Music is one of the oldest and most popular art forms in the whole world. If you go out, it is quite difficult to find a single person who does not like or listen to any kind of music. On top of that music can be found everywhere, from nature to our phones. This is why although the demand for music will be high at all times, the competitive nature of the music industry is heightening. Now, especially with digital streaming, artists have the opportunity to reach out to any corner of the world in minutes, helping them out with a wide audience pool. This at the same time increases competition just to get to the limelight. In this case, working with a record label would work better for the career as it comes with loads of promotion and marketing.
To get the attention of record labels, artists can submit their music to the official labels which can be a pretty intimidating move for their careers. The music is blood, sweat, and tears and no matter how talented you think you are, or how confident you are in your music, there is no way of knowing how the label would react. So to clarify the situation a little bit, here is how you should submit your music to the record label that increases your chances of getting a positive response.
1. Preparing a clean demo
Submitting your demo to the record label starts with preparing a clean demo that you can actually submit. Having a clean and solid demo increases your chances of getting a positive response. While recording, you don't need to have fancy musical equipment but don't trust your phone alone either. You can either go to a professional studio or like many other independent artists, set up a home studio or use it to record your demo. Recording a demo at your home is completely acceptable as long as the sound is clear and levels are mixed properly. It does not need to be perfect, but make sure it reflects your talent, loud, and clear. Remember, the demo is your chance to make the best first impression on the professionals who might work with you in the future.
2. Detect and jot down record labels that you find interesting
After you are done preparing a clean demo of your music, it is time to note down the record labels you find interesting and would want to work with. There is no point in sending the demo to a bunch of record labels without putting in the work first. When you find a record label that goes with your music style and genre, you are more likely to get a response from them. For this to be done, stick to the following steps -
• Discover your music style
The first step that you need to follow in order to move forward in your career and deal with a record label is to discover what kind of music you make. Discovering your music genre and style will help you narrow down the record labels that would be interested in signing you. The music industry often uses music genres to pitch new artists to the international market. No matter how bad that sounds, it is the reality and many artists were pushed to make pop or rap, the generally popular music genres as they were more profitable. Some artists and their music were also forced to have general labeling as doing it otherwise would make their market down. But not every record label is like that. So you need to narrow down your style first and then search for the record labels that work with artists of similar genres or styles.
• Stage of the musical project
The next step in this journey is to find and define which stage you are in for the musical project. This follows answers to questions like is this your debut or have you released music in the past? This is important in figuring out which record labels you need to approach as some of these like to sign emerging and aspiring artists, while others focus on signing artists who have an already established fan base.
• Your expectations from the record label
While searching for record labels that you want to work with it is important to know what exactly you want from them. Do you want the label to take on the production aspect of your project? Or are you giving them a finished musical project that needs help with promotion and marketing? Not every record label does the same job, so you need to know what you want from the label in order to offer them a pitch.
• Peers in the industry
Another great way to find record labels that go with your music style or genre is to find similar indie artists to you and look for the labels they are working with. Look for artists who you admire and have made it big, or artists who are currently ravishing the local music scene. Everyone starts from somewhere, look where they started!
3. Contacting a record label professionally
Now that you have done your research and narrowed down the record labels you want to pitch to, it is time to officially approach them.
i) Online platforms to submit music
There are several online submission platforms on the internet that you can use to submit your music to record labels. Now with a more digitally advanced music industry, many record labels have their own online submission form that you will get on their official website. Use these to send a professional pitch with the demo.
ii) Social Media
Since social media has become the next big thing in the discovery of new musical talents, you can also use the power of social media to reach out to them, making them interested in your music. Many record labels have a presence on popular social media sites like Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, etc. You can take this opportunity to post your music and tag the record label asking them to check you out.
iii) Severe networking
Networking can give you deals like no other! If you meet the record label agents or talent scouts personally and form a connection, you might have the chance to get signed to one of the record labels. Attend local music events, networking events, and conferences to meet new and relevant people in the industry. Don't shy away from actually talking to them and forming connections as you never know which connection can lead to a record label signing you.
iv) Direct contact
Some record labels put their official mail addresses on their websites so if you manage to get one, don't hesitate to send that mail out. Briefly present your project along with yourself. Also, make sure you insert a short but captivating artist biography in your pitch.
v) Promotional services
Another way to get the attention of record labels is to make them hear your music somewhere else. One way of doing that is to make your truck viral and gain as much attention as it can. You can use music promotional services to increase your visibility as an artist and get your music heard by genuine listeners. Organic marketing might lead you to the door of record labels, helping you get signed.
