How to Publish Music

Music publishers represent a songwriter, generating and collecting money for the use of the composer's music in a variety of genres. A publisher is important if a songwriter wants his music heard and wants to get paid for it. While having good, catchy tunes is the first step, getting music published also takes plenty of effort, networking and drive.

Instructions

Difficulty: Easy

1. Perfect your songs and prepare formal copies of your sheet music. Have these ready to give to potential publishers. In addition, create samples of your music for publishers to hear.
2. Create a website for maximum exposure. Sometimes a potential publisher will want to check out samples and your talent before agreeing to meet. Be sure to reference your site when making contact. If they have a free minute they just may check it out. If they like what they see, they just may meet with you and consequently publish your music.
3. Compile a list of publishers and get their contact information. There are books out there that compile it for you, or simply call every music publisher you can find and ask the receptionist who (and how) to contact. Remember, they won't all be local. You must extend your search beyond the towns closest to you, if possible. Research if each publisher publishes your type of music.
4. Contact the publisher by calling, writing a (paper) letter, emailing, and/or visiting in person. Be persistent, but not creepy. It's important to let a publisher know you are a serious song writer with a professional quality. Be sure to reference your site when making contact. If publishers have a free minute they just may check it out. If they like what they see, they just may meet with you and consequently publish your music.
5. Get the publisher to meet with you. This is the most difficult and lengthy step. It takes will and patience to get meetings with publishers. Do this by creating a buzz about your work within the industry, in addition to making sure they know your name from all that persistent contacting you've been doing from Step 4.
6. Enter a lot of song-writing contests for maximum exposure and plenty of networking. Many publishers scour these contests looking for new talent. You can find contests online, like at the Songwriters Resource Network's website. Or, subscribe to a magazine like "American Songwriting Magazine" to keep abreast of contest listings.