Songwriter:
After you get your first few cuts, and you want to take your songwriting to the next level, from a business standpoint. What advice would you give? What are common mistakes?
SRWJones:
Well, Songwriter, I just thought I’d post to let you know people are reading this. I just don’t know the answer. I kept re-visiting to see what other’s experience has been. I suspect there isn’t much you can do, but let your music speak for itself. I’m sure it helps to be able to introduce yourself in your cover letter with some level of success. Or should you mention your successes in your cover letter? Maybe that’s one of the mistakes people make that Songwriter was eluding to. Hmmm.
djman65+
if you want to make a career of your singing then you need to sit down with a record producer and let him know what you want to do and where and how far do you want to go. are you willing to go where he can send you thru his contacts mostly for meager pay if any at all,if you are you can be signed to a contract with a major record label or even an indie record company.i would recommend charlie melson of jordan records his producer and a&r;man is dobbie poynor and let him know what you want he is a greqt christian man and owns newgroundmusicgroup records you won;t be sorry i;m not buddy
SRWJones
Thanks for the info, and contact info, but I think songwriter was talking about writing, not singing. Still would like to hear others input on this one. What has your journey in successful songwriting been like? Mine has been long and made up of baby steps, but I’ve always felt I was heading in the right direction. Maybe others with some measure of success have found an easier path than I.
Chris Becker
Hey, Scott!Praise God! It’s awesome that you can title this thread: “How do you get to the next level after you’ve got your first few cuts?” When most of us on this board are asking “How do you get… your first few cuts? LOL!
Seriously, though, have you sent a demo to the Eddie Crook Company? They’re really good at placing their staff writers’ songs with the artists on their label.
Parttimer
Originally Posted by Songwriter View Post After you get your first few cuts, and you want to take your songwriting to the next level, from a business standpoint. What advice would you give? What are common mistakes?What do you consider “next level.” Its very hush-hush about how many units pro groups sale. This day and time, most writers I’ve talked to are payed from a few hundred units up to a few thousand. I don’t know of many writers who have ever made very much at all off mechanicals. (Mechanical fees are the 0.091 cents per song per unit sold.)
Most writers I’ve talked to have made more on radio play for singled songs that off units sold. Bottom line, groups just aren’t selling that much product. Most pro groups never get out of the thousands. A few get into the ten-thousand range. Gaither sells in the hundred-thousand range.
If you’re interested in being a blessing and having your music heard, then just keep pitching. You might make enough to cover the cost of your demo. If your looking at making money, start writing contemporary or country. You won’t find any SG writers who don’t have a day job.
Songwriter
I have to agree with what you’ve said strictly from a business/commercial standpoint. What I would like to know is how do you connect with successful songwriters and co-write. I know there is a good old boy system in the Nashville/Southern Gospel world and no offense to any other writers but I really don’t want to write with someone who isn’t serious about it.
I’m willing to write with people who write Southern Gospel, not 24/7 songs where you say 7 words 24 times and call that worship.
Sure I would love a little more financial reward from writing, but my next level is having a well traveled group cut a song I’ve written or co-written.