4. Learning demo policies
Before you actually go out of your way to send the music demo, you need to learn the demo policies these record labels have. Once you have shortlisted the labels you are interested in, it is time to know what their policies are on the demo. Some labels, especially bigger and well-known labels do not accept unsolicited demos from artists for legal reasons. This has happened way too many times an artist sends an unsolicited song to the label and then later sues the label for stealing the material. To further avoid this, most record labels have demo policies that are displayed on their sites. It is your job to find out whether the record label accepts unsolicited demos, and what are their acceptable demo formats, (mp3 clips, CDs, or thumb drives).
5. How to send your music to the record labels?
As you figure out how to contact the record labels, it is time to know how you send your demo to them.
i) Private links
The easiest way to send your music as a demo to record labels is by uploading it on YouTube or SoundCloud as a private link. This is a far better choice than sending MP3 or WAV files directly via email. Another advantage of sending your demo via a private link is that it is easily shareable. If one person from the label likes what they heard, they can pass it along, making the process of finalizing the deal faster.
ii) Personalized messages
While seeding your demo, don't forget to send a personalized message to each record label. Your message should include why you are contacting them particularly. This will show your considerate side of yours along with the fact that you know what you are talking about and why they should be interested in singing you as an emerging artist.
iii) Keep the pitch short and precise
Professionals who are working in the music recording industry do not have spare time to spend and read emails. So make sure you are concise and pitch the track the best way you can in just a few words. While crafting your pitch, think of your music as a product that you want to sell and make the professionals want to listen. You can include relevant details about the instruments, sound, subject matter, and the vibe, and keep the pitch in two to three sentences.
iv) Make it clear that it is a demo
Sometimes artists like to send demos, and sometimes they send finished products to get help with promotions and marketing. So if you are sending just a demo and not the finished product, make sure to mention that in the note. Another way to do that is to write (demo) in the parentheses when you upload your track to YouTube or SoundCloud to emphasize.
v) Make your intentions clear
In the mail, briefly mention what your intentions are and what response you are looking for from the label. Are you looking for an opportunity to sign a contract or are you just looking for feedback for the demo? Or are you looking for ways the label can help you properly develop and promote your music career? Make whichever intention you have, clear. Contacting a record label with “Hi, check this out” is not enough, you need to make clear what you want from them and direct them in that direction.
vi) Present the music with a professional submission package
When you are ready to send your demo to the recording office, you must put together a professional submission package. This package should include your music, a cover letter, a press kit, and any other relevant material. The cover should be to the point and concise and introduce your music along with your artist profile. Here you can also put why you think the label should be interested in working with you. The press kit should include relevant information about your artist profile, namely your background, who influences you, and your goal as an artist in the musical world.
6. The art of following up
Once you send the demo to the record labels do not think your work here is done. You also need to follow up to make sure that they have received them and request their advice or opinion. If the record label already has a demo follow-up policy on their website, make sure you stick to that. Otherwise, opt for an email after a month you have sent the demo to them. It may take months for the label to actually play the demo you have sent them, but an occasional and friendly email might help your music stand out unless you have been told differently from the label. Above all, don't try to guilt-trip the A&R staff because they have not listened to the music yet, stick to professional emails.
7. Steel yourself and answer no matter what
Sending out demos might not always bring you the desired answer, so it can get a little frustrating. It will happen often that despite your follow-up, you will not get an answer, not even a simple "no". You are also likely to hear a lot of "no"s so don't despair. It only takes a "yes" from someone. So when you receive a "no" from someone, make sure to ask for advice, feedback, or suggestions on how to improve, and for other record labels who might be interested in your music.
At the same time, if you hear “no” from a label, that does not mean you have to completely scratch them off of your list. If you record a new set of songs, it is perfectly okay to send them a new demo even if they have rejected you in the past.
However, the most important thing is to never give up. You will hear a lot of “no”, but it is that one “yes'' that you are searching for. Sure, it will get frustrating, it will get exhausting, but what if the next demo that you send out ends up being the one?!
