Are you an aspiring musician yearning to make your mark in the music industry? Perhaps you’ve poured your heart and soul into creating tracks that you believe deserve a wider audience.
With so many people publishing music online these days, it is more complicated than ever to get the attention of music companies like independent labels.
Like all worthwhile things, getting a record label deal is a hard thing to do. The more success the label can bring you, the harder it will be to actually land a deal.
In this age of digital dominance, the classic snail-mail submission might seem super old school. However, it remains a viable option, especially for indie artists seeking a personal touch. When sending your music via mail, ensure that you present yourself professionally.
Include a well-crafted cover letter that introduces yourself, describes your musical style, and explains why you believe the label would be a great fit for your work.
Don’t forget to include a demo CD, USB drive, or vinyl record of your best tracks. Personalize each submission and research the label’s preferences and requirements to make your package stand out.
Face-to-face interactions can leave a lasting impression. If you have the opportunity to attend industry events, showcases, or networking parties where label representatives might be present, take advantage of it.
Prepare an elevator pitch that succinctly describes your music and why it’s worth their attention. Be confident, genuine, and open to feedback.
Remember that first impressions matter, so dress professionally and be courteous. In-person submissions allow you to establish a human connection, making it more likely for your music to be remembered among the multitude of submissions they receive.
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In today’s digital age, online submissions have become the norm. Digital submissions are efficient, cost-effective, and offer a global reach. Start by researching the labels you’re interested in and visit their official websites.
Most labels have submission guidelines on their sites, which might include specific email addresses or online submission forms.
Craft a compelling email that succinctly introduces yourself and your music. Attach high-quality audio files or provide accessible links to your streaming platforms or music-sharing websites.
When submitting digitally, professionalism is key. Be sure that your emails are well-written, free of grammatical errors, and get straight to the point. Remember, labels receive numerous submissions daily, so making your email concise yet impactful is crucial.
Also, make sure your online presence is polished; label executives often browse social media profiles and artist websites to get a better understanding of the artist's brand and potential.
Back in the day, you didn’t need much but talent and potential in order to grab the attention of an A&R or label scout.
A lot of time and money from a label was invested in the artist development process for fresh acts that needed to be groomed for the music world.
Now, with so much competition around, musical acts that bring a lot to the table usually outshine those who are talented but less prepared. It's hard for me to get noticed as a singer myself; it seems like everyone sings these days!
Here are some tips that will help you reach the top of the ladder among other musicians and artists who are on the front lines for opportunities.
If you want to impress someone with your music career, it’s best to grow a following of people who can vouch for you and who will back your brand.
Presenting yourself as an amazingly talented artist is not as effective as having hundreds or thousands of others who believe you are amazingly talented.
Start with loyal family, friends, and music lovers in your hometown who enjoy your style of music and build your fanbase from there.
As you gain listeners and fans, keep positive reviews and feedback from critical fans to share as a part of your music press kit.
Artists with many CDs and performances under their belt tend to be more talented and have a better overall image. This is usually because the artist has gone through their awkward phases and trial and error; they’ve found their groove, and it shows.
All performers and creatives tend to get better the more effort they put into their craft.
Suppose you’ve only done a couple of shows or have only released a few songs. In that case, it may be best to continue your journey to strengthen your confidence and abilities on your own before considering major promotional outlets to submit to, like record labels.
It’s easy to let the rush and excitement of your first few achievements get to your head, but be sure to master your art as best as you can by yourself!
Professional ears at a record label have the ability to spot potential in a demo that has average or below-average recording quality, but that doesn’t mean your potential will get you a deal.
There are two major reasons that average demo quality is not enough these days.
Since most labels accept digital submissions these days, the competition has gotten very stiff. A band that has the same appeal level as yours but was able to invest in a high-quality recording process will most likely beat your submission.
Secondly, since self-recording has become way more affordable online, the competition has become even more hectic.
A 14-year-old in his bedroom may be able to produce a demo song with higher quality than the one you recorded in a local studio. You don’t want to be one of the artists or bands that are getting outshined.
The same goes for your visual content. You should be able to get a pretty high-quality sound and visual with a good smartphone paired with some basic video editing skills.
This is an even better way to get the attention of a label with your look and visual creativity.
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A lot of unsigned artists and bands make the mistake of writing original songs that are direct clones of songs you can hear on the radio from more popular artists.
While it’s essential to remain appealing and relevant to your genre with your music releases, it is critical to be able to stand out and have a USP (unique selling proposition).
This is especially relevant for labels who are looking for talent to spend a considerable amount of money on in hopes of profiting off of you. A label is not going to waste time and money developing an artist who is a clone of someone already famous.
Being unique can include your image, writing process, singing style, personality, and much more to get creative.
Submitting music to labels who have publicly stated that they aren’t taking submissions won’t get you far. Sending demo submission emails that include grammatical errors and slang probably won’t get you far. Think of this process just as you think of a job-hunting process.
While labels have artists and release songs that are often wild and crazy, that doesn’t mean you should present yourself as such in the context of a demo submission inquiry.
There is a time and place for everything! Your music can express anything you’d like it to, but your attitude while presenting the music must be professional.
We all know how much social media has taken over our lives. One of the major elements of social networks includes music, and here lies the opportunity to shine and impress as an artist or musician on social media.
Be sure your social sites have appealing numbers, consistent updates about your musical journey, high-quality media (images and videos), and the proper “about me” information.
It is also important to make sure your social media accounts all correlate, having the same artist/band name and up-to-date information.
You don’t want to confuse someone reviewing your music brand with a SoundCloud page that calls you one thing and a Twitter name that’s completely different.
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As a session singer, writer, and producer that has worked with over 300 clients to provide high-quality jingles, singles, and features, Yona spends her time creating and marketing new music and helpful resources for creators. Check out Yona’s latest releases on her Spotify, her Youtube and share if you like it!
If you are in need of singer, songwriter or song producer services, see what Yona Marie can offer you on her services page.
