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Hey all,

It's that time again. Here's this week's question. For those who are actively pitching material to publishers or artists? What do you include in your packet? Of course, there are individual submission guidelines, but in general what do you always include? What is your philosophy--professional, attention getting, etc.? Have you had any comments for those in the business about your pitching packets?

Keep positng,
Ashleigh

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Hey Ashleigh,

Always inlcude a nicely formatted lyric sheet that list your cowriters, copyright info and contact info..

I like to put a nice cd label (with a colorful graphic) with the songs and their run time, and again...more contact info in case they lose the lyric sheets.

IF i had to write to get permission to submit, and I did it via email, I always include the email AND write it on the outside of the package so they KNOW i received permission.

Obviously a S.A.S.E is a must.

A little off topic; i've had no comments on the package, but a PRO demo goes a long way, and I've had LOTS of comments on how the songs i submitted sounded better than alot of submissions since i spent the money to get it done professionally.

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Hey Blake,

Thanks for posting. [Linked Image] Are you submitting an artist package or are you strictly a songwriter? I have been toying with the idea of developing some kind of a bio to go along with my pitch packets. I always do a cover letter, but it's best to keep them short, so I don't want to bog it down with stuff that I've done. I want people to know that I'm involved in organizations, thus showing that I am taking the time to improve my craft and learn the business, but I can't decide where it's best to do that. I've toyed with the idea of just listing the organizations I belong to under my signature line and just leave it at that. Anyone else have any suggestions? What do you do?

BTW, Blake, I think you have a good point. My co-writer and I do our own demos. I know they aren't like a full Nashville studio, but I'm surprised at the positive comments we get on our production. Many people say that production doesn't matter, but that a little bit like telling a jury to disregard a damning statement. Sometimes it's hard to completely separate the two.

Keep posting,
Ashleigh

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Hi All,
Here's how I am doing it today and for some time now. First let's start with the Envelope itself. I use the 6x9 Manilla envelope with the metal clasp. I use Address Labels that I type the address of who I am sending to. You can purchase very nice Labels at Wal-Mart or where ever you shop. Avery makes color labels 4 to a sheet that work very well. Since I have a ton of return address labels that I receive in the mail from lots of places I use them for my return address label. If you don't have those and want to make your own some programs such as Creat-A-Card, Print Master, etc. have the ability to create and print return labels. I have a stamp that says REQUESTED MATERIAL that I stamp on the front of the submission envelope if the request is from a tip sheet or Web Posting. Sometimes if I am sending songs for more than one artist to the same listing I will write the name of the Artist on the front of the envelope. Sometimes a code has to be added.
I purchase C-30 Cassette tapes, normal bias is OK, usually 100 at a time and label sheets so I can type the song titles I am submitting. I have created a page in Wordpad that has my Name, Address, Ph. No. and Copyright Notice. I can add this Info to the blank cassette labels with my printer. By putting the cassette label sheet in the printer one time does it. My lyric Sheets were created in Micro Soft Works and I just print the ones I am sending. The Lyric sheets have all contact info included. I also have a cover letter set up that I can use over and over, also with all contact info included. The cover letter is pretty basic. Contacts don't want your life story, just useable songs. I used to send out a Self Addressed Stamped padded envelope for return of my material. Most contacts didn't return my material so I switched to a Stamped, Addressed, Business Envelope. Very few people ever returned them either. I no longer use a SASE. I figure if anyone wants to use one of my songs they will call, E-mail or write. It is cheaper to send a new tape than it is to pay for the tape to be returned. When I have the submission ready I put the cover letter, the lyric sheets and cassette in the envelope and mail it. I wrap the cassette in a paper towell and put a rubber band around it. That's about it. RES.


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HI Ashleigh!

My "Pitches" these days as a Writer go thru TAXI pretty much Exclusively. As such, I use a Bubble-Wrap Envelope the Local P.O. Sells, add a CD & Lyric Sheets, & often a 1 page Bio & Kinko-Copied Color Pic, and all the Usual "Burrito" Stuff. (No SASEs yet...get most ALL the Feedback I can handle from the JPF Lyrics Feedback Board here & save a Stamp!)

Been feedin' CD's to Euro Indie Stations more than TAXI these Days,..same sort of Pack. Allus Emails a Querry First, and with luck I get a Yes back & the Airplay eventually Begins! ("Global Priority" mail, while Expensive, gets CD there Really Quickly & CDs DON'T Disappear at Customs like "Regular Airmail" seems to do.)

Big Hugs,
Stan

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Hey Ray and Stan,

Thanks for adding your two cents to the topic. [Linked Image] I ,too, do the computer label thing for all my submissions. I think it looks neat and professional and if you saw my handwriting you'd understand. [Linked Image] It takes a little more time to do it, but I like the way it looks. I do a computerized cassette label also. As far as CDs go, I've heard that the labels you print off and put on yourself sometimes come off in the player. Wouldn't that piss some publisher off? Has anyone else heard this? I've been hand labeling my CD submissions for that reason.

