INFO - signing your first publishing / library deal

[andygabrys]

It really pays to be familiar with the different parts of a deal, and the various revenue streams that you can participate in.

Educate yourself so you can ask better questions.

More understanding = less redundant questions = happier publishing contacts that have a hundred fewer emails to work through every day.

Remember that this public forum is a resource, as are individual composers who have more experience, as well as calling TAXI directly and asking for advice (if its a TAXI forward I think you will get good advice).

And if you are trying to figure out what is in a deal to begin with:

There are a variety of books like :

Donald Passman's "All You Need to Know About the Music Business" http://www.amazon.com/Need-Know-About-M ... c+business

Steve Winogradsky's "Music Publishing - the Complete Guide" http://www.amazon.com/Music-Publishing- ... inogradsky

You can also take a contract to an entertainment attorney (do some work to make sure they have a background in this specific area and aren't doing divorce law or something) and have them look over the contract and explain the various deal points to you. The money spent is likely well worth it for your career in music licensing. Even at that, take what they explain with a open mind. If an entertainment attorney specializes in big placements for big artists, they may think a 50/50 deal with an exclusive publisher primarily working with reality shows may or may not make sense. Look for raw info and less for opinions.

and there is a wealth of info on this forum if you search for it. Like this:

http://www.taxi.com/transmitter/1504/kn ... lingo.html

Even after you have done all this background study, you still have to decide if any deal is right for you.

Deals are offered like a server offering ketchup at a diner: "Would you like Ketchup with that?"

Its a yes or no question. At the lowest tiers of this business there is little or NO negotiation on deal points.

You just figure out if it works for you.

If its your first contract, you have little to lose by getting some of your music in. You have the rest of your life to build different relationships with different offerings.

A common question: If you are trying to figure out if the "no money up front, in perpetuity exclusive deals" actually have worth, then you need to research how exclusive publishers are working with foreign sub-publishers - and how that can lead to placements that happen overseas without being an extension of a domestic program that goes into syndication. Surprise, surprise - foreign placements pay pretty well.

[sansharbour]

Andy

Thanks for posting
It makes a whole lot of sense to get your foot in the door.
Just as an advertising exec started in the mail room......and rose through the ranks by learning every day

Plus if you are a songwriter and a hardworking one at that then there will be many more songs to follow
For those who are seeking to be successful at this you have to jump in sometime.

Be prepared as possible and don't be paralyzed by Fear.

Don