by lashibes | Apr 2, 2020 | Business
In the U.S., Performing Rights Organizations, or PROs, like BMI, ASCAP and SESAC are entities that collect the royalties due to copyright holders (songwriters and/or publishers) and parties who use copyrighted works publicly in locations such as shopping and dining...
by lashibes | Mar 2, 2020 | Business
How to get started pitching songs is a question I often get from songwriters. It usually sounds something like this: “I have a demo and a lyric sheet for every song, but I don’t have any experience pitching songs. What is my next step?” Here are a few...
by lashibes | Nov 26, 2019 | Business
I know, it seems like a no-brainer to set songwriting goals as well as goals for your music career, but most of us rarely do it, and worse, if we do, we don’t write them down! According to some recent industry research: – 83% of the population does not...
by lashibes | May 18, 2019 | Business
Streaming is all the rage. And likely the future of music distribution. But with streaming services paying from $0.0001 to $0.0004 per stream on a good day, how do you make money? Some simple math: 10,000 streams a month equates to $1.00 to $4.00 for your song plays...
by lashibes | May 18, 2019 | Business
Janis Ian dropped an example of her mechanical royalties statement on FB, which gives you a great idea of what streaming pays out for your songs on their service. Keep in mind, the music modernization act will increase rates on average 44% (which is a great start)...
by lashibes | May 13, 2019 | Business
Song pitching, or writing songs you pitch to others to sing, is tough. Unlike singer-songwriters who can make sure their songs are heard by getting gigs or creating music, your prospect pool is much smaller. And, you have to write something that connects with the...
by lashibes | Apr 8, 2019 | Business
Texas musicians, performers and singer-songwriters have some home state support. If you were born in or reside in Texas, you’re fortunate. The state has realized that because the music industry accounts for about $9.6 billion in economic activity for the state...
by lashibes | Jan 14, 2019 | Business, Member Library
Is there really an easy guide to goal setting? Yep. And getting them done? Yep. At the beginning of the year you see so much opportunity. You have a dream, but can’t really see the steps to getting there. You need a plan! But things like defining your goals,...
by lashibes | Jan 14, 2019 | Business, Member Library
You’re probably here because you read Easy Guide To Goal Setting and want to see the full goals plan created for Grammy aspiring songwriter Hitson G.W. Riter. He used a few things to get this done: Know Your Strengths To Create Goals Easy Guide To Goal Setting...
by lashibes | Jul 4, 2017 | Business, Intermediate
It happens to every songwriter. The business of music. Your focus is on writing songs, not organizing your song files! Why bother? But, if you’ve lost lyrics or had the perfect melody on a recording that’s now gone missing, you know organizing your files...
by lashibes | Mar 14, 2017 | Business, Intermediate
If you’re writing for someone else to cut your songs and don’t perform live, you’ll need to know how to sell what you’re creating. Fortunately, targeting a product to a sales prospect is nothing new. Doing your research on your...
by lashibes | Mar 2, 2017 | Business, Intermediate
If you’re trying to make it in the new world order of independent music, this is the music business book for you. I’ve used Ari’s information before on SongChops and tweeted out his gig advice on several occasions, but there’s nothing better...
by lashibes | Mar 10, 2016 | Business
Your biggest first question when you’re considering a copyright is: “Do you need to spend the money?” Remember, as soon as you write the song, or, according to BMI, “fix” it in final form, it’s technically copyrighted. What...
by lashibes | Jul 3, 2015 | Business
The tips below should help you direct and get the best music tracks possible from any studio. If you record in Nashville, odds are you’ll have a producer available. While this person can help you, knowing what to be listening for, and how to talk to the...
by lashibes | Dec 19, 2014 | Business, Song Craft
Wondering what to get that special songwriter in your life? Or maybe you’re just starting out and are wondering what the minimum “have to have” items are? Well, here’s a quick list to get you started on your songwriting path! Depending on your...