Let’s say you’ve leveraged your networking and songwriting skills to finally land a meeting with a music publisher. Congratulations! Now, don’t screw it up.

No pressure, right? Don’t worry. I’m here to help. To keep you from ruining this opportunity, here are five things you SHOULD NOT do in a publisher meeting.

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Okay, let’s dive in!

1. Don’t be an ask-hole.

Don’t focus on your needs and what the publisher can do for you. It’s okay to share your goals with the publisher. That clarity will help the meeting. But don’t beat them over the head by asking for cowrites with their writers, hook-ups with a producer or artist, hook-ups with a PRO, helping you land a round at the Bluebird Cafe, or for more of their time that you originally agreed to. This is not all about you. Publishers are looking for songwriters who solve the publisher’s problems. Publisher’s aren’t in business to solve problems for you.

2. Don’t talk bad about other songs or songwriters.

Nashville is a small town, and there’s a decent chance that the publisher knows someone involved with that song or artist. Heck, the publisher may even publish that song or songwriter! (Same goes for any major music center: New York, LA, etc..) It’s okay to state that certain things aren’t your cup of tea. That helps the publisher understand your artistic voice. But draging a song, songwriter, or artist through the mud won’t be helpful. The point is how YOU get better, not how you wish someone else were “better.” It’s unprofessional. Besides, publishers operate in a rough, frustrating, failure-heavy business. If you’re ALREADY negative, why would they want to spend more time with you?

3. Don’t disrespect the publisher’s time.

If you asked for a 15-minute meeting, stick to the 15 minutes. Even if you don’t have an agreed-upon meeting length, it’s better to make things short and sweet. After a little bit, volunteer to bail. “Well, I don’t want to take up too much of your time. I know you’re busy.” If the publisher wants to visit more, they’ll certainly tell you so. If they need (or want) to end the meeting, you’ve allowed them to do so in a way that helps them feel good. It’s uncomfortable and rude to overstay your welcome. Believe me, there’s probably nothing the publisher can tell you in that 20 minutes of overtime (“Just one more thing…” “Just one more song…”) that is worth being annoying and inconsiderate.

4. Don’t be arrogant or argumentative.

If confidence is good, overconfidence is even better, right? Wrong. Be humble. Take their feedback and advice with a teachable attitude. If they get the vibe that you think you already have it all figured out, that’s a turn-off. Even if you think the publisher is foolish not to fall in love with your song and see its obvious hit qualities, be humble. You can’t argue a publisher into loving your song. They’ll just end up disliking both your song and you. Be thankful for the opportunity, and tell them so. Sincerely.

5. Don’t be a total fanboy (or girl).

Yes, it’s cool to compliment the publisher about their writers or their success. Yes, it’s great to express appreciation for their time and let them know you respect them. But please don’t freak out and overdo it. If you gush too much, it’s unprofessional. If you act unprofessionally, like you’re just a wide-eyed tourist, the publisher won’t take you seriously as a songwriter or as a pro. Don’t fake like you’re a big shot, but try to act like you belong there. Be humble, but don’t humiliate yourself.

If you avoid these mistakes, it’s sure to help the quality of your next publisher meeting. Hopefully, you have great songs to play for them, too!

If YOU would like to play your song for a legit music publisher, our next Play For A Publisher event is coming right up!  Our next guest is Tim Hunze of Parallel Music.  Tim has worked closely with several #1 hit songwriters, and he’s been getting songs recorded by major artists for years.  If YOU have the songs, HE knows what to do with them!

CLICK HERE TO GET ALL THE DETAILS AND SEND IN YOUR SONG!

God Bless and Enjoy the Journey,

Brent

Brent Baxter is a hit songwriter with cuts by Alan Jackson, Randy Travis, Lady Antebellum, Joe Nichols, Gord Bamford, Ruthie Collins, Ray Stevens, and more. He’s written a top 5 hit in the US and a #1 in Canada… so far.