I write love and inspirational songs.  How do I go about selling my songs to various record label companies?
455905
you need to produce a demo disc of no more than 3 songs,then along with a CV,a photo and a covering letter send it out to every company you can.Also send out the same package to local and national radio-stations.If you don't hear back don't worry send out another, then another and another etc.............................................\nCOPYRIGHT:Once you have put pen to paper the work you produce is covered by copyright but make sure that everything you do is signed,dated and accompanied by the c in a circle.Also keep a diary of when you completed work and dates you send work out and who too.
1077542
Try this:\nhttp://burnlounge.com/mlbliss\nScroll to the bottom of the page and watch the commercial and then click onto become a retailer.  It will list everything you need there.\nPurchase a store through this site and help new musicians get recognized through your store.  Good place to start and you can help new artists at the same time.\nNeed more info?  email me at tonja_myers@yahoo.com
727248
First off, find out who is head of A & R at the company. Check the Billboard directory. Then send it to them personally and package it distinctively. Use your imagination. Some companies will get hundreds of CDs to audition on a monthly basis and quite frankly they won't have time to listen to half of them. Same in sending your stuff to radio stations and reviewers.\n\nTry to make a name for yourself performing. Get some reviews. Participate in things like South by Southwest.\n\nThe best way to get anywhere is to audition for management and being able to demonstrate to them that you can make money for them. Most importantly...it is the personal contacts you make that will help you. Even if you think your local music reviewer is an idiot, don't let anyone know you think that way. Join organizations like NARAS, attend the receptions, mix with other members. Some will be extremely helpful to up and coming musicians, but they have to know you are there. \n\nAudition for gigs...sometimes you will have to play for free, but that is how it goes sometimes.\n\nAlways keep in mind that however much you see yourself as a musician and artist, a record company must, at some point, consider your earning potential. Also remember, that the larger the record label, the greater their expectation for earnings will be. Smaller labels are more likely to be interested in what you are trying to do. If you are only in it for the money, look for a bigger label.\n\nAlways consider what you might have to offer that is unique...what will make you marketable. An agent can help you develop an image, but until you reach that point, you need to think like you are your own agent and work on your marketing...and I am not taking T-shirts or posters...it is getting your name before the public in reviews...in the newspaper...on local radio...branding, etc.\n\nOf course you can start your own label...but then you probably won't get anyone to distribute your stuff!\n\nThe music business is really a relatively small world. Most of the survivors remember what it was like getting started and as they age, they are often interested in helping younger musicians along, assuming they aren't burnt out on things. Remember you can learn from them, and my guess is that many of them will tell you that these days it is more about business than it is about music.\n\nGood luck.
799227
Go To Floyds Record Shop.com They Have More Than 5 Record Labels That They Studio Record, Produce, Sell, And Promote Artists Starting Out. There Company Is Called Flat Town Records. In Ville Platte, La. They Pay As Much As $5.00 To The Artist For Each CD Sold
130257
Start in a church. Practice and strengthen your voice. When your ready write your own songs and record an album. Then submit your album to record companies.
408713
You just directly look for which music production company the artist's songs were sold in your country, is it IMG or Sony or BMG or other company?. Then find the company's name and contacts and then ask them how can you buy the copyright? There are a certain fee and taxes that you should pay for that.
176939
You have to promote your music. If you're playing gigs put all the money you can on a great album to sell at your shows. Form a relationship with your local radio stations. Some will play indie music. Get in touch with music publishers. Do anything you can to get heard. The major labels won't accept unsolicited material so don't waste your time. You can also try taxi.com. They're a huge company the big boys go to when they want fresh faces and material. Don't give up. Good luck.
494931
If you don't have a record label to do these things for you, a good bet would be to get a creative commons licence for works you would like to distribute to the public domain. More information on this can be found at creativecommons.org.\n\nCreative Commons licenses provide a flexible range of protections and freedoms for authors, artists, and educators. They have built upon the "all rights reserved" concept of traditional copyright to offer a voluntary "some rights reserved" approach.
