the Songwriters Coalition
Step-by-Step Details on setting up your Free account...

The following step-by-step details are designed to assist you in setting up your FREE Songwriters Coalition member account. The process is really not difficult, however, do be prepared to spend some time learning the ins and outs of the procedures. Our service offers lots of great features, so we encourage you to try out the different options to design your web space to your liking.

Step 2
• You will be taken to the "user sign-up" page. You will see a few fields that you need to fill in here.
  
  
• User Name is the User Name that you will use to log in with. This will NOT be the name of your band, or your name as a Songwriter. This is just a name to log in to the Songwriters Coalition with.
  
  
• Password is exactly what it sounds like - Your password. Be sure to choose a secure password that no one will guess! "joe" is NOT a secure password. "maple" is NOT a secure password. "apple3614" is more secure than the previous two, but it's still fairly insecure. Something like "r4T5ghU2" is a very secure password.
  
  
• You'll need to enter your Password again in the Repeat Password field to verify that is is correct.
  
  
• E-mail Address is your e-mail address. You will NOT receive any unsolicited advertisement e-mails from Songwriters Coalition, and your e-mail will only be used to contact you if there are any problems. You may also receive automated messages regarding your account. This e-mail address will not be viewable by the public and e-mail harvesting programs (that take your e-mail address and send you junk mail), although anyone can send you an e-mail through our secure contact system.
  
  
• This must be a valid e-mail address! You must be able to receive e-mail on the e-mail address you entered, otherwise you will not be able to successfully register your account!
  
  
• You will need to confirm your e-mail address in the next field as well, just to verify that you have inputted the e-mail address you wish to use.
  
  
• Songwriter Name is the name of your group, band, or you as the Songwriter. This is not the same as your username! This will be the name that you will be known by and that will be displayed on the Songwriters Coalition website and your member web space.
  
  
• User Language is the language that you speak and are most comfortable with. There are 10 different languages available, so please choose the one that you are most experienced with. Please do keep in mind that you are expected to know basic English in order to fully enjoy the site, as English is currently the only language it is written for.
  
  
• Next, you MUST proceed in reading the Legal Terms and Conditions. These are extremely important for you to read, and all new Songwriters are required to abide by these rules or will face termination of their account and our services to them. If you don't read, understand, and abide by these rules, your account may be terminated with little or no notice, so that's why it is vital for you to read them!
  
  
• Lastly, click the "I ACCEPT THE AGREEMENT- SIGN ME UP" button and, provided you've entered all of the fields, an e-mail will be sent to you with further instructions.

Step 3

• Assuming all goes well, you will be taken to a success page.
  
  
• At this point, you must check your e-mail at the e-mail address you chose upon registration. The title of the e-mail you're looking for is "the Songwriters-Coalition(tm) New Artist Validation".
  
  
• Open that message, and then click the link inside to validate your account, allowing you to log in to the members section!
  
  
• If you can't click the link, it doesn't work successfully, or the URL is on split lines - simply highlight the link, press the CTRL key and C at the same time (that's the shortcut for COPY), then go to your internet browser and in the Address bar, press the CTRL key and V at the same time (that's the shortcut for PASTE), then press Enter and it should work.

Step 4

• You can now log in to the members section by clicking on the "Click Here to log in" link on the SUCCESS page. Enter the User Name and Password you chose when registering, then click Login and you will be logged in!
  
  
• You can check the "Remember Me" box to store your login information on your computer so you don't have to log in again. This is not recommended if you are using a computer that is used by multiple people, such as an office or library.

== Songwriter menu================
-- Modify Songwriter ---------------

• Here you can change your details as a Songwriter.
  
  
• Songwriter ID and Songwriter Name are both unchangeable.
  
  
• Songwriter URL name is the name that you can use in your link to your member's web space -
  ie: http://www.songwriters-coalition.com/songwriters/YOUR_URL_Name.
  
  
• Member(s) is a place to list any organizations that you have membership in - ie: ASCAP, BMI...
  
  
• Location is where you are located. It's sorted by Continent, then Country, then State or Province.
  
  
• Influences is where you can enter those songwriters, musicians, and bands that have influenced your writing style..
  
  
• Sounds Like is where you can enter what existing band, group, or artist your songs sound like. You can separate multiple choices by using commas -
  ie: john lennon, the beatles, steely dan (you get the idea...)
  
