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How many "forwards" are normal?

Posted: Fri Apr 01, 2005 7:21 am
by epister
Hi there. My name is Eliot Pister, and I've been a Taxi member for just over a year. During that time, I've had 7 forwards - mostly for pop listings - and haven't had a bite yet. I'm not sure if I should be excited (which I was initially) about getting forwarded at all, or if getting a song forwarded is actually more common than I thought. Are there other members out there that regularily get their songs forwarded to the record/publishing company, but don't hear a thing after that? I wonder what the "forward -> contract" ratio is? 2:1? 5:1? 100:1? 1000:1?

Re: How many "forwards" are normal?

Posted: Fri Apr 01, 2005 10:56 am
by matto
Eliot,It's very common to get forwarded and not contacted. Happens to everybody. In my first year as a Taxi member I had pleny of forwards, but no contacts either. You should definitely be excited about every single forward! As to how common forwards are, that depends to a large degree on where "the bar" is set on a given listing.I don't think there is a "standard" forward:contact ratio. I'd say it depends somewhat on the type of listings you're submitting to (artist deal, song deal, film/tv, music libraries). Artist deals probably have the worst ratio, since most labels sign only very few artists in a given year.It's a tough business and it takes an unbelievable amount of perseverance to succeed, but if you're getting a nice amount of forwards, you're off to a auspicious start!Good luck to you!matto

Re: How many "forwards" are normal?

Posted: Fri Apr 01, 2005 6:14 pm
by happy
I'm going to keep my fingers crossed....I got my first forward today for a former American Idol contestant. They wanted melodies to show off vocal talent so we sent in 3 and got 1 forward. If we don't hear anything in 2 or 3 months does that mean the record company will not be using our song?

Re: How many "forwards" are normal?

Posted: Fri Sep 16, 2005 10:34 am
by songhouse
Well, I just got my first deal after 50 forwards or so.... All I can say is keep at it, and thanks Matt (matto) for the encouragement you've offered me & so many others...--Michael Logozarhttp://www.MichaelLogozar.com

Re: How many "forwards" are normal?

Posted: Fri Sep 16, 2005 10:43 am
by matto
Quote:Well, I just got my first deal after 50 forwards or so.... All I can say is keep at it, and thanks Matt (matto) for the encouragement you've offered me & so many others...Congratulations Michael!! This is excellent news...and you're welcome!

Re: How many "forwards" are normal?

Posted: Sat Sep 17, 2005 6:26 am
by glitch
I've been told that taxi makes up fake listings sometimes to make money off of submissions. I'm not saying that I believe this because I myself am a taxi member for 2 weeks now and I am currently waiting for my first forward but the fact that a few friends has told me this makes me wonder about it sometimes. so what do you guys think?

Re: How many "forwards" are normal?

Posted: Sat Sep 17, 2005 6:39 am
by matto
Quote:I've been told that taxi makes up fake listings sometimes to make money off of submissions. I'm not saying that I believe this because I myself am a taxi member for 2 weeks now and I am currently waiting for my first forward but the fact that a few friends has told me this makes me wonder about it sometimes. so what do you guys think?Glitch,this preposterous idea was brought up on another thread a little while ago, you can read the responses there (scroll about halfway down):http://taxi.proboards27.com/index.cgi?b ... 70&page=1I think you need to get yourself some better friends... matto

Re: How many "forwards" are normal?

Posted: Sat Sep 17, 2005 12:21 pm
by hummingbird
..I agree... Taxi would not be in business for very long if they did that. In plain words, that's called FRAUD and it's a criminal offence. As I said in the other thread, I'm also a member of two other tip sheets and I see the a few same listings posted on 2 or 3. Your music does have to be extraodinary to make the grade - and you hear a lot of complaints about forwards not being easy to get. IMO it's easier to blame the messenger (Taxi) than acknowledge you have a lot of hard work to do if you expect to break into the commerical market.H'bird

Re: How many "forwards" are normal?

Posted: Sun Sep 18, 2005 3:42 am
by happy
Hummingbird, have you had any luck with the other tip sheet companies? I only use TAXI and wasn't aware others have started the same service.

Re: How many "forwards" are normal?

Posted: Sun Sep 18, 2005 5:46 am
by hummingbird
there's lots of people who'll be willing to take your money for this kind of service, and there's song pluggers, etc. I joined Taxi because it was recommented by Ralph Murphy & John Braheny; I joined Songlink Int because it was recommended by John Capek. With Songlink I do the 'forwarding' - submissions go directly to the source. Out of 7 submissions I've had two positive replies stating interest - but no deals yet. Industry Resource tells me when my material has been reviewed by the listing... and then I sit & wait. No deals yet, out of 3 submissions.Bear in mind these all cost money, and I don't know if I'll renew. Just thought I'd test out throwing mud at more than one wall