425573
Record deals are not all they're cracked up to be. Generally speaking, the label fronts you a chunk of money when you're signed. Whan they don't tell you is that this money is out of *your* upcoming royalties that you haven't yet earned. And they find lots of ways to charge you money for things that are necessary to get your record out and promoted - and this comes  out of the money you haven't yet made.\n\nThis is why so many bands don't make it once they've been signed. Your best bet is to get out there and perform live in as many venues as you can. The venue gets a cut, but if you sell CDs, etc., then you pick up all the cash from that. It's possible that if you build up a local following, someone will eventually sign you. But you're better off staying independent, or looking for someone like Austin's Freedom Records (the label takes all of the profits till costs are recouped, then splits 50/50 with the artist. Contrast this to the usual 15% that the artist gets. Oh, and all the expenses that the label incurs? They come out of your 15%. Have a nice day!).\n\nAmerican Idol is the lottery. Your chances are a zillion to one. If you go out and work to build a following, and you stay independent as long as you can, you're more likely not to come out broke,
686483
Look into Natl. Musicians refferal, or through a local entertainment lawyer. Any artist management refferal. Look in the Yellow pages under Music, Musicians,..representation..etc.
229623
go to ascap.com do copywrite reasearch. do you want to record their song, or use their song AND the recording of it, two different things. thats the start of it. you have to know who owns what rights to what to begin. there are standard rates for some things. you must get permission for using their recording, AND pay them a fee.
808421
Although you can copyright via the net (or get the forms through sites like: http://www.copyright.gov/forms I believe it would be in your best interest to call the copyright office at: (202) 707-3000 and have Form “PA” (performing arts), sent directly to you. For years, some people have even believed that “mailing the song to yourself” is protection of some kind. This is NOT the case (nor has it ever been). You have stated the possibility that: “I believe that the act of just post your song here is proof of authership, but does it establish ownership and what of copyright.” This is not the case either. Who is to say that one didn’t steal the song and then “post” it before the original writer? \n\nYour best bet is to simply copyright the song in a legal fashion…therefore avoiding problems down the road. \n\nA “song” is an “asset” (just like a home or a vehicle), but it is referred to as an “intellectual asset”. Just as a “deed” is to a home or a “title” is to a car…the “copyright” establishes ownership to your “intellectual asset” (that being a song). There are no tricks nor ways around it. \n\nFurther, a “copyright” does not get you “money”, but merely establishes ownership. If and when your song is “published” and “sells”, you will receive money from the publisher (whether the publisher is you or some outside entity). \n\nIn the US, if you publish material that's not registered, you can be assessed a $500 (or is it $250) fine. I assume this would only come up if you tried to sue someone. \n\nIn the US, if you sue, you have to register to sue. If you don't register until after the violation, you aren't entitled to "statutory damages and attorneys' fees", only "actual damages".\n\nAll of the information you need can be found in ONE book (which is considered to be the “bible” of the recording industry. It is called: “This Business of Music” by Krasilovsky & Shemel and published by “Billboard Books”. You can find it here at: http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/search-handle-url/index%3Dstripbooks%26field-keywords%3Dthis%20business%20of%20music%26results-process%3Ddefault%26dispatch%3Dsearch/ref%3Dpd%5Fsl%5Faw%5Ftops-1%5Fstripbooks%5F4345336%5F2/102-1151058-1207346 or at any major bookstore. \n\nThis book includes “all” possible information regarding the record industry (contracts and all) in great detail. This book is not a: “how to” but rather a: “what is”. I seriously recommend this specific book. It may be a bit difficult to understand at first, but it DOES encompass “all”. \n\nI hope that answers some of your questions.
764138
I might be able to help. I have worked with some of the greats in the music industry and honestly, I'm not to happy with anything out there right now. If you would like to know whom I worked with, please reply with an email and I will include my website for your consideration.
1042383
Play as many shows as possible, get a following.  Labels want to sign someone who can sell CDs so make sure you have a crowd to sell them to.  Get your name out there with websites and merch.  Send one-sheets and press kits to labels that cater to your genre.
1134443
Hi...\nHere's a link that will walk you through the process of copyrighting your music. \n\nhttp://www.copyright.gov/register/sound.html\n\nIt's not that expensive, but if these are the first songs you have written you may want to consider whether you want to invest the money into copywriting them. Unless you have someone wanting to record them immediately, you may want to keep writing until you think you have finally written a "hit" record. I would suggest having someone from the industry review your music to see if you actually want to spend money right now.\n\nIf they tell you that the songs aren't ready, don't take it as a dis... buckle down and write more songs. It takes most songwriters many attempts to get to a point to where their music is on a professional level.\n\nHope that helps.\n\nKeep on rockin' in the free world....\nDoc
540
I'm a pro writer.  Nobody "buys" lyrics.  Your best bet is to find a collaborator who will write music to your lyrics.
454918
If you're willing to pay a little bit for it, DUCK SOUP at The Grove sells a record player that transfers to cd.  Depending on how many LP's you plan to transfer, that may be the way to go.\n\nNo idea on the legalities involved, alas.