FAQ FOR NON-MEMBERS on NSAI

NSAI is a 501(c)6 not-for-profit trade association that offers a variety of services to professional and aspiring songwriters.

First and foremost, NSAI operates as a legislative advocacy group on behalf of songwriters. What does that mean? That means our organization FIGHTS for songwriters rights -- the right to be paid, to be taxed fairly, to be recognized and to protect the future profession of songwriting.
Second, NSAI teaches writers about the “craft” of writing. We teach you songwriting tips, provide songwriting tools, suggestions and ways to write the best song you possibly can. WE ALSO LISTEN TO YOUR SONGS
Third, NSAI teaches you about the Music Industry, how it works and how to position yourself and your song within the industry for the greatest possibility of achieving success.

Our expanded online services provide accessibility to members living outside of Nashville. You'll be able to take advantage of our song evaluation service, our live chats with Pro writers, our forums, our live and archived workshops/classes, and our more than 100 regional workshops.

NSAI membership costs $150 per year (12 months from the date you join). With your membership, you receive 12 FREE song evaluations (a market value of about $50 - $75 each), two FREE one-on-one mentoring sessions (a market value of about $150 each), FREE workshops including our archives that span more than two year's worth of classes, plus many other services. We are able to offer these services thanks to the generous support of the music industry community.

As a “not-for-profit” organization, NSAI does not refund membership fees. Within the FIRST MONTH of your NSAI membership, you will have access to our Workshop Archives that include more than two year's worth of instructional classes valued well over your initial membership fee. In addition, your membership fee helps our organization in its mission to educate, elevate and celebrate the songwriter, whose art form makes such a difference in all of our lives.

Yes, we do offer "Flex Pay". For Active membership you may pay 2 or 3 months of equal payments. We also offer "Flex Pay" for Lifetime Membership.

NSAI does not retain an “on staff” attorney, and we do not operate as a legal counsel service; however, our staff is knowledge and can answer most “general/standard” contract questions for members. Because we urge all songwriters to consult a qualified music attorney before entering into any contractual agreement, we can we refer members to free legal services and/or reputable music attorneys.

Co-writing is much like dating! It's all about the chemistry of two personalities. While we do not actually “set up” co-writing appointments, many NSAI members find co-writers through our various local workshops, our forums and our special events. In addition, we provide members with valuable tips on how to find co-writers right in your own home town and how to make that first co-write as successful as possible.

NSAI is not a song pitching company, however, many of our member’s songs are “pitched” on a quarterly basis to major publishers and label A&R representatives through our NSAI Song Evaluation Department and our “Ready to Pitch” service. Check out some of our recent success stories on our website! If your song is deemed ready to pitch, this service is FREE to you! Your NSAI membership legally allows us to listen to your song, play your song and promote your song if your song is ready to go to market. If you are NOT a member of NSAI, unfortunately, we cannot listen to your song.

Song critiques are one of the most valuable teaching tools a songwriter can experience. Even professional writers get feedback, suggestions and direction on a daily basis from their publishers. As a writer, you are crafting the melody, the lyric, the story, the rhyme scheme -- sometimes it can be very difficult to be objective about your own song. Other services members benefit from are the workshops, the one-on-one services, the invaluable contacts, direction and support in your songwriting career, not to mention the ongoing legislative support.

Unless you are an NSAI member, we cannot listen to your song. Your membership provides us with legal permission to listen.

Getting your songs “published” is a process; a series of steps that requires knowledge and preparation. Make certain that, when you get an opportunity to play your song for a publisher, your song is complete and well recorded. NSAI teaches our members about the various publishing processes and how to navigate through the publishing world with confidence. The first steps simplified would be to: 1) Join NSAI 2) Join one of the performing rights organizations (ASCAP/BMI/SESAC) 3) Invest in music business books that deal with publishing to get acquainted with how it works (see our website bookstore).

NSAI is not a company that “puts melodies” to words or poems. We encourage you to find a co-writer to help you with the musical portion of your song. NSAI does provide you with tips on how to find co-writers. Co-writing is a wonderful learning experience that creates not only great songs but also great personal relationships!

Though songs are often written from the inspiration of poems, the poem format usually does not make for a great song because of the differences in structure between poems and “commercial” songs. If songwriting is your goal, NSAI teaches you the structural difference between the vital art forms of poetry and songs. Companies that advertise “Send us your poems, and we will make them into a song” are usually companies without a real avenue for getting your song published with a legitimate publisher. Usually, a poem that has been converted into a song is not considered “marketable” for commercial purposes within the music industry.

NSAI has many artist-writers as members -- many of whom get an artist deal because of the exposure we offer to them and their music. Keep in mind, however, that NSAI is a songwriters trade association, meaning that we are song-focused. Writer development and artist development are two different approaches to the music business. If you are an artist and NOT a writer (and have no desire to write), NSAI membership is not for you.

16. What if I don’t have time to come to Nashville or money to pay for membership?

business you start requires some form of seed money and/or investment dollars. Remember that this is the music “business," and the bottom line is that it will require an investment of your time, energy, efforts and funds. To achieve success, you must be passionate and determined to let nothing stop you, including finances. Songwriters are creative, so be creative when it comes to making a way for your dreams to come true. Perhaps someone in your community believes in you enough to sponsor you.

Through networking opportunities and various programs, NSAI assists members in obtaining legitimate publishing opportunities such as single-song contracts. NSAI does not operate as a “broker” for the “selling” of songs. Publishing companies are interested in songs that provide an income stream. Your song will not have a substantial income stream unless it has been recorded by a major artist and has received radio airplay. Once your song is earning an income, then a publisher may be interested in purchasing the song (or perhaps your entire "catalog" of songs).

NSAI members have the opportunity to contact us directly by phone for reference information regarding any music businesses referral from recording companies, publisher references, attorney referrals, CD duplication and a variety of other music business related companies.

19. What is copyright? How do I copyright material? What is the difference between copyright notice and registration?

You can learn everything you need to know about copyright from the Library of Congress. You may access their website by clicking on this link: www.copyright.gov

NSAI offers a RED FLAG information page that provides members with tips for identifying “song sharks” - types of companies who are known to take advantage of songwriters. We also encourage you to check out any music organization through the Better Business Bureau or the Tennessee Department of Consumer Affairs.