Notes for Songwriters and Songwriters’ Groups

1. The songwriting groups and associations listed below are an excellent way to learn and share information.

2. Area nightclubs and open mic nights are excellent for trying out your material before a live audience.

3. You may want to join one of the Texas Music Associations and Unions.

4. Familiarize yourself with our Copyrights, Trademarks and General Music Business Information, as well as music publishing.

5. Build up a "resume" of at least 40 original songs.

6. Make sure all songs are registered with the US Copyright Office.

7. If you own the SR part of your copyright and / or release records on your own label, register your recordings with Sound Exchange to help collect your royalties for non-interactive digital transmissions, including satellite and Internet radio.

8. Register with the Texas Music Office's Musician Listings so that you'll be eligible for referrals.

9. Create "promo pack" with: (1) song titles and years of copyright; (2) lyric sheets of three best lyrical songs; and (3) list of all song titles previously recorded by others, artist's name and album name. Include all co-writers and their publishing company names..

10. Update your contact list; pursue current contacts that are established recording artists so that they might cover your songs.

11. Make a top ten "wish list" of artists you would like to cover your songs and then contact their management (Texas Music Office has this information). Be realistic about whether your song would fit into their repertoire.

12. Broaden exposure to national audience through social media containing high quality video performances of your songs.

13. Make sure all of your songs are available through streaming and downloads. Companies like Tunecore, Reverbnation and CDBaby can help facilitate distribution to those digital stores for a fee.

14. Create awareness among your fans for music streaming sites that pay digital royalties to featured recording artists and sound recording copyright owners (usually a record label, unless you self-release your music) through Sound Exchange.

15. Reach out to film, television and video game music supervisors that accept unsolicited material.

16. Make sure the music on your social media is the best you've got. Music supervisors often comb the internet to select fresh artists (that will not demand standard licensing fees) for televisions show soundtracks and other visual mediums.

Notes for Songwriters and Songwriters’ Groups

Songwriting Groups and Associations