Let’s assume you’ve just walked out of a meeting with a music publisher.  Congratulations!  But don’t go thinking the meeting is over just because it’s over.  Today, I want to help you keep winning the meeting even after it ends.

Here are 5 things you MUST do if you want to really get the most out of every publisher meeting.  Read on.

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To BE a pro, you need to THINK like a pro, and this FREE ebook will help transform your thinking, your songwriting, and your success.  Get it today!

Click Here For The Book

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Last week, I discussed 6 Ways Rock Your Publisher Meeting.  You can read that with a CLICK HERE.  Today, let’s talk about how to turn that meeting into an even bigger win- after it’s over.  And away we go…

1. Don’t freak out.

Chances are, you’re feeling a little kicked around.  Don’t worry- we’ve all been kicked around.  This is an opportunity to build your “getting-back-on-the-horse” muscles.  Believe me, you’ll need them over the years to come.  It’s important not to swing too far in either direction- “I’ve arrived” or “I’ll never get there.” 

Just because the publisher didn’t do backflips doesn’t mean it’s time to feed your guitar to a woodchipper.  And just because your publisher DID to backflips doesn’t mean it’s time to give your boss the ‘ol Johnny Paycheck.  Just take a deep breath.

2. Thoughtfully consider any feedback you received.

Put away the voice of pride which says, “they don’t know what they’re talking about- just ignore ‘em.”  Also put away the voice of fear and laziness that doesn’t want to admit you may have a lot of work ahead of you. 

Honestly, did the publisher make some valid points?  Maybe you brought in a rodeo song and your publisher told you rodeo songs aren’t in demand right now.  Well, get on iTunes or Billboard and do the research.  It’s not about seeing the world as you want it to be.  See the world as it is.

3. Seek out additional educated feedback.

Nobody’s opinion is gospel.  Nobody has perfect understanding.  If you disagreed with everything the publisher said, get another opinion.  If you agreed with everything the publisher said, get additional opinions.  If you hear the same point made by two or more music business professionals, really give it a lot of consideration. 

And there’s another reason to seek additional opinions- it will help you grow your network and increase the chance that you’ll find your champion.  Just because one publisher has taken some time with you, don’t act like they’re the only game in town.  It’s important to reach out to others.

4. Express appreciation.

Let the publisher know you appreciate his or her time.  A quick email or (even more noticeable) a handwritten thank-you card gets your name in front of the publisher in a positive way.  Even if they didn’t like your songs, everyone likes being appreciated, so this is a good way to put a positive spin on the meeting.  And, of course, if they loved your songs, it’s also a good reminder of that.

5. Follow up.

Don’t expect the publisher to keep thinking about you and call you up out of the blue a month later like “Hey, man… how ya been?  I miss you…”  Not gonna happen.  There’s no need for a meeting one week later (unless THEY ask YOU back that soon).  But in another couple months, after you’ve applied some of their advice to your newest songs, you can reach out to them again.  This is a relationship business, and it takes time to build them.  So reach back out.

Okay, those are 5 ways you win after your publisher meeting.  You may want to bookmark this page or print it out for future reference.

But what if you’re not sure how to get that publisher meeting in the first place?

Let me introduce you to a legit music publisher.

If you’re ready to connect with a publisher, I have a path for YOU and your great song to get to a real, legit, successful music publisher.

On Thursday, March 28, I’m hosting the next round of Songwriting Pro’s “Play For A Publisher.” Our guest is Scot Sherrod of Rare Spark Media.  Scot has had his hand in a bunch of hits, but the deadline to submit your song is coming up quickly!  CLICK HERE TO LEARN MORE ABOUT THIS GREAT OPPORTUNITY.

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 10 in Texas, a top 5 hit in the US and a #1 in Canada… so far.

Let’s assume you’ve finally landed a meeting with a music publisher.  Woo-hoo!  I’m proud of you!  Now, PLEASE don’t mess up this opportunity.  Today, I want to help you make the most of your meeting.

Here are 6 things you can do to maximize your next publisher meeting.  Read on.

________________________________

To BE a pro, you need to THINK like a pro, and this FREE ebook will help transform your thinking, your songwriting, and your success.  Get it today!

Click Here For The Book

_________________________________

Last week, I discussed 5 Ways To Prepare For Your Publisher Meeting.  You can read that with a CLICK HERE.  Today, let’s talk about how to slay your next publisher meeting while you’re IN the room.  And away we go…

1.  Be on time or early.

In a world where writers and creative types are habitually late, it’s refreshing to have someone show up on time or (gasp) a few minutes early.  Seriously, this is a simple way to show respect for the publisher and his or her time. It matters. Be professional.

Plus, a publisher’s day is FULL.  If you don’t show up on time, you’re either going to get a shorter meeting, or you’re messing up their schedule for the day.  Being the reason for a scheduling logjam is NOT the impression you want to make on a publisher.

