The typical path for songs that get on major label releases is:
Songwriter > Publisher > A&R Rep from label, Producer, or other important contact. There are exceptions, but rare. It has become more common over the last several decades for artists to write their own material. So that makes it even more difficult.
Indie artists might be a little easier to get at. Publishers still play a big role I would guess though. But I think it's a little more wide open here though. Unfortunately, it would be my guess that even a bigger % of indie artists write their own stuff.
Undiscovered talent is another option. If you just happen to know some people in some kick ass bands, you could work a deal with them to give them performance rights to your songs, you never know...they could end up getting a major or indie deal and there you are.
If you are writing lyrics only...that is a tough sell. No one really wants a half finished song. If that is the case, I suggest you hookup with someone and co-write. Pick someone who is good at writing the music part. Co-writing is a neat experience (one that I have just discovered recently). Definitely a good way to go, at least for awhile, for just about anyone.
I would also suggest finding a copy of "The Songwriter's Market". This book has listings for publishers so all genres all over the world (mostly in the US though). You can start beating the pavement and sending song demos out. WARNING...DO NOT SHOT GUN YOU DEMOS TO ANYONE AND EVERYONE. Call them up and get permission to send a demo in. Most publishers reject unsolicited material without even looking at it. Actually, I think it tells you in that book who accepts unsolicted material and who doesn't.
Start doing your own research. What kind of music do you mostly write? Is there an area in the country where most of that genre is produced? For me it is Nashville...and here I am. Major music centers are LA, NY & Nashville, but there are other areas that get hot at different times (like Seattle, Dallas...). Get the yellow pages for those areas you are interested in and start looking up publishing companies and call to get permission to submit and submission requirements.
Do your homework. The most important part of this is to write a killer song. There are so many "good" songs out there, that the only way to really break in as a writer is to come in with not one, not two, not three...but several "good" to "killer songs. That will get you noticed quicker. Study songwriting. As much as some folks don't like it, the only way to really make money as a songwriter is to write something other people want to listen to again & again & again. Study the craft. Learn how a good song is written. Learn the rules of you genre. Learn about song structure. Learn about rhyme schemes. Once you master those...then IMHO, you are qualified to break those rules when there is good reason.
Write, write, write, write.... Even the most successful writers have more commercially unsuccessful songs than successful ones. Once you learn the basics, you would be doing well to have one really good song out of 10 written. That ratio may be trimmed a bit as you gain experience, but not by a lot.
OK...I think I wrote enough. I hope some of the verbal diarrhea above helps
Oh & welcome
