Sending tracks to labels

[KS2]

A few things I was wondering about sending a track/tracks off to a decent label for those that have experience....

What's best to include in the title and how should it be layed out? Something as simple as artist name and track name? Can't imagine that standing out too well.

What should be included in the body? A bit about yourself? Description of the track and why it would be good for their label? Anything else?

Obviously a private Soundcloud link. But then how can they see it? Because you have to allow them in the settings but how do you know who to allow?

Should you put a different link up for each label, so it's not obvious if you've sent it to loads?
On that note too, I'd obviously send each email separately rather than a group email.

[grazz16]

alright let me try and get these in point form

1. Title = "Demo Submission" thats all you need, if its an email they want usually labels have a set place to send them so they already know what it is, but lots of times now they want it sent to their sound cloud dropbox so no title will even be present

2. Body = a short and polite intro as to who you are. I include a list of the labels I currently work with as well, obviously you don't have this when you are just starting out, but if you have any credentials at all throw them in as you get them. Keep it short tho, no one really cares about this section anyway if the music sucks. You could also throw in something about how it has a similar feel to X release on their label or something as well if you want.

3. Soundcloud has a feature that allows you to share links with ppl who aren't on Soundcloud called "secret links". Basically u just go to "share" and it'll give u a link that u can copy and paste

4. Technically you are supposed to send to 1 label at a time but Soundcloud can circumvent this by disallowing public stats so ppl can't see how many times it was played, and then if it gets picked up you can delete the link before anyone sees it. Can't do this via email though, so in that case give them 1-2 weeks depending on the label and then if u don't hear back, which 90% of the time will be the case, you can send it to someone else. If you get caught "double dipping" and by some miracle both labels want the track, you will effectively alienate one of them right away, which is not good for your reputation. Soundcloud links also let you see who has played it so obviously if they play the track and don't get back to you in a couple days you're prob safe to send it on.

This process is annoying, disheartening, and time consuming. It consists of a lot of waiting and a lot of not knowing if anyone has even heard the track or not. Many big labels simply do not listen to demos in my experience and at 2 weeks per label, the process takes forever. Not uncommon for me to finish a track and shop it for a month + before if gets a home. Best bet is to compile a list of labels you think your music fits with and narrow it down to that. Don't waste your time spamming labels you really don't belong on in the first place either.

Sound quality is pretty much the be all and end all in this game as well. You can have a great idea, but if the production value is low you will have a hard time getting it signed. So be honest with yourself if you think the quality isn