Music publishers play a crucial role in the music industry by managing and promoting songwriters' works. They are involved in securing licensing deals for the use of songs in various media, such as films, television, commercials, and video games. They also ensure that songwriters receive royalties from performances, recordings, and sales.
Publishers actively seek opportunities to exploit songs, helping to place them with recording artists or in sync opportunities, and they handle the administrative tasks of copyright registration and royalty collection. They also provide creative support, offering feedback, collaborating with songwriters, and connecting them with artists or producers to create commercially viable music.
But what do they look for in a song? How do they know that it’s the next big hit?
What Music Publishers Look For
Music publishers value strong songwriting craft, originality, and the potential for the song to be covered or adapted by other artists. They seek songs with strong commercial potential, focusing on catchy melodies, relatable lyrics, and broad appeal. But there’s more to it. Here are the factors that songwriters need to consider.
1. Write something new.
According to an article on Song Town, you need to focus on writing songs that fill gaps in their catalog. Too often, songwriters approach publishers who already work with similar styles. However, the publisher likely already has writers covering that territory.
Instead, seek out publishers in your genre who lack someone with your unique style. If a publisher hears your music and feels it fills a niche they're missing, your songs will be more attractive. Staying true to your voice and being original will make you stand out.
In an article from BMI, these “new” songs are something that “belong on playlists of successful songs in specified styles—songs with universal appeal that have a new lyric angle and a fresh melodic or rhythmic approach, [that] grab attention—in a good way; songs that push the envelope—not toss it out.”
2. It must have quality.
Music publishers place a high value on quality. A well-crafted song with strong structure, memorable hooks, and polished production is far more likely to catch a publisher's attention.
They look for songs that demonstrate a high level of songwriting skill, including lyrical depth, melodic sophistication, and emotional resonance. Quality songs are those that can withstand the test of time, appealing to both contemporary audiences and future listeners, making them valuable assets in a publisher's catalog.
3. Collaborate with other artists.
This increases your chances of securing cuts and makes you more appealing to publishers. When you already have artist relationships, publishers see a better potential return on investment since you're more likely to land cuts on those artists' albums. Begin by collaborating with local, talented artists who have the potential for future success.
4. It must have an impact.
According to Carla Wallace is the co-owner and CEO of Big Yellow Dog Music, “I look for songs that I can’t listen through the whole song without stopping it to hear it over again before I’ve even finished the chorus. I love artists that are rooted in a nostalgic sound but maybe they don’t know it’s within them. To me every writer or artist I’ve worked with reminds me of something I’ve loved about the music I grew up listening to.”
A song with impact grabs attention and leaves a lasting impression on listeners, whether through powerful lyrics, a memorable melody, or emotional resonance. Publishers look for songs that can evoke strong feelings, create a connection with the audience, and stand out in a crowded market.
Want to Sell Your Music Royalties?
Music publishers seek songs with strong commercial potential, quality, originality, and impact. These criteria are what investors on Royalty Exchange look for when purchasing music catalogs.
If you're looking to sell some or all of your music catalog for a great price, Royalty Exchange is the best platform that allows you to maintain control of your future work. By selling your catalog to investors, you receive immediate financial support, and help you advance your career on your own terms.
Unlike traditional labels, Royalty Exchange allows you to keep ownership of future songs, giving you the financial freedom to advance your career while retaining creative control.
You can also easily connect to a large pool of investors through the platform’s Instant Offer feature. As investor interest drives up offers, these artists can maximize the value of their royalties by receiving competitive offers in their investor network.
But don’t worry if you’re not familiar with how your royalties work. Royalty Exchange has prepared a guide for various financing options available to musicians. You can learn how to receive immediate cash advances based on your projected future royalties from a variety of sources from sound recording royalties to performance and mechanical royalties.
Check out the hundreds of catalogs that are up for auction today, and see how you can make your own catalog available to investors. Register now to get started.
Discover why so many artists today are using Royalty Exchange for their music catalog.