2.  Dress like you care.

Seriously.  If you’re meeting in person, you want to appear professional.  No, you don’t have to wear kakis, but you want to be presentable. No, it doesn’t make your song sound better.

However, if you hope to build a relationship with this publisher and hopefully get some cowrites or eventually land a staff deal, you want to make the publisher feel like you know what you’re doing and won’t embarrass him later.  No, you don’t have to be handsome or beautiful, just don’t let your outfit be a negative.

3.  Seek to get better, not just to get discovered.

Maybe your songs are impressive.  Maybe they’re not.  But a humble, teachable attitude is always impressive.  You want the publisher to be a fan of YOU, not just your songs.

If they get the sense that a songwriter is not there to learn and connect but just wants to be told how great they are (and they aren’t great), they’re just going to try and get through the session with as little headache as possible.  Because if you’re not willing to learn or connect, you’re probably just waisting their time.

4. Take notes.

Or record the session (but ask before you hit the red button).  First of all, if you have a memory like mine, you won’t remember everything you want to.  Secondly, if you look like you’re taking it seriously and are fired up about the opportunity, it encourages the publisher to give even better info. 

Also, a publisher might be a little less likely to suggest a potential cowriter or industry contact if you look like you don’t have a pen within five miles.

5. Don’t argue.

It’s okay to ask clarifying questions and explore a topic more.  But it should be to learn, not to win.  Again, if a publisher doesn’t think they CAN work with you, they WON’T work with you. If the publisher is wrong on a point, it’s your job to go out and PROVE them wrong.  If you irritate them with your attitude, you can lose the relationship.  And relationships in this business are HUGE.

6.  Express gratitude.

You’re not doing them a favor by gracing them with your presence.  They’re doing YOU the favor.  So act like it.  Be thankful, and let them know you are.  Everyone likes to be appreciated, and publishers are no different.  Don’t overdo it, but let them know you value their time and attention.

Okay, those are 6 ways you can get the most out of  your publisher meeting.  You may want to bookmark this page or print it out for when the big day comes.

Next time, I’ll discuss what to do AFTER the publisher meeting.  Stay tuned, you don’t want to miss it.  In the meantime…

Let me introduce you to a legit music publisher.

If you’re ready to connect with a publisher, I have a path for YOU and YOUR great song to get to a real, legit, successful music publisher.

On Thursday, March 28, I’m hosting the next round of Songwriting Pro’s “Play For A Publisher.” Our guest is Scot Sherrod of Rare Spark Media.  Scot has had his hand in a bunch of hits, but the deadline to submit your song is coming up quickly!  CLICK HERE TO LEARN MORE ABOUT THIS GREAT OPPORTUNITY.

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 10 in Texas, a top 5 hit in the US and a #1 in Canada… so far.

Alright, you’ve tracked down a music publisher, and you’ve finally gotten that meeting you’ve been hoping for.  But now what?  How do you make it a success?  How do you avoid blowing this opportunity?

Here are five things you should do to effectively prepare for your publisher meeting.  Good luck!

________________________________

To BE a pro, you need to THINK like a pro, and this FREE ebook will help transform your thinking, your songwriting, and your success.  Get it today!

Click Here For The Book

_________________________________

1. Define your goal(s) for the meeting and beyond.

Do you want to write hits for other artists or for yourself as an artist?  Do you want a publishing deal or to get cowrites with the publisher’s writers?  Or both?  Are you writing for yourself or for the radio?  How can a publisher help you get where you want to go if you don’t know where that is?

2. Write down a list of questions and/or topics you want to cover.

Don’t just make a mental note- write it down.  By the way, write it down- and have it in front of you during the meeting.  When you get into it, when you get nervous or happy or frustrated or whatever, you’re likely to forget something you wanted to talk about.  Prioritize the list to make sure it’s as easy as possible to get to the important ones.  Did I mention you should write it down?

3. Choose your songs.

Decide on your songs based on which are most relevant to your goals.  If your goal is to be a hit country songwriter, but you bring in a novelty gospel song to show your range, it’s kind of a waste of time.  Bring songs that are aiming in the direction of your goals.  Order your songs in order of importance.  You might not get to them all, so play your “must-play” song first.

Burn a CD, even if you plan on playing live.  What if you break a string or a finger in the middle of your first song?  What if the publisher wants to play the song for an artist later that day?  Be prepared.  Also, have the labeling on the CD clear and professional with all your contact info on it.

Also, prepare for the fact that the publisher may not have a CD player on their computer.  (Sounds crazy, I know.)  It may be wise to have your songs and lyrics in an email folder where you can send them over from your phone right in their office.  Or to have them somewhere online where you can pull them up.  Be prepared.

4. Type your lyrics.

Make two copies of your typed lyrics- one for you (in case you get nervous and forget them in the middle of your song) and one for the publisher.  Some publishers don’t look at lyrics, but others do.  Better to have it and not need it than to need it and not have it.

