What a Hit Publisher Wants: Lessons from Elizabeth Brahan

By Clay Mills, SongTown Co-Founder

I had the pleasure of sitting in on a Zoom meeting led by hit publisher Elizabeth Brahan, and wow—there was so much wisdom dropped, I just had to share it with you.

Elizabeth works every day with rising artists, A&R teams, and major labels, and she’s in the trenches pitching songs to the biggest names in country and beyond. If your dream is to write songs that artists actually want to record, lean in—this one’s for you.

1. TikTok Isn’t for Everyone—But It’s Vital for Observing Artists

One of the biggest myths Elizabeth busted was that every songwriter needs a TikTok account. Truth is, if you’re not trying to be an artist, you don’t need to post your own content there.

*Use TikTok as a research tool, not a platform for self-promotion (unless you’re an artist-writer).

What matters most is watching what works for rising artists—what kinds of songs they post, their aesthetic, the production styles—and using that to inform your own writing.

“TikTok is my songwriter’s bible now,” Elizabeth said. “It’s where I go to observe what to pitch to artists.”

2. Want to Co-Write with Artists? DM Early.

Aspiring writers asked how to break into co-writing with up-and-coming artists. Her answer? Be early. Really early.

*New artists—before they blow up—are often accessible. Many don’t live in Nashville and are looking for collaborators. That’s your window.

Don’t wait for them to get signed. Hit them up when they’re just beginning to buzz.

“You only need one person to say yes,” Elizabeth reminded the group. “Your chair is no different than Ray Fulcher’s was when he DM’d Luke Combs.”

3. How Publishers Find Writers (Hint: It’s Not Through Social Media)

Contrary to what many think, publishers like Elizabeth aren’t combing through social media looking for the next hit writer. They find writers through:

• Buzz around town
• Songwriter rounds
• Recommendations from trusted industry friends
• Writers who already landed a cut with another artist

So instead of focusing on going viral, focus on writing great songs and getting them heard by the right people.

4. Don’t Wait Forever on a Pitch

A songwriter asked about a song a publisher had been holding for over a year with no deal. Elizabeth’s take?

“If it’s not with an artist, don’t wait. Keep pitching it.”

Time is valuable. Unless a cut is imminent, keep your songs moving.

5. Today’s Country = Fusion

There was a lively discussion about where country music is headed. Elizabeth acknowledged the blending of hip-hop, rock, and pop influences—and how it’s changing the sound of modern country.

While she’s not convinced the rap-country trend is more than a phase just yet, she’s watching it closely. What matters most?

“Is it authentic? Is it different? That’s what sticks.”

Whether it’s FGL fusing country and EDM, or new artists mashing up emo-country and hip-hop, originality and authenticity are still what break through.

Final Wisdom from Elizabeth

At the end of the session, Elizabeth left writers with this:

“A ‘no’ is not a no. It’s a ‘maybe later.’”

Don’t get discouraged. Keep pitching. Keep writing. Keep learning. And most importantly—set goals and track them.

“If you don’t set goals,” she said, “you just float. Even checking off small goals builds momentum.”

Couldn’t have said it better myself.

Write on,
~Clay