Sending written songs to celebrity musicians for consideration is a process that involves several steps, and is not as straightforward as one would think.
It typically requires connections within the music industry, professionalism, and understanding of the business. Here’s a guide to help you navigate this process:
Understand the Artist’s Style: Make sure the song you’ve written matches the style and genre of the celebrity musician. Research their past albums, recent releases, and the themes they often explore.
Know Their Team: Identify the key people in the artist's team, such as their manager, A&R (Artists & Repertoire) representative, or music publisher. These are the gatekeepers who decide what music the artist hears.
High-Quality Demo: Create a polished demo of your song. It doesn’t have to be fully produced, but it should be well-recorded and clearly convey the song’s potential.
Use Session Musicians: If possible, hire professional session musicians or vocalists to perform on the demo, especially if your singing or playing isn't at a professional level.
Protect Your Work: Before sending your song to anyone, ensure that it’s copyrighted. In the U.S., this involves registering your song with the U.S. Copyright Office. This protects your rights and ensures you have legal proof of ownership.
Attend Industry Events: Attend music industry conferences, songwriting workshops, and networking events where you can meet people who work with or have connections to celebrity musicians.
Build Relationships: Networking is about building genuine relationships. Connect with managers, producers, A&Rs, and other songwriters. Over time, these relationships can lead to opportunities to pitch your songs.
Get a Music Publisher: A music publisher can pitch your songs to artists, labels, and managers on your behalf. Publishers have established connections and can often get your music heard by the right people.
Submit to Publishing Companies: If you don’t have a publisher, consider submitting your song to publishing companies that work with the artist you're targeting.
Join Songwriting Associations: Organizations like ASCAP, BMI, or the Nashville Songwriters Association International (NSAI) offer opportunities to submit songs for consideration by artists, including celebrities.
Participate in Song Camps: Some organizations and publishers host songwriting camps where you can collaborate with other writers and potentially create songs for well-known artists.
Submit to Artist’s Website: Some artists have submission portals on their official websites where they accept song submissions. This is rare but worth checking.
Email or Contact Form: If you have the contact information for the artist's management or A&R, you can send a professional email with a brief introduction, your credentials, and a link to your song demo.
Hire a Manager: If you’re an established songwriter, consider hiring a manager who can pitch your songs directly to artists or their teams.
Agents: Some songwriters work with agents who specialize in pitching songs to artists and securing placement opportunities.
Build an Online Presence: Use social media platforms to showcase your work and connect with industry professionals. Occasionally, artists discover new songs through social media.
Tagging and Direct Messages: Be cautious, but sometimes tagging an artist in a post featuring your song or sending a respectful direct message can get your song noticed.
Polite Follow-Up: If you’ve sent your song to someone in the industry, follow up politely after a reasonable period. Don’t be pushy, but a gentle reminder can help keep your submission on their radar.
Thick Skin: The music industry is competitive, and it’s common to face rejection. Don’t take it personally—keep improving your craft and persistently pitch your songs.
Sync Licensing: Consider getting your songs placed in film, TV, or commercials. This can increase your visibility and might attract the attention of celebrity musicians or their teams.
Independent Artists: Pitching to up-and-coming artists can also be a valuable route. If these artists gain popularity, your song could gain traction as well.
Professionalism: Always approach the process with professionalism. This includes how you present yourself in emails, during meetings, and in your overall communication.
Consult an Entertainment Lawyer: Before entering any agreements or contracts, consult with an entertainment lawyer to ensure your rights are protected and that you’re getting a fair deal.
As a session singer, writer, and producer that has worked with over 300 clients to provide high-quality jingles, singles, and features, Yona spends her time creating and marketing new music and helpful resources for creators. Check out Yona’s latest releases on her Spotify, her Youtube and share if you like it!
If you are in need of singer, songwriter or song producer services, see what Yona Marie can offer you on her services page.