  
• Background/Story is where you can tell the viewer a bit about yourself or your band. Tell your story, your experiences, your travels, and everything you've gone through to get to this point.
  
  
• Show Song Count can be set to either Yes or No. We recommend you set it to Yes, then the total number of your Songs plays will be shown - and you'll be listed on the main website; if it's set to No, then the total number of your Songs plays will not be shown, and you will not show up in any of our listings on the website.
  
  
• Upload New Songwriter Image will let you upload a graphic from your computer to symbolize your group. A picture of yourself and/or band members is a good thing to use, or if you have a symbol or other form of abstract art, you can use that instead. This will be shown on various pages. Your graphic should be 200 px by 200 px for optimal presentation. It can be in the following formats: .png, .jpg, and .gif
  
  
• If you do not have access to an image - you can also select an image from our Gallery of over 100 photos to use as your New Songwriter Image. You can do this by clicking "Launch Image Browser", and selecting one you like from the window that pops up.
  
  
• When you've completed entering your information, simply click Modify Artist to save the changes. And, remember, you can always come back to this screen and make changes in the future. The only variables that you can not change are Songwriter ID and Songwriter Name.
  
  
• At this point, you can view your member's web space by clicking on the "VIEW YOUR SITE" link located in the left hand navigation panel of your Songwriter menu page.

-- Create Song -------------------

• Here is where you add your songs to your account. You'll need to have the song you wish to upload already on your computer as either an .mp3, .wma, or .ogg file.
  
  
• Song Name is the name of this song that you are creating to showcase on your web space.
  
  
• Credits is the place you can list your copyright information -
  ie: (c)2005 Your Name Here - though not required, it's a good idea to post your copyright info here.
  
  
• New Album is where you can name your CD that offers your song - if you have one. Otherwise, you can just leave this blank..
  
  
• Label - If you have signed with a record label you can note that here.
  
  
• Genre is the style of music this song falls under. Choose one that represents your song.
  
  
• Lyrics is where you can enter the lyrics of the song, if any. The lyrics of your song can be viewed by visitors who choose to listen to your song.
  
  
• Song Information is where you can provide details of the song, or maybe even a backstory or why you wrote it - maybe what inspired you.
  
  
• The Explicit Lyrics box should be checked if the song you're uploading has any explicit lyrics that wouldn't be appropriate without a warning. Songs with excessive offensive language, sexual themes, or violence are not allowed even if this box checked - read our Legal Terms of Service.
  
  
• Hide Song can be checked if you wish for this song to be hidden from being displayed on your page.
  
  
• No Radio is not relevant because we do not offer radio stations.
  
  
• Upload HiFi Song File is the place to select the song file you want on your web space. Click the Browse button to locate and select the file on your computer.
  
  
• HiFi Listener Access is set as default - Streaming Only... this is what we recommend!
  
  
• Upload LoFi Song File is not necessary because we will automatically create a LoFi version (for listeners on dial-up internet access) of your song.
  
  
• LoFi Listener Access is again best to leave at the default of Streaming Only.
  
  
• Upload Song Image - If you do not have access to an image - you can also select an image from our Gallery of over 100 photos to use as your Song Image. You can do this by clicking "Launch Image Browser", and selecting one you like from the window that pops up.
  
  
• When you've completed entering your information and selecting your sound and image file, simply click the Add New Song button to create your new song - right here, online in your member's webspace. And, remember, you can always come back to this screen and make changes in the future.
  
  
• If you use dial-up it can take 5 minutes or more (depending on the file sizes you have selected) for your song and image files to be uploaded, so please be patient.
  
  
• When the upload is complete you will see a SUCCESS page... congratulations... you have now created your first online song addition to your member's web space.
  
  
• At this point, you can view your member's web space by clicking on the "VIEW YOUR SITE" link located in the left hand navigation panel of your Songwriter menu page.
  
  
• Simply repeat the above steps to create additional online songs.

Your account has 50 megabytes of storage for your sound files and images... that's around 10 - 12 songs you will be able to showcase at any one time. You can always switch out the songs you showcase, simply by deleting songs you already have in your member's web space - and then adding new ones. It's up to you!

Now, that you know how to setup your new account, and create new songs, we encourage you to try out our message system and shop option. Simply enter the requested information and thrill at the results.