hello John

though not a member of NSAI- I think there would be some advantages to it.....It would help get the attention of publishers to some extent knowing that you have joined a professional organization.....

It would also help alot for you to have some songs up on the net to listen to....You can post em in the usual places they are found like a personal web page/Soundclick/ReverbNation/Facebook/Myspace etc.......

Assuming that you have defined yourself as a solo singer-songwriter-let publishers know that-otherwise they will wonder if you are trying to hook up with a band..

And of course you want them to know if you are Country or multi-genre.

So put some stuff up for review here on JPF-join BMI or ASCAP and let others know where you are from as well....Again you might define yourself a bit better-or just say you are in the process of personal discovery i.e. Simon looking for Garfunkel or whatever.....I think pitching stuff to fellow songwriters is a good start before pitching it to publishers and labels.....Being new-the networking and critique experience could help you alot.......

Hope this has been of some help

Best of luck to you


Tom