Have You Been Pitching Your Songs All Wrong?
Music publishing can be a competitive industry, and many music publishers make mistakes when pitching songs to potential clients. Luckily, there are tools such as music publishing software or artist booking platforms that can help alleviate some of these mistakes. Even with the help of the right music business software, however, there are some mistakes that require time, dedication, and attention to detail to avoid. Pair these personal skills with the right booking management software and your publishing agency will stand out among the crowd. Let’s take a closer look at what publishers might be doing wrong when pitching their songs.
1. Not using music publishing software.
It’s 2023, and it’s far past time to start using music publishing software to your advantage. As a music industry professional, there are many daily tasks that can be handled easier and more efficiently with the help of the right software. For booking agents, this means the right booking management software or artist booking platform. For publishers, this means leveraging music publishing software to make for better pitches.
This type of software organizes all pertinent information in a single, easily accessible location. YourTempo’s Publishing Pro was designed specifically to meet the needs of every day publishers, making it easy to manage their catalogs, artists, and songs’ lifecycles from a single platform.
2. Not researching the client's needs and preferences.
Before pitching a song, it is crucial to understand the client's needs and preferences. Just like any service or industry, a publisher’s clients have specific tastes and interests that should be kept in mind. Every business needs to consider the “target audience” for their products, and as a music publisher, you may have multiple target audiences (depending on your song). You can take the time to note information about potential buyers into their profiles in your music publishing software, which will make it easier to keep up with which types of songs your clients are more inclined to go for. You can also use your music business software to keep notes on each song, citing which type of audience might be more interested in it.
Music publishers who don't take the time to research their client's musical style, target audience, and other factors are likely to pitch the wrong songs. This can result in a rejection, and damage the publisher's reputation.
3. Pitching incomplete songs.
Music publishers should never pitch incomplete songs. They should always present their best work and ensure that the songs are fully polished and ready to be considered. Incomplete songs can give the impression that the publisher is unprofessional and not serious about their work. Even making this mistake a single time can leave lasting damage to a publisher’s reputation, so always be sure to double check songs prior to the pitch for quality control purposes. It can be helpful to note whether a song is finished or unfinished in your music publishing software, that way you’ll quickly tell the difference between songs that are and aren’t good for pitching.
4. Not providing clear and concise information.
Music publishers should always provide clear and concise information about the song, including the song title, writer(s), and publisher. They should also include a brief description of the song, its style, and intended audience. To keep yourself from needing to dig for this information multiple times, you can store it within your music business software for easy accessibility and distribution.
5. Failing to tailor pitches to the specific client.
Music publishers should not send the same generic pitch to multiple clients. They should tailor their pitches to each specific client, highlighting the qualities of the song that will appeal to them. This shows that the publisher has taken the time to understand the client's needs and makes the pitch more persuasive. Customized pitches are far more likely to yield favorable results, since they were especially crafted for the individual you’re working with.
6. Not following up after a pitch.
Music publishers should always follow up after a pitch to see if the client is interested in the song. This shows that the publisher is professional and eager to work with the client. Failing to follow up can result in missed opportunities and damage the publisher's reputation.
Fine-Tune Your Personal Skills & Leverage Music Publishing Software
The music industry is full of trials and tribulations for management and artists alike. Luckily, there are solutions available no matter which sector of the industry you’re in. YourTempo offers booking management software for booking managers seeking a modern artist booking platform, and for publishers, an intuitive music publishing software to cater to daily needs. Publishing Pro is the perfect platform to organize your daily undertakings and prepare for winning pitches. Get started today by reaching out to our team at 629-895-5285.
