John,

Marc-Alan Barnette. I have been a member of NSAI for over 21 years, out of the 23 I have been in Nashville. for the first ten I was a regular member, the past 10 were as a professional member and mentor to their workshops, chapters and individual and group members. It is single handedly the best move I ever made and the best money I ever spent. I actually owe my current career as to NSAI.

But it might not be like you think. If you analyze NSAI, BMI, ASCAP, Songwriters Guild, JPF, Songramp, TAXI, whatever, you are usually not going to get a one on one cost to result benefit. Nothing does that.

What happens is what I call ACTIVITY=PROXIMITY=OPPORTUNITIES.

When you are involved in any organization, you are by definition doing more activity. You write more songs, you attend meetings,meet other artists and writers, all in a desire to get more for your membership.Paying money for anything provides it's own incentive.

If you are doing that, it is going to put you into PROXIMITY of other people, other writers, people who might provide co-writing contacts, perhaps some artist who might record and perform one of your songs, not to mention writers nights or showcases those organizations put on. When you figure that NSAI is the only organization that has chapters in nearly every metropolitan area, the benefit of that alone is worth the cost of admission.
And going to some place like Nashville, gives you a central meeting location, an office on the Row, where you are going to get the closest view of the industry you can get. That is what leads to OPPORTUNITIES.

I had cuts before I joined. Got cuts during my membership. That really didn't matter one way or another. Even writers that write for large companies, with song pluggers, publishers, lots of employees, often make their own appointments and get their own cuts. But it is the company which raises their profile among their contemporaries.

NSAI or any of these other organizations don't do this for you. Just provides avenues. You have to blow the doors open. In many cases when you are just meeting people, being a member of NSAI can simply say "this guy has a little more on the ball at understanding the game" with some people that might be worth a few more minutes of an interview or a couple of extra listens to songs. Doesn't guarantee it, but doesn't hurt.

When I am contacted by people from NSAI chapters, I know they are used to being part of something larger than themselves. If they are supporting the groups in their area that lifts the boat.That enables the area chapters to do more things. A rising tide lifts all boats.

When I went to Congress six years ago, NSAI was the reason I was there lobbying for songwriter's rights. They walk the walk and talk the talk.

If you want more tangible results, Frankie Ballard, a current hit artist on Warner Brothers Records is someone I worked with for six months before he was signed. He came to me through an NSAI group. Steel Magnolia is another duo I have worked with. Megan Lindsey, the female singer of that group, came to me through my relationship with a teacher from Wisconsin.She was the coordinator of the Green Bay NSAI group. She now writes for Taylor Swift's publishing company.

You approach people the same way whether you are a lone wolf or part of a pack. It is all going to be up to you no matter what.Your personalty has to carry you long before anyone listens to your songs. There is no concievable way to listen to millions of songs that are floating around out there. So you up the level of your odds. the education you get through groups like NSAI are what helps you up that level.

This is all a crap shoot or lottery ticket. It is just about being as methodical as you can be. Joining recognized organizations are just another step in that direction.

My advice would be to visit a couple of meetings in the area closest to you. If it takes it, visit Nashville, LA or New York. See what works for you and continue to ask people their advice like you did here. Everyone is going to have their own take on it.

The only thing you have to lose might be a little money, or some time. If you don't work all the angles, learn what you can, you won't get those.

All up to you.

MAB