Thanks for answering my question about the bio, Stan. Could you tell me what you include on it? Thanks for the tip about the world wide priority mail. Has that happened to you a lot before?

Keep posting,
Ashleigh

[This message has been edited by adw246 (edited 08-26-2002).]

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I also use different color paper to print my lyric sheets on. I also color the cassette label sheets in the paint program. You have to ajust the margins and run the sheet twice as you can only do about half a page at a time. I also work with a local publisher in case a song is picked up for recording.


Ray E. Strode
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Hi Blake and Ashley,
Could you please tell me what a S.A.S.E. is?
Thanks so much!

Juan

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Absolutely, Juan,

That would be a Self-Addressed Stamped Envelope and if you see that you are to include an IRC, that's International Reply Coupon, which is basically the same thing, just for overseas.

Keep posting,
Ashleigh

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I advise against the use of a SASE. The implication of a SASE is that the people receiving your material might want to return it to you. That's not what you want them thinking when they listen to your song. You want them thinking this is THE song or artist they've been looking for. Why would they want to return such a great song?

If someone likes your material, you'll hear about it. Be forewarned: the process could be much slower than you'd like. When I first started sending out my material, it seemed to take forever before I got any response. Sometimes I'd get a call from someone 6 months, even a year later. But the responses did come. Just when I had written someone off, that's when I'd get the call.

Another caveat: some people will not open your package unless a special code is written on the outer envelope. The code is an indication that you've received permission to submit your material.

Personally, I don't submit anything unless I've made contact with the person I'm sending it to. On the outside package, I indicate the date the material was requested and, if appropriate, the project for which I'm submitting the material.

Good luck out there!

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Hey SongMaker,

Some listings specifically ask for a SASE. If it is requested then I think you should give them exactly what they are asking for. At least it shows you're smart enough to follow directions even if your songs suck. [Linked Image] A SASE isn't for returning material, it's for a letter reply about your stuff. I agree with you, I don't ask for my material back. I hope it sits in their desk drawer and they call me about it sometime. You never know. [Linked Image]

Keep posting,
Ashleigh

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Hi Ash!
Thanks so much for that! One more thing learned
Take care

Juan

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Hi Ashley,
Good topic. I think Blakeh and Ray covered the basics very well. I just thought I'd add a few DON'T's to go with the DO's...

DON'T staple your package...ouch!

DON'T make excuses, for vocals, lack of production, or any of the elements you think are missing....If you already know these things going in, you shouldn't have sent your material out!

DON'T send out your c.d. or tape without checking it in your own player first...sounds self-explanatory but you'd be amazed...static, skips, blank..you name it!

On labels coming off in the player...well that's a new one on me..but I guess that would be a DON'T send out your c.d. or tape without checking that the label is firmly in place. <g>

On S.A.S.E.'s that's a do or don't depending. Primarily an S.A.S.E. is more of a courtesy to the songwriter than a requirement...

Just my two cents!

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Hi Backatcha Ashley!

Sorry for the D-lay,..I been Busy!

I kinda shortened down my Bio when I was asked to write a "100 Word Bio" on a "Muse's Muse" Submission a while back...REALLY Made Long-Winded Me THINK a bit, it did!

But think THAT's about ALL ya needs to TELL, to give Whomever An Impression. (They'll visit Your Website for MORE, if ya gives 'em the URL AND they're Interested.)

My Bio (Real) briefly mentions my Early Stuff Held for Gladys Knight/Written With Gap Band//Mel Blanc Connection, segues into my bein' "Chapter 7" in "MUSIC HORROR STORIES" New Book (By Our JPF Mentor, Janet Fisher, YAYY! DO Buy a Copy!) to Summarize my 1980's Songwriting Experience(s).

Then..the "Decade Off" to Collect 1000 Electric Fans...my "Fan Book Deal"...my Procrastinatin' by Writing a Song-a-Day since 1999...bein' "Discovered" at Webster Flea Market by Ol' Western Swinger, Gene Allen..Trek to Branson for "Freshman CD" in March-April...Follow Up Comedy CD in July..A Song now Contracted for a Hollywood Musical, & I'm addin' a bit about the Euro Airplay these 2 CDs have got (7 Straight Weeks in France, now!) while I'm finishing up a 3rd..SOON!

Recommend ya use a little HUMOR in your Bio...'cuz Overall, they're Pretty Boring, tho "Mandatory Readin'", I guess, whenever Somethin' SERIOUS gets Pitched.
I consider it an HONOR to have Bombed an Audition at A&M in the '80's...I at least got that far, "that early." (Heh!) And, yeah, it's IN The Bio! ;-)>

"K.I.S.S."---That's The Last Word in Bios!

Big Hug,
TampaStan


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