Stan:
My first cuts came in bands I was in back in the '70s. Then I started producing records in Montreal - French Canadian things and my own singles. Then, I got a Long John Baldry cut and a Larry Evoy thing (obscure, but encouraging).

In the '80s I had an A&R, staff-production gig at a label/production co. in L.A. Lots of activity came from that - Beach Boys, Heart, Cheap Trick, Vanilla Fudge, Outlaws. I was lucky - in the right place, right time. It's all about relationships.

It's important to develop good professional song-craft (which I did by trial and error, and by writing with great artists). But, most of my success has come because some decision maker involved in a project had a reason to prefer my song over some stranger's song.

Unfortunately, there's no direct correlation between the effort you put into your writing and the number of cuts or amount of money you make. There's a lot of mystery and serendipity that goes into becoming a successful writer. But, if you're prepared when opportunity knocks, you'll be in position to sustain a decent career.
RB

Rand Bishop
Songwriter/producer/author