The Co-Writing Effect
April 8th, 2007 by Lior ShamirI bet you know at least one person in the music business that may, one day, contribute to your success. I will assume that you have played your music to this person at least once, perhaps work with this person from time to time, and think of this person when you have great new material. Whether you know a tour manager, label executive, music publicist or experienced producer, I am sure you hold such a contact dear. It is safe to say that anyone working in the music business knows others in the business and boy would you like to get your music in their hands, right? Networking.
If only for a reaction and a little word-of-mouth, we want to be heard by as many people as possible, industry or not. Savvy musicians are already doing this by entering song contests, attending conferences, showcasing at festivals, chatting in forums etc. I propose that co-writing should be part of this mix.
When you write with another artist, you are automatically giving this person an incentive to talk about you. Consider that this artist has similar aspirations, wants and needs – more or less the same number of contacts – as you and will solicit his/her contacts to promote the song you collaborated on. Now there are TWO of you on the team hassling whoever it is that you know, be it your uncle