Legit Song Contests

[jonathansorensen]

Hi all,

I was at an NSAI meeting the other night with Alan Roy Scott as a guest speaker. One thing he mentioned is that a lot of song contests are maybe not bogus but not worth your time and certainly not your money. Does anyone know of the contests that are legit and the ones that maybe should be avoided? I see stuff charging 5 dollars per submission up to 35 or 40 for the first song and 20 or 30 for the second. That's a lot of money just to compete.

Thanks all!

Jon

[Casey H]

I don't think there is much benefit to entering song contests for the most part. Some legit ones are the John Lennon Songwriting Contest and the Billboard International Song Contest.

I think it your song is SO great that it wins one of the above (or similar) majors, the PR gained might be helpful. But with the competition so stiff, odds of winning are pretty small.

I've received honorable mentions in the Billboard contest- they have 2 categories for that-- top 500 and top 1500. I can't really say that I get a whole lot of benefit out of saying I received honorable mention, though it feels good. What's dissapointing is Billboard won't reveal the total number of entries in a given year. So if my song was in the top 1500, I always wonder 1500 out of how many? (Hopefully not 1501, LOL)... The other thing is I'd have to assume that a great many entries are really bad so landing in the top 1500 might not be that hard for any songwriter with a little real experience.

My advice would be take the money you would spend on those entry fees and apply it to professional critiques such as Taxi custom or those from well known, reputable services.

Casey

[bete]

I just received word that I got an honorable mention in a big contest. I'll let you know if I get anything more than being listed on their website.

[jonathansorensen]

I just received word that I got an honorable mention in a big contest. I'll let you know if I get anything more than being listed on their website.

Congratulations . . . yes let me know . .

[guitarhacker]

I avoid the song contests. I consider them a waste of time and money... if not an out and out rip off.

I would wager that if your song is good enough to place or get honorable mention.... it can easily get a forward here and you have a chance to actually make money.

I'd also bet that songs that gets forwards and get cuts here would not even place in the contests......

[Kolstad]

Contests seem to have their own criteria for success, and are not neccesarily in sync with what the music industry is really looking for, so it's a game in itself where you can win some nice prizes. But I guess that's it..

So, why spend money to enter a contest, when you can submit to 5-10 Taxi listings for the same amount?

[cardell]

So, why spend money to enter a contest, when you can submit to 5-10 Taxi listings for the same amount?

Good point.

Stuart

[mojobone]

I think Casey's post should be warning enough for newbs; if it's not, y'all deserve what you get, 'nuff said?

That said, there are websites that aren't worth what they ask from you; be careful of what you might be giving away when you post on any website that isn't your own. Read the fine print.

[helmutuhlmann]

It's not legit till i win something! lol jks