And I don’t care how much you like your own handwriting- a typed lyric is more professional and makes a better impression.  Also, put all your contact info on every page of every lyric.  It doesn’t matter how awesome your song is if the publisher can’t find you later or remember who wrote it.

5. Research your publisher.

I’m not talking about hiding in the bushes outside their office.  But who is going to be sitting across the desk from you?  Have they published a hit?  Who are their current staff songwriters?

Knowing some of their cuts and writers 1) makes you look more prepared and professional 2) can spur relevant, helpful conversation (“How did you get ‘Happy In Love’ to George Urban?”).  Also, nothing is worse than badmouthing an artist, song or songwriter to your publisher and then seeing that artist’s album hanging on the publisher’s wall.  Oops.

Okay, those are 5 ways you can prepare for your publisher meeting.  You may want to bookmark this page or print it out for when the big day comes.

Next time, I’ll discuss how to handle the publisher meeting itself.  Stay tuned, you don’t want to miss it.  In the meantime…

Let me introduce you to a legit music publisher.

If you’re ready to connect with a publisher, I have a path for YOU and YOUR great song to get to a real, legit, successful music publisher.

On Thursday, March 28, I’m hosting the next round of Songwriting Pro’s “Play For A Publisher.” Our guest is Scot Sherrod of Rare Spark Media.  Scot has had his hand in a bunch of hits, but the deadline to submit your song is coming up quickly!  CLICK HERE TO LEARN MORE ABOUT THIS GREAT OPPORTUNITY.

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 10 in Texas, a top 5 hit in the US and a #1 in Canada… so far.

For many songwriters (and possibly you), trying to get a publisher meeting is like trying to get a date with a supermodel.  You know they exist, you cyber-stalk them as best you can… but you can’t find one who will give you the time of day.

Why is it so dang hard to get a publisher meeting?

Here are 4 reasons a publisher won’t meet with you- and one thing you can do to change that.

________________________________

To BE a pro, you need to THINK like a pro, and this FREE ebook will help transform your thinking, your songwriting, and your success.  Get it today!

Click Here For The Book

_________________________________

1. Knock, knock… Math.

Publishers simply don’t have enough time to meet with every songwriter who wants some of their time.  Math just dictates that there aren’t enough hours in the workday for every “quick 15 minute meeting” that is asked of them.

Unfortunately, publishers just can’t get to everyone.

Oh, and math also says that the vast majority of songwriters just aren’t good enough to solve the publisher’s problems.  The odds are actually better that you’ll either be needy or crazy and add to their problems.

2. You made a bad (personal) 1st impression.

Maybe the publisher met you out at an event… or the grocery store… and you gave off a creepy vibe when you shoved your CD into her cart alongside her avocados.  Or maybe you reached out through social media and she saw that post where you ranted about how much radio sucks and the songs suck and the artists suck.  Now the publisher has no desire to give you a 2nd chance to make a worse impression.

Yes, unpleasant people might still have a great song.  But a publisher is looking for something more valuable than just one great song.  She’s looking for a great songwriter she can have hits with for years to come.

If the publisher doesn’t like being around you for 5 minutes, she’s sure not excited about being around you for 5 years.

3. You made a bad (musical) 1st impression.

Let’s say a publisher was out at the Bluebird Cafe or The Listening Room to hear one of his writers, and you were in the early round.  If your songs just aren’t exciting to him (too slow, too cliche, too boring, whatever), he’s not going to be in a hurry to sit down with you for a half-hour.

There’s just not a compelling business interest for him to NOT meet with someone else so he CAN meet with you.  After all, publishers know writers tend to play their best stuff out.  So if that’s your best, he doesn’t need to hear any more- at least not until after you’ve worked on your craft for a few more years.

4. The publisher doesn’t know you exist.

Literally.  How can a publisher agree to meet with you if you’ve never stepped into her awareness?  If you and your songs never leave your bedroom in Boise, that publisher meeting is simply NOT GOING TO HAPPEN.  You have to get over your fear or whatever and DO SOMETHING.

Or maybe you’re ready to do something, but you just don’t know the steps to take.  How do you approach a real-deal music publisher in a way that gets his or her attention in a positive way?  Do you have to belong to some sort of private club?  Is there a secret handshake?

Let me introduce you to a legit music publisher.

If you’re ready to connect with a publisher, I have a path for YOU and YOUR great song to get to a real, legit, successful music publisher.

On Thursday, March 28, I’m hosting the next round of Songwriting Pro’s “Play For A Publisher.” Our guest is Scot Sherrod of Rare Spark Media.  Scot has had his hand in a bunch of hits, but the deadline to submit your song is coming up quickly!  CLICK HERE TO LEARN MORE ABOUT THIS GREAT OPPORTUNITY.

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 10 in Texas, a top 5 hit in the US and a #1 in Canada… so far.