After the forward....

[ComposerLDG]

....what next? Wait a reasonable time and follow up with the library? Sit tight? Forget about it and continue submitting to others (which I do anyway)?

Inquiring minds want to know.

[eeoo]

Sit tight, if someone wants your cue they'll contact you. Write, submit, forget, repeat...

[TerrellBurt]

Yeah, sit tight. TAXI doesn't like when we contact the libraries after forwards.

Keep submitting a song until it's signed, that's my policy. And if a library comes around too late after a song is already signed just tell them that but also tell them that you can make another one that is similar to it. Those cases are win/win situations.

[Russell Landwehr]

EO and TB are exactly correct. One of the reasons the Libraries list with TAXI is to have TAXI be a buffer (and to weed out the stuff that doesn't fit). It's actually bad form to follow up with the library after a TAXI forward. If they want it they will contact you. But don't wait by the phone like a girl after her first date. Keep working the pipeline.

Russell

[stevebarden]

I was contacted by a library THREE YEARS after the track was forwarded to them! To their surprise my track was no longer available. What were they thinking??? The good news is that I was able to give them TWO new tracks in its place. And one of the tracks has been placed in a show.

Patience, grasshopper.

[hummingbird]

Graham, in every single case, I have been contacted via email by the library/publisher or (when applicable) my co-writer has. I do think it's important to use an email with TAXI that you will never change, for exactly the reason posted above - you could be contacted years later.

[melodymessiah]

the harsh and blunt truth to what's most likely to happen after a forward is....nothing

[hummingbird]

the harsh and blunt truth to what's most likely to happen after a forward is....nothing

There's no denying this. A forward is a confirmation that you have provided a broadcast quality track that fits the description of the listing. For some members, this is an important response to their efforts to produce effective instrumentals or songs for the commercial market. A forward is someone in the know saying, 'yes, this is good enough, and fits the need.'

But now the forwarded track is in competition with the other forwarded tracks, and those received from other sources as well. And that's where it gets tough because in the end it's down to the decision maker on the other side to pick what they like from the short listed tracks.

For me its a lot like going to an acting audition. You could offer a stellar set of talents but the guy next to you gets the gig because he's a bit taller & that means the costume will fit him.

H

[Russell Landwehr]

Hi guys,
All very good answers, but HOW do they contact you? Email, phone?

[I ask because I recently had notification of a FAX via email (which I've never had before)
but all indications were that it was 'dodgy' and I hope I was right to delete it.]

Cheers,
Graham (UK)

If anything in the message indicated inside information about your submission and that it was a contact because of a forward from TAXI, you were remiss to not follow up.

The companies that are listing through TAXI are vetted by TAXI and are some of the best in this industry.

Every listing company has a slightly different way of handling their business. Most contact will be through email. However, I would not disregard phone calls and faxes.

Russell

[DesireInspires]

No need to wait. Send a polite follow up email every three to six months. The key is to be persistent but not annoying. Ask what projects the library are working on and if they are open to new submissions. You want to be remembered for being an asset to the company. You never want to be forgotten or ignored.

Follow up and put in the work, my friend!