Showcase & Promotion

[Thr33]

1. Do Your Research
Before you start sending out your demo, you need to compile a list of labels who might be interested in hearing it. Sending your hip hop demo to an indie rock label is a waste of time and money. What bands do you like? What labels are they on? What labels deal with the kind of music you play? Spend some time online researching artists you consider to be similar to yourself and the labels that work with them. that way, your demo will land in the hands of people who "get" what you're doing.

2. Learn Demo Policies
One you have your short list of labels, you need to learn each label's policy on demos. Some labels, especially larger labels, will not accept unsolicited demos for legal reasons - they worry about people sending them demos, and then later suing them, claiming their songs have been stolen. Most labels have demo policies clearly displayed on their sites. Find out:

• Are unsolicited demos accepted?
• Acceptable demo formats (CD, mp3 clips)
• Demo mailing address
• Is there a specific demo (A&R) rep to whom you should address your package?
• Follow up rules - OK to call? OK to email?

3. Keep it Short and Sweet
Remember, even small labels are inundated with demos, and many labels do listen to everything they get. Making their job easier will only help your case. Your demo package should include:

• A short demo. Go for two to three of your best songs. Anything longer won't get listened to.
• Your demo should be clearly labeled with your name and email address (NOT your number - you're more likely to get a response via email).
• SHORT band bio. Keep it on subject and to the point. No need to go for "My parents have known since birth I would be a musician..."
• Press clippings, if available

4. Follow Up
Once you have sent your demo out to labels, you need to follow up with the labels to make sure they have received them, and to solicit their opinions. If the label has a demo follow up policy on their website, make sure you stick to that. Otherwise, an email a month after you have sent the demo is a good place to start. It may take months for a label to actually get around to playing your demo, but a friendly, occasional email will help your demo stand out from the pack. Unless you have been told differently by the label, DON'T call. It puts people on the spot and won't win you any friends. Stick to email.

5. Steel Yourself
Sending out demos can be a little frustrating. Often, despite your best attempts at a follow up, you just won't even hear back from some people. You are also likely to hear "no" a lot. Don't despair. If you hear "no" from someone, ask for feedback, advice, and suggestions of other labels who may like your music. Again, you won't get this advice from everyone, but asking never hurts, and you may end up with the piece of advice that turns everything around for you. Treat every "no" as a chance to learn something that could turn that "no" into a "yes" in the future.

6. Keep in Touch
When you do hear "no" from a label, that doesn't mean you have to scratch them off your list. Include labels you like on your emailing list, with their permission, to let them know what is happening with your band, and if you record a new round of songs, it is perfectly fine to send a new demo to a label that has rejected you in the past. If you're playing a show in the town in which a particular label is based, invite them to the show. Getting people to know your name is half the battle.

[AAJH]

great piece of info. cheers for this :)

[Thr33]

astralwerks demo policy

1) Please send your music in CD format.

2) Please include any pertinent information including your group name, track titles, names of members, bio, background, successes and any contact info.

3) NO PHONE CALLS.

4) Our address is:

Astralwerks Records
A+R Department
150 5th Avenue, NY, NY 10011

Please keep in mind that we are a busy label, so do not expect immediate feedback. We will contact those whom we are excited about. Bear in mind that as long as you believe in what you do, you need to keep at it whether we "get it" or not.

Thanks again,
Astralwerks A & R

...for anyone who dosnt know who Astralwerks are they now sign all tracks by such artists as David Guetta, Swedish House Mafia, Chemical Brothers, Hot Chip, Kylie Minogue and more!

[forest152z]

Also...don't ;) As it, get a properly mixed track, mastered and everything and go to the record labels with a completed product. If you're good, your'll be surprised how keen they'll be to chat to you then...saves them the kitty kash :)

[ManuelDerErste]

thx for the infos! :)

[DJ T.O.B]

amazing thread right here
ill def. sav. it down to my favourites and get back at it when contacting artists
thx :)

[ScreamForever]

Thanks

[Nihal]

Getting a job is hard enough for me. This sounds like a lot of work and when successful, your fame (if you are even lucky here) would pay off almost everything in your life.