How many licks does it take?

[dominic]

I have gotten another forward for a dance/techno version of the classical piece "pathetique".This makes 4 or 5 forwards for me so far but no contact or follow up after that.How many forwards did you guys have before you actually sold your first song?Im not quite discouraged yet, just curious.ThanksDominicwww.myspace.com/overthrowrecords

[mazz]

Hi Dominic,I had probably about 20 forwards over 3 years before I got the first call. I didn't submit a lot for the first couple of years but had a pretty high percentage of forwards.There's no rules or pattern to it at all. The only requirement at this point is patience!Hang in there,Mazz

[djdeweese]

Hey dominic-- I was just looking at my numbers since I joined in at the end of October 2006 -- I've had 21 forwards since then and no calls yet. I'm planning to keep at it with Taxi, but starting early next year I'm going to start seriously marketing outside Taxi too. With that many forwards, I think I must have some material that would get a deal somewhere, it is just a matter of finding it. With your positive forward ratio I think we're in the same boat! Good luck, keep at it, and hopefully the deals will come to you soon---

[ciskokidd]

Hey Dominic,I responded in more depth on your other post, but DJ and Mazz have it down right. Don't worry about percentage and have patience - lots of patience.Best,Cisco

[gitarrero]

hi dominic,I had many deals (about 10) in my first 14 month of membership, BUT only because I had countless forwards (more than 100).I need to add that this was only possible because I was *very* well prepared when I've joined, and I needed several years for this preparation.I agree it takes patience and the will to work and improve constantly. from time to time I realize how much energy and time I invest in my music when I have the chance to "compare" with other writers/producers. for me it's "normal", so I don't really notice it in my own life.I agree with the posts before - just move on and work, be open for criticism and pitch, pitch, pitch.if you get forwarded that means that the taxi screeners - who are folks with extensive knowledge in their fields - think your music is worth to be considered. that is a first, important step. now you just need to keep the ball rolling, and with persistance you'll finally succeed.all the best,martin

[tedsingingfox]

I know how anxious you can feel, believe me.My first two forwards happened a year ago this month, within 2 weeks of each other. I've STILL never heard a peep from either publisher.My next-to-last forward happened back in October, and I signed contracts last week for a library catalog that won't be released until 2009. You can never tell how or when you'll hear anything; and obviously, even AFTER hearing good news, patience is the key.You're doing just fine, so far. Keep working, keep pitching, keep saying thank you, and it'll come to you.Hang in there (visualize stupid kitten-on-a-tree-branch poster). Ted

[dominic]

thanks for all the comments!you guys are all great i appreciate the help.

[jameslimborg]

Sometimes immediately you will get someone interested in using your music... and sometimes they put it in their catalog of music... and use it years down the road.

[ddusty]

i think we were at about 90 submissions with 40 forwards before the first deal. about 1.5 years. So keep pluggin away!

[stick]

I got lucky and got a deal off my very first submission. From TAXI listing to check was only a couple months. And she asked me to write a piece of music for the opening credits of the DVD in addition to the piece I submitted through TAXI. My next gig, not long after that was fast too, though that was a producer looking for a guy to do demos for him, so it wasn't the typical music placement kind of gig. He just looked at my submissions as examples of work, and then contacted me shortly thereafter. Everything else is still out there...