Not only because there are only a few, but mostly because they do'nt advertise to the world because their clientel is inside the industry. As a matter of fact, most people do not even know that there is such a business as music publishing. Publishers do not appear at the Grammies and they do not stand in the spotlight when a song hits the charts. But reality is that without the Publisher, that hit song would probably never have had the chance to get to the recording stage. Active publishers are always on the look out for good songs.
Active publishers are in the business of getting songs recorded.
Many successfull artists started their career as songwriters, launched by a publisher. Michael Bolton is only one of the many examples. Once other artists record your songs, record labels will automatically begin showing interest in your capabilities as a performer. This is why it is a good idea to instead of to get a band off the ground, play the clubs, spend tons of money on demorecordings and mailouts, telephone bills and equipment, to submit your ideas to an active publisher. The Copyright Laws in the USA and similar Laws in virtually every other Country of the world require that compensation be paid to copyright owners for the public performance of their works.