PART 2 CCLI=MANNA from HEAVEN
Some of this is review. If you write songs that are what I call, Church Congregation Friendly (songs that are sung in Church by the congregation), you definitely need to be registered with CCLI.
As I shared last time, here’s their quote about who they are:
“Christian Copyright Licensing International (CCLI) was established in 1988 to provide churches with simple, affordable solutions to complex copyright issues. CCLI helps churches maintain their integrity and avoid costly lawsuits, while also giving churches the freedom to worship expressively and spontaneously.”
The part you should be interested in is, “affordable solutions.” That’s where your MANNA from HEAVEN is. Churches and other organizations pay CCLI a fee so they can use songs listed with them without a problem with copyright issues. It’s a win, win deal. The win for you is that a portion of what CCLI receives is paid to you, depending on the use of your song(s). But the secret is…YOU MUST BE REGISTERED WITH CCLI!
My CCLI Story
My first song publication was in 1968 with Hope Publishing Company. At that time there was no CCLI. That was 20 years before they existed. During that time, I wrote hundreds of songs, mostly for church choir. I was rewarded by receiving a royalty from various publishers. Some you might be familiar with are Word, Benson, Lorenz, Crescendo, Abingdon, & LifeWay. Recently, Hal Leonard Publishing has been added to the list. They are the largest publisher of print music in the world. Though I may be up there in years (born in 1943), I am a young spirit and remain current in my musical endeavors. What a joy it has been and remains even to this day.
Anyway, Valleta (my lovely wife) saw the CCLI potential and pursued it. What a pleasant difference it has made in our ministry as Indies. In one of my resent statements from CCLI, I had over 100 songs that had been listed as being used the previous six months. The amazing thing was that only a few of them involved the listed publishers above. Most of the songs were copyrights I owned and promoted as an INDIE. How ‘bout that! I out scored the majors! You can too!
HERE’S HOW I DID IT & STILL DO
1) I’m a very busy person, so I do my best to make the most of every moment. I carry a small hand recorder almost everywhere I go and sing whatever comes to mind. Often, worship songs are birthed from start to finish in this way. Another way I write is through notational software. I use FINALE. I just open the program, sing something in my head and click a few keys until it looks right.
2) Once the song comes into being, I make a lead sheet (melody, words & chords). Valleta will tell you that this is absolutely necessary if you plan on getting churches to use your music. Ministers of Music (Worship Leaders), for the most part, need something to look at and play from. Regardless of how I write the song (by way of hand recorder or notational software), it will end up going through my FINALE program for a professional looking lead sheet.
3) Then, I make an informal recording of the song. Sometimes it’s just me and a keyboard or guitar…other times it’s a recording from a worship service. From the recording I make a mp3. This is important for email attachments.
4) Next, I register the song with CCLI online. I have access by way of a user ID and a password. After you do it a time or two, you’ll catch on. In this process there is a place where you enter the key it’s written in and what the theme is. There’s also a place to type in the lyrics. If your song is new or not getting that much attention, your lyrics will not be visible on their website unless you pay an extra fee. I WOULDN’T PAY IT! I think they charge an extra 50 bucks per song (that‘s crazy, no manna there). To me it’s just not worth it. In the beginning, you most likely will have songs that make just a few dollars per song. The MANNA FLOW comes as you have several songs that make a few dollars each. Get the picture? So you ask, how is anyone going to know my song if they can’t see the words on the CCLI website? On to the next point.
5) After CCLI lists the song by title and number on their site, I cut and past the CCLI number into the lead sheet through my FINALE program. In my opinion, regardless how you do it, the CCLI number needs to be on the lead sheet somewhere.
6) Next, I make a PDF (public document file) of the lead sheet so that it can be emailed as an attachment and can be opened on any computer. There are free PDF software downloads. Just do a search. If you can’t find one, the software isn’t that expensive. I bought mine for $25.
7) Finally, I’m ready to promote my song to my friends, but especially Ministers of Music (Worship Leaders). These are the guys that most likely determine what will be sung at church. Go to Face Book and join anything that has to do with Christian Music, Ministers of Music, Worship Leaders, Choral Directors, etc. Check out iLevite. One of their focuses is ministers of music. Bill Rayborn is the founder…one of the good guys, like Keith Mohr.
Friends that support your ministry are great channels for you. Get them to wart the Levites (song leaders, worship leaders, etc) until they pay attention to your song! Send a PDF and mp3 attachment and allow them to make copies for the choir, praise team, or even the congregation. The only thing you request is that they report CCLI use when applicable.
8) When I am a guest worship leader or give a Praise and Worship “concert,“ I have the church make copies of the songs I plan to use. Then, about an hour or so before the service, I meet with the praise team/choir to practice. When I leave, I leave the music with the church and encourage the Worship Leader to use my songs. Again, as before, I ask that he report to CCLI their use when applicable. Wow…I just made a new MANNA CONTACT and it cost me nothing but the effort.
9) Lastly, I try to be consistent in developing my supporters and my ministry base list.
If you get the above cycle going, you are on your way to receiving CCLI MANNA from HEAVEN. It’s there and God wants you to experience it.
As usual, if you have any questions about this discussion, or need a shoulder to cry on, feel free to email Valleta (laugh). She’s the one that keeps things together around here and the reason we’re experiencing the CCLI MANNA from HEAVEN.
valleta@thelaniercompany.com
Blessings,
Gary
Gary Lanier
www.garylanier.com
