executive & Songwriter101 Faculty Member

There is no set formula. It is up to you and your publisher to negotiate the terms of a publishing deal.

No, that’s part of the PRO’s function. If your songs are registered with a performing rights organization and you are receiving radio play, then the PRO will get that information automatically.

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Agents are all about finding gigs/shows for bands, but they can also help set up sponsorship opportunities for tours and help with logistics in general.

Copyright is an exclusive right granted by law that allows you to control the use of your creative works. The current copyright term is life plus 70 years after the death of the surviving writer or author of the work.

A cue sheet is a listing of the music used in a TV show or movie by title, composer, publisher, timing and type of usage (e.g., background, feature, theme) usually prepared by the producer of the program or film. Again, if your songs are registered, then the information will come automatically.