Here's an overview of how the process works. 

• Be ready to respond after sending your query with a demo (usually on a CD, though some music industry people still listen to tapes). In some cases, a lyrics sheet is acceptable if you only have the lyrics.  

• The next step is writing your query or we can write it for you.  (About half our clients have us write it).  

  • If you are writing your query, you will get a link to a page with guidelines to follow.  Then, send us your letter for a review, which includes suggestions for improving your letter, adding information, and a light editorial polish.   Should your letter need major changes or a rewrite, we'll suggest that.  This letter is extremely important, especially the subject line, because this is what will get the music publishers, record labels, agents, or managers to want to know more about your song.  Think of this query as a marketing pitch letter, which is a special type of writing. 

  • If you want us to write the query, send us your lyrics sheet and if available, a MP3, WMA, or RM file or website link so we can listen to your music.  Additionally, send some bio information about yourself, including any previous record cuts, publishing deals, band dates, and how you can help promote and market your song in the future (such as band dates, contacting radio stations in your area, etc.)  You will get a draft of the query letter to review and make any additions and changes.  Then, your letter gets a final editorial polish, and if there are any major changes, you get to do a final review before the letter goes out.

• Once your query letter is finalized, we send your query by e-mail to the music publishers, record labels, or agents/managers.  Or if it's a postal query, we send you a file with the merged names and addresses, so your letter is ready for you to print it out on your stationery; then you mail out your letter.

• We regularly update our databases through various means, including reports of changes in personnel and deals in industry publications, test e-mails, and returns forwarded to us by many clients.  This regular updating is necessary, since every week brings changes in the industry, as people change jobs, companies move or go out of business, or people change e-mails or add spam filters.   Occasionally, too, a publisher, label, or agent will advise us or will tell a client that they don't want to receive e-mails, are leaving the business, or are no longer interested in that type of project, so we update the database accordingly.

• If you want to exclude particular individuals or companies from getting your e-mail, we can do this based on the names or e-mails you provide (though sometimes people use other names or e-mail addresses). 

• We use a special software program to send your e-mail under your own name and e-mail address, so all replies will come directly to you.  You will also receive a copy of your e-mail that has gone out, along with a report listing of the names and companies who have gotten your query.  This will help you keep track and follow-up with your responses.

• After your e-mail query goes out (generally on Sunday night through Thursday morning to avoid sending queries on the weekends), you will usually get a very quick response, sometimes within an hour or two, though most contacts respond within the first or second day.  The level of response will depend on your project.   Commonly, clients average about 15-20 positive responses inviting them to send in their song; some even more.

• Once you get responses, be ready to respond with your demo on a CD and accompanying final lyrics sheet.  (Or just lyrics if the company is agreeable to that). Be prepared to respond in a day or two.  An increasing number of music industry people are open to e-mail submissions or listening to demos on Web sites, but many will want you to send your song on a CD by regular mail along with a lyric sheet.   Ask about preferences, and only send attachments if the person is willing for you to do so.   Many people will give you their address when they want more information by mail; otherwise, ask where to send your material.

• Another question which often comes up is whether you need a music publisher to represent you and whether to send queries to both publishers and record labels.   It depends on your project and your ability to handle follow-up negotiations.   You can always sign with a publisher to represent you if a record label wants this; alternatively label interest can help you land a publisher.  Generally, it works well to send it to both publishers and labels at the same time, which is what most clients do. 

• After you send your material, expect to wait a month or two for a decision.  It can take a few weeks for the person requesting your material to review it, and even if they like it, they often will want feedback from others.  Or if you find a publisher, the publisher will still have to submit your song to record labels or music agents/managers will have to submit the song to the artists they represent.   

• In short, the SongwritingConnection can open the door for you.  But after this, your success depends on your song and its appeal to the particular music publisher, record label, or agent/manager.