Way too often I see people who are totally clueless about the process of submitting music to labels for a potential deal. Outside the random Myspace links, links to slow as Christmas 3rd party download sites, and tracks previously distributed for free or by the artist themselves, very few tracks actually come through random submission worth signing. I guess the first key to getting signed is having a very good track, but you already knew that. With that knowledge in hand, here are 10 tips to help get your tracks signed.
1. Thou shalt know the label thine art submitting to.
Many artists seem to have this bad habit of submitting their track to every possible label in hopes of getting signed. In doing so, they end up submitting their music to labels that either aren’t within the scope of the release, or would have no interest in the release. Take the time to check out the label’s other releases and determine if your track is a good fit.
2. Thou shalt not overuse SoundCloud.
I got some demo submissions not too long ago via SoundCloud that were shared to something like 521 people. Am I supposed to think you really put much thought into getting a track on MY label when I see you’ve sent it to 500 other people as well? Even if I’m the only label you’ve submitted to, you just took away 500 potential customers. If each one of those people bought the track at Beatport’s $2.50 exclusive price, that’s $1,245 in potential sales down the crapper.
3. Thou shalt get a second opinion.
Before you start sending out those demos, take a minute and let some friends or fellow producers drag it over the coals. I have a few friends I can call on for some brutal, honest opinion on my tracks. Sometimes that little touch can be the difference between signing or not. Most digital labels aren’t in the business of artist development, so your submission needs to be release ready when sent. I don’t mean perfectly mastered, but at least have the structure and overall content of the track done.
4. Thou shalt get over thineself.
Welcome to the music industry, kiddos. This is a brutal business where “No” is heard far more often than “yes.” Don’t let your feelings get easily hurt. If you’re ultra sensitive, this business isn’t for you at all. People aren’t going to go out of their way to be mean, but expect frank and honest answers from people with no time to waste. This is where commandment #3 comes in handy; it gets you used to handling criticism.
5. Thou shalt not take thineself too seriously, but make sure others take YOU seriously.
Never forget that you got into music to have fun in the first place. When you lose that love for making music and you find yourself simply going through the motions, it’s time to take a break. Keep having fun and have a level head. When dealing with others though, make sure they know you’re a person of your word, and you have a deep commitment to doing things the right way. The music industry is large, but things do come back around.
6. Thou shalt build an adequate home for thine music.
Hi. It’s 2010. Domain names are $10 per year. Website hosting is $5 per month from GoDaddy. Wordpress is free to install, and there are plenty of really easy to use free wordpress templates available. Create a hidden page for your music and send that to A&R reps so they can hear your music.
7. If thine must use a 3rd party download host, please select a pleasing one.
I’d much rather see your own URL in a demo pack. If you must use a 3rd party download site, please be VERY careful on which one you use. Mediafire is the best in my opinion. Quick download speeds and excellent security. I hate the ones that restrict simultaneous downloads. Better yet, if the label you’re submitting to has a Soundcloud dropbox, use it!
8. Thou shalt not bug the A&R guy.
It’s okay to follow up with a label if you’ve heard nothing in return for a few weeks, but don’t start emailing the A&R guy after two or three days though. Chances are he has a day job as well, and simply hasn’t had time to listen to your demo. Remember that patience is a virtue, and this is a really good time to show patience. Besides, if you bug the A&R guy, they’ll probably start ignoring your emails, further damaging your chances at getting signed.
9. Thou shalt make thineself relevant.
Electronic music is a bit freer than most other types of music. With all the technology we have available, the capabilities of a single person making music exceeds anything ever presented before us. That’s also a problem. Too many people think they’ve reinvented the wheel. Unless you’ve done something truly groundbreaking, there’s no need to claim a new genre. Just call a spade, a spade, and be done with it. If you come at an A&R rep calling your music something like “Philosophical Dance,” chances are they’re going to think you’re some kind of nut job and forward your stuff to the recycle bin. Make your music relevant to current concepts.
10. Thou shalt make good music.
It really IS worth including in these tips. If your track is no good and you know it, don’t submit. If you think it’s questionable, get some people to rip it apart, rework, and then submit. There’s people I get submissions from all the time that can’t seem to make a good track. If they keep submitting bad stuff, I’ll start to tune them out over time. Really, just make sure your act is together and your tracks are tight before you submit.
There you have it. Ten solid tips for helping your track get signed. Most of it is really common sense kinda stuff, but maybe it’s something you haven’t thought about. Getting that first track signed can seem a bit daunting, but if you just put your mind to it and follow general due diligence, it’ll eventually happen.