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THE RIP-OFFS
As in any business, the music industry has its share of dishonest, greedy people who try to unfairly exploit the talents and aspirations of others. Most of them use similar methods of attack that you can learn to identify and avoid. "Song sharks," as they're called, prey on beginners- those writers who are unfamiliar with ethical industry standards. Song sharks will take any songs-quality doesn't count. They're not concerned with future royalties, since they get their money upfront from songwriters who think they're getting a great deal.
Here are some guidelines to help you recognize these "song sharks": Never pay to have your music "reviewed" by a company that may be interested in publishing, producing or recording it. Reputable companies review material free of charge.
Never pay to have your songs published. A reputable company interested in your songs assumes the responsibility and cost of promoting them, in hopes of realizing a profit once the songs are recorded and released.
Avoid paying a fee to have a publisher make a demo of your songs. Some publishers may take demo expenses out of your future royalties, but you should reconsider paying upfront for demo costs for a song that is signed to a publisher.
No record company should ask you to make or pay for a demo. Their job is to make records and decide which artists to sign after listening to demo submissions.
Never pay to have your lyrics or poems set to music. "Music mills"-for a price- may use the same melody for hundreds of lyrics and poems, whether it sounds good or not. Publishers recognize one of these melodies as soon as they hear it.
Avoid CD compilation deals where a record company asks you to pay a fee to be included on a CD to be sent to radio stations, producers, etc. It's primarily a moneymaker for the company involved, and radio station programmers and other industry professionals just don't listen to these things to find new artists.
Read all contracts carefully before signing and don't sign any contract you're unsure about or that you don't fully understand. It is well worth paying an attorney for the time it takes him to review a contract if you can avoid a bad situation that may cost you thousands of dollars in potential income.
Do not pay a company to pair you with a collaborator. A better way is to contact songwriting organizations that offer collaboration services to their members.
Do not sell your songs outright. It's unethical for anyone to offer such a proposition.
If you are asked by a record company or other music-industry company to pay
Expenses up front, Be careful. A record producer may charge upfront to produce your record, or a small indie label may ask you to pay recording costs. Each situation is different, and it's up to you to decide whether or not it will be beneficial. Talk to other artists who have signed similar contracts before signing one yourself. Research the company and its track record by finding out what types of product they have released, and what kind of distribution they have. Visit their website on the Internet, if they have one. Beware of any company that won't let you know what it has done in the past. If it has had successes and good working relationships with other writers and artists, it should be happy to brag about them.
Before participating in a songwriting contest read the rules carefully. Be sure that what you're giving up in the way of entry fees, etc., is not greater than what you stand to gain by winning the contest
Verify any situation about an individual or company if you have my doubts at all
Publishers That Charge
Fullpride feels if a publisher truly believes in you and your music, they will invest in a professional demo. There are smaller publishing companies with demo services as part of their organization. They may request a professional demo and give you the option of using their services or those of an outside company. This doesn't necessarily mean the publishing company is ripping you off. Use your best judgment and know there are many other publishing companies that will not charge for this service.
Publishers That Charge
If a publisher truly believes in you and your music, they will invest in a professional demo. There are smaller publishing companies with demo services as part of their organization. They may request a professional demo and give you the option of using their services or those of an outside company. This doesn't necessarily mean the publishing company is ripping you off. Use your best judgment and know there are many other publishing companies that will not charge for this service.
RECORD KEEPING As your songwriting career continues to grow; you should keep a ledger or notebook containing all financial transactions relating to your songwriting. It should include a list of income from royalty checks as well as expenses incurred as a result of your songwriting business: cost of tapes, demo sessions, office supplies, postage, traveling expenses, dues to organizations, class and workshop fees and any publications you purchase pertaining to songwriting. It's also advisable to open a checking account exclusively for your songwriting activities, not only to make record keeping easier, but also to establish your identity as a business for tax purposes.
Any royalties you receive will not reflect taxes or any other mandatory deductions. It is your responsibility to keep track of income and file the appropriate tax forms. Contact the IRS or an accountant who serves music industry clients for specific information.
INTERNATIONAL MARKETS everyone talks about the world getting smaller, and it's true. Modern communication techno-ogy has brought us to the point at which information can be transmitted around the globe instantly. No business has enjoyed the fruits of this progress more than the music industry. American music is heard in virtually every country in the world, and having a hit song in other countries as well as in the United States can greatly increase a songwriter's royalty earnings.
While these listings may be a bit more challenging to deal with than domestic companies, they offer additional avenues for songwriters looking for places to place their songs. To find international listings, see the Geographical Index at the back of the book. You might also flip through the pages and look for listings preceded by N, which indicates an international market.
I you find a Problem in making a deal, contact the Better Business Bureau in the town where it is located or the state's attorney general's office. Contact professional organizations you're a member of and inquire about the reputation of the company. |
