Sending your music out to record labels, producers, and other industry professionals is a key aspect of getting your music heard.
But did you know that there are specific etiquette rules you should follow when sending out music demos via email?
If you don’t follow them, you could wind up hurting your chances of getting your music heard.
6 Dos and Don’ts of Sending Out Music Demos via Email
1. Do Personalize the Message
It only takes a few minutes to look up the name of the person you’re emailing and include it in your message, but it makes a big impression.
Don’t send generic emails. If you’re going to take the time to write an email, make sure it’s tailored to the recipient. Also, it’s not a good idea to send mass emails or share your portfolio with multiple labels in one go.
Take the time to consider which label your music will resonate with the most and make the recipient feel special when sending out your demos.
2. Don’t Cram Too Much Information
Make sure your email is clear and concise. Don’t try to cram too much information into it – focus on one or two tracks that you really want the recipient to hear.
Even when introducing yourself and your music, keep it short and sweet. Nobody has the time to read long paragraphs.
3. Do Include a Link to Your Music
Always include a link to your website or online portfolio when sending out a music demo. This way, the recipient can quickly check out your work and see if it’s something they’re interested in.
Whether you’re sending a link to your Soundcloud page or attaching MP3 files, giving the recipient an easy way to listen to your music is important.
4. Don’t Presume Your Music Is a Perfect Fit for the Label
While being confident about your music is good, don’t brag about it too much or presume that your sound is a perfect fit for the record label.
The purpose of sending out music demos is to find out if the recipient thinks your music is suited to the label. Let them decide.
5. Be Patient
You must be excited to hear back from the label or producer but please, be patient once you’ve hit send. Don’t expect an immediate response to your email – give the recipient a few days to listen to your tracks and get back to you.
6. Don’t Get Discouraged if You Don’t Hear Back
Don’t be discouraged if you don’t hear back from everyone you email. The music industry is notoriously busy, and even the most well-intentioned people can’t always respond to every email they receive.
But this doesn’t mean you should give up.
If you don’t hear back from the person you emailed, it’s perfectly acceptable (and encouraged) to send a follow-up email a week or so later.
And if they don’t give a positive response, try, try again. You’ll find someone interested in your music with a bit of persistence.
Final Words
Sending out music demos via email is a fantastic way to get your music heard by industry professionals. You never know which email would lead you to a big signing or gig!
Remember these few basic dos and don’ts when sending your demo to labels to ensure your email stands out from the rest and gets noticed.
Eric Dalius is The Executive Chairman of MuzicSwipe, a music and content discovery platform designed to maximize artist discovery and optimize fan relationships. Additionally, he runs the weekly podcast “FULLSPEED,” featuring interviews with cutting-edge entrepreneurs. As the founder of the “Eric Dalius Foundation,” he provides four scholarships for US students. Keep up with Eric on Twitter, Facebook, LinkedIn, Instagram, and Entrepreneur.com.