Publishing your music means making it available for other people to listen to. As with any work of art, you will be able to find a publisher to do it for you, or you can do it yourself. This article will describe both methods.
Steps
Method 1 of 2: Relying on a Record Company
Step 1. Define your gender and stick to it
Some record producers look for new material by genre, so it's best to concentrate your songs in a single genre; you can experiment with other genres later.
Step 2. Record a demo
Step 3. Direct your music to a producer
Search the SIAE databases and look for the titles of songs and authors in your genre, find out who publishes them and do some research to understand how you can propose your songs. Another way to find producers is to look at the national sales charts in your genre and look for producers of those artists. Call the record company to confirm who will receive your music, and in what format you should send it.
Step 4. Make contact with the world of the music industry
This is so important that if you don't live near cities where people can be professional musicians, you should seriously consider moving.
- Attends the meetings of music industrialists.
- Go to places where you can find important people from the world of music.
- Take part in evenings for songwriters.
- Join the associations of artists, for Italy the SIAE.
- Be firm but polite when you meet important people in the music business, remember that they are likely being pestered by pushy artists every day.
- Write songs together with artists who already have a producer and with those who don't (maybe someone you worked with can introduce you to their producer, now or in the future)
Step 5. When you are offered a record deal, hire a lawyer
Here are some of the factors to consider when deciding whether or not to sign with a particular manufacturer:
- How fast are that manufacturer's payments?
- Does the manufacturer have an international distribution network to collect the proceeds abroad thanks to subcontracting contracts or partnerships with international services?
- What is the revenue split between authors and other band members? Make this clear now to avoid legal battles later.
- If the person who signed you leaves the record company, will there be other people who can take over and appreciate your music?
- Does the record company specialize in your genre?
- Can the record company pay a portion upfront?
- Do you prefer a large or a small label?
[Note: Record companies usually only get their earnings after the writers get theirs. Therefore, only the big labels can afford to pay upfront to secure artists of great talent or popularity. Most indie labels will release your song without compensation until they make a profit for all parties involved.]
Method 2 of 2: Self Publishing
Step 1. Record your songs on CD and sell them at your concerts, on your website, or on a third party site
Step 2. Optional:
make your songs available for download (at the cost you deem appropriate). You can do this on your own website or on a third party site. A simple personal site does not present many difficulties. However, if you want to create something more complex, for example an online store, you will need more knowledge and effort. On some platforms you can sell not only scores but also live performance rights.
Step 3. Join the SIAE
It is essential to get paid if you play your music on the radio or on other public occasions.
- Choose a name for your label. This will be the name on which the checks will be made out.
- Register as both a producer and a musician.
- When your name is approved, register your label with the chamber of commerce. This step is necessary to cash checks made out to your record company.
- Record all your songs.
Advice
- If you decide to publish your music on your own, you can use an online distribution service to be able to sell your songs in the shops most used by your fans.
- If you need help to optimize the publication of your music and the promotion of your songs online, you can contact Novenovepi ™, the Italian online promotion agency for emerging artists, bands and record labels.
