How to Join a Music Publishing Company
Many people crave the excitement of a career in the music industry. For those who didn't survive high school band but eat and breathe music, there are plenty of non-playing jobs in this business for those who want to make good money while being part of the scene. Like most careers, preparation is the key, but having a devotion to the music industry--and being willing to do what it takes to find a professional home there--can be as challenging as the ability to play the sax. Figure out exactly what role you would like to play as you peruse the following information.
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Instructions
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Choose a business-based education. Your passion may be the melody but business acumen makes you an all-around player when it comes to contract negotiation and other corporate tasks undertaken by music publishers. In particular, classes in accounting, money management and business practices will put you ahead of the game.
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Consider law school. Understanding the complexity of intellectual property law can be a door opener in this business. Negotiating for rights to a piece of music requires a high level of skill and wisdom if a company is to avoid lawsuits. Additionally, overseeing copyrights, writing licensing deals and negotiating royalty contracts adds a layer of credentials that can't be ignored.
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Get savvy about the music publishing industry by attending conferences, workshops, seminars and other symposia frequented by professionals and neophytes. These conferences are packed with learning and networking opportunities. Breakout sessions run by industry leaders are eagerly attended by those pursuing their dream career.
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Find your bliss. Within the field of music publishing, multiple sub-disciplines exist, and your best bet for getting work could lie in becoming a specialist rather than a generalist. Among the job titles to consider are talent scouting and acquisition, promoting and plugging songs, talent management and publicity.
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If you're seeking stability more than excitement, set your sights on working for a record label. From designing CD art and sheet music to handling distribution of products at the wholesale and retail levels, record label gigs offer something for everyone, including little-known jobs that support commerce between publishers, main stream businesses and consumers (think Muzak® and iTunes®).
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Find talent. Talent acquisition is considered the most coveted job in the industry, so aim high. Professionals in this job discover, nurture and develop new songwriters, mentor music producers and writers or oversee legalities associated with archiving music. Competition is fierce, and many industry top dogs are not ashamed to admit that they started as go-fers.
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Get geographic. Unless you're seeking to build a career within California's film community, there are plenty of other locations around the nation seeking music-publishing talent. Stay on the west coast for film, TV and soundtrack work, but head for Nashville if finding homes for songs within the country western music genre is your goal. Nashville music publishing gigs tend to pay better than what music pluggers earn in Hollywood for numerous reasons, not the least of which is the fierce competition in California.
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Tips & Warnings
Music publishing professionals strongly recommend the annual Hollywood Reporter Billboard Film and TV conference to those wishing to break into the field.
