How to get started finding Libraries

[hummingbird]

There's some excellent advice above and I would add, if you do intend to 'cold-call' with your music, first be sure it is indeed ready to pitched to the film and television market. Submitting to TAXI listings is a good way to find out.

1) How many tracks should I be showcasing within my demo?
It's not really a 'demo' per se (no one is going to be taking that music and producing it themselves). It's well-recorded, broadcast quality, currently available/unsigned music. I'd advise sending your best two or three tracks in the same genre to a library that is looking for something in that genre.

2)I compose across several genres. Should my demo stay to one genre or should I showcase my talents across genres?
Find your niche and play to that. Whatever you do best, pitch that first. See #1

Before you even try to do this, understand the business. Know what synch fees and licencing fees are, be prepared with your IPI number, understand the differences between exclusive and non-exclusive and be sure you have signed work for hires for any tracks on which you did not perform yourself (and signed co-writing agreements for any collaborations). So when a library sends you an email with details of the potential agreement, you understand what they are saying.

Lastly, don't actually 'send' anything to anyone you are pitching to without an invitation to do so. "Hi it's Vikki, we met at the Road Rally and talked about cats, watercolour painting, and San Fran. I'd love to send you a couple of my country hick hop tracks for consideration. If you're interested, please let me know how to submit, or feel free to visit my website at ..." Or, read what they want on their website.

Whatever instructions they give, follow them to the letter. Make sure whatever you send has your name, email and telephone number on it. Above all, be professional, courteous and respectful of their time.

Just a few thoughts.

[Joseph]

Before you even try to do this, understand the business. Know what synch fees and licencing fees are, be prepared with your ICI number,

What's the ICI number? Does that have to do with your PRO? Thanks for the info!

-Joseph

[hummingbird]

Before you even try to do this, understand the business. Know what synch fees and licencing fees are, be prepared with your ICI number,

What's the ICI number? Does that have to do with your PRO? Thanks for the info!

-Joseph

My bad! Not enough coffee!! I mean "IPI" - your PRO provides that.

[Joseph]

Great! Thanks.

-Joseph