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Tips & Resources by Brent Baxter, Pro Songwriter on March 14, 2018
A few years back, I met the owner of a certain publishing company. It was the first time we’d ever met. Within ten minutes, he said he was interested in talking about a publishing deal with me. How did this happen?
I made a great first impression before we ever met.
Here’s the story:
I was at a lunch party at a cowriter’s publishing company. The owner, whom I’d never met before, was chatting in the kitchen with me and James Dupre’. He was telling James how much he loved a certain song that he had written with one of their writers. James smiled, motioned to me and said, “Thanks. Brent’s on that one, too.” The owner, let’s call him Mr. J, lit up, and the tone of the conversation changed. Within a few minutes, he asked each of us who we wrote for. When we said we’re independent, he nodded and said, “we should talk.”
We had a few meetings and got really close to closing a deal, but it wasn’t the right fit for us. But this isn’t about my particular fit (or not) with this publisher. It’s about the power of songs and connections to pave the way for you. Mr. J had never laid eyes on me. We had never communicated directly, either over the phone or via email. But he’d heard several of my songs. And his staff writer, a cowriter of mine, has mentioned me to him a number of times. He’d told him I’m a great songwriter who should have a deal. (Thanks, bud!)
My songs and my cowriter made my first impression for me.
So when I finally met Mr. J at that industry function, I didn’t have to manufacture some “wow” first impression, hoping to be memorable. I simply had to act in a way that confirmed his already-favorable idea of me.
There are a few lessons I think we can draw from this.
1. Your cowriters will be your PR team.
They’re the ones who will sing your praises to their circle of contacts. This is great if you’re in town, but it’s also great if you’re out of town. If you only make a few trips to Nashville (or New York or LA) per year, try to connect with local writers. Write together both in-the-room and over Skype or Google Hangouts. Before your next Nashville trip, ask them who you should meet with and if they can put in a good word for you. If your writing is worthy, they should be happy to.
2. Good songs solve a lot of problems.
If I want to get a meeting with Mr. J, I’m coming from a position of strength. I don’t have to say, “Mr. J, we met at a party the other day. I’m the tall guy...” That’s not a terrible starting place, but it’s not as good as, “Hi, Mr. J. I’m Brent Baxter, a writer on ‘Song X’ that you love. We met at the party the other day...” Even if he’s totally forgotten meeting me, he knows he likes that song. My odds of getting a meeting go way up.
3. It’s good to get out there and get social.
Even though he likes some of my songs and my cowriter told him about me, Mr. J hadn’t reached out yet. But we “happen” to bump into each other at a function, and he gets to put a face with my name. That’s worth another year of him just hearing ABOUT me. (Disclosure: I didn’t meet him by accident. I knew he’d be there, and that’s a big reason why I went.)
What about you? Have you had an experience where your music has made a great first impression for you that helped you get ahead? Or did it make a negative one that you had to overcome? I’d love to hear from you!
And if you're ready for your songs to make a good (or better) first impression, I have a cool opportunity for you.
Every Monday night in April, I'm hosting The C4 Experience, or C4X. It's an exclusive, live online event where I help 10 writers like YOU create explosive growth in your commercial songwriting. I want you to win, and I'm going to help you write songs that artists want to sing, radio wants to play and fans want to hear.
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God bless,
Brent
PS- Thanks for stopping by Frettie! I appreciate it. As a matter of fact, I want to give you a special little something just for your visit. It's my FREE ebook "Think Like A Pro Songwriter," and it reveals valuable I-learned-it-the-hard-way-so-you-don't-have-to tips to help you succeed at the art, craft and business of songwriting. You can download it at www.GiftFromBrent.com.
