Hi Heather,
Marketing Songs is totally different than marketing Poetry and/or Prose.
The key is getting your songs accepted for Publication and that usually requires a quality demo of your material.
If you are established, you might be able to get an Agent to approach Publishers but for a beginner the best option is to find and approach Publishers yourself, most probably by using The Songwriter's Market yearbook at:
http://www.dcmusicstore.com/2007-Songwriters-Market-book to give you an idea what individual Song Publishers are looking for.
You might also check the following site:
http://www.songwritersresourcenetwork.com/page3.html
for links to information on:
* Songwriting tips from music-industry pros
* Advice on how to market your songs, find song publishers and learn the music business
* How to write songs that sell and make money in the music business
* Helpful advice on all aspects of songwriting, tips on lyric writing and music composition
* Tips on how to connect with music producers, recording artists and song publishers
* Songwriting organizations and associations
* Song contests and events for songwriters
*Tips on how to succeed in the music business as a songwriter, lyric writer or composer
In any case, be aware that it's a VERY tough game, because, even if you get a Song Published, you still have to depend on that Publisher to get the song recorded professionally and released, and even that is no guarantee of success.
Even for performers, whose main goal is recording contracts with sale of songs as a secondary consideration, much of the success in the industry is a matter of LUCK, (depending on being in the right place at the right time) regardless of the quality of your performance or of the songs you write.
I don't say this to discourage you but to give you an objective view of the problems involved. Hope this answers at least some of your questions.
Good Luck,
Jim Hoye, (JRH)
