"Haven't worked w/ libraries-don't submit" (absolute?)

[irthlingz]

Looking at a listing (S201203SS) that says:

This company offers an Exclusive deal, and is only interested in signing material from composers who have worked for libraries and licensing companies in the past and understand how standard deals work. If you don't have that experience and you don't know the drill on typical deals, then they politely ask that you don't submit to this request.

Should I take "worked for libraries and licensing companies in the past " as an absolute?

I don't have a forward yet, much less a deal. But ...

I've been reading the forums since I joined around six months ago, tuned in to most of Road Rally, and I think I have a decent idea how standard deals work. I would not try to negotiate, maybe ask a few questions to make sure I do understand the specifics. The only reason I know of that I would probably turn down a deal is if they want part of the writer's share, but that's not a problem here; the listing specifically says the writer gets 100% of the writer's share. In other words, I really don't think I'd create any problems. So, should I still honor their request, or go ahead knowing that what they really want is a problem-free deal, and they will get that with me? Thank you!

[hummingbird]

Well, given that we want to put our best foot forward, I wouldn't submit if you don't have any credits. It's a small world and the last thing you want is to present yourself as something you are not.

The two RR sessions
Don’t Get Screwed! How to Protect Yourself as an Independent Musician with Music Attorney Erin Jacobson
Don’t Make Rookie Mistakes That Can Hurt Your Career with Beth Wernick, Angela Mukul, and Bob Mair

might be helpful.

[irthlingz]

Thank you, Vikki!

[DesireInspires]

........

[DesireInspires]

I would submit. For sure.

What the library wants is for the composer to accept the deal as is. So submit your music. If you get accepted, do what they say and sign the deal.

You only learn from gaining experience. So do the deal and learn. Take a chance on yourself for goodness sake. Don’t be afraid to make a mistake. You fail, learn, and hopefully improve. That is how you go from novice to professional.

If you have any further questions, send me a PM. I have experience and can give you a few pointers. But you have to do the work.

[DesireInspires]

I would submit. For sure.

What the library wants is for the composer to accept the deal as is. So submit your music. If you get accepted, do what they say and sign the deal.

You only learn from gaining experience. So do the deal and learn. Take a chance on yourself for goodness sake. Don’t be afraid to make a mistake. You fail, learn, and hopefully improve. That is how you go from novice to professional.

If you have any further questions, send me a PM. I have experience and can give you a few pointers. But you have to do the work.

[Casey H]

Given that the listing is pretty clear as to what they want, I wouldn't submit. The words "If you don't have that experience" go beyond just having educated yourself.

You may want to contact Taxi and ask more about it, explaining that you act like a professional, understand library contracts, etc. (assuming it's true ). See what they say. But intentionally ignoring the stated requirements of a listing is never a good idea.

Good luck. And there'll be plenty of other listings!

Best
Casey

[admin]

It's not so much about accepting the deal or not, as it is about things like being signed to a CDBaby or tunecore deal and not knowing you can't sign that material again. Also things like not having work-for-hire agreements in place, delivering on time... it's mostly about knowing the drill, acting like a pro, and I'm sure that to some extent, it's about not doing stuff like saying, "What do you mean it's exclusive," or "Why do you get the publisher's share," or "If I change part of the lyric, can I submit it elsewhere?"

Library owners are getting tired of spending due diligence time prior to offering the deal, only to find out that the artist/songwriter/composer knows little about how the industry works and then drives them crazy during the signing process, and even crazier after they've signed. "It's been 90 days and I STILL haven't made any money?"


That's why TAXI spends so much time and effort on education!

ML

[dougs9000]

Thanks for clarifying! I was wondering the same thing. I can appreciate that no one wants to have their time wasted.