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Mon. April 21, 2008 How to avoid a song shark
From: rjsongwriter on Today at 11:45 AM return to inbox How to Avoid a Song Shark

1. Do not sell your song outright.

2. Never pay any sort of submission fees, review fees, service fees, filing fees, etc...

3. Never pay to have your song pulished.

4. Do not pay a company to pair you with a collaborater.

5. Never pay to have your lyric or poem set to music.

6. Avoid "pay to play" CD compilation deals.

7. Avoid songpluggers who offer to shop your song for an upfront fee or retainer.

8. Avoid paying upfront to have a publisher make a demo of your song.

9. No record company should ask you to pay them or an assosiated company to make a demo.

10. Before entering any songwriting contest, read the rules carefully.

11. Verify any situation about an individual or company if you have any doubts at all ( Contact the companies Performing Rights Society - ASCAP, BMI, SESAC, SOCAN, the better business bureau in the company's town, or contact the state attorney's office.)

12. If a record company company or other company asks you to pay expenses up front, be CAREFUL.

* The one thing that was drilled into my head over and over while attending music business classes in college is "if they ask for money upfront," walk away. There are possible exceptions, as in the case of a record producer, who commonly charges for his services, and maybe others I don't know about, but rest assured that if a publishing company asks you for money, they are more than likely not legitimate.

*footnote by rjsongwriter

*12 rules to help you avoid songsharks taken from the 2007 Songwriter's Market/Writer's Digest Books: Jane Friedman copyright 2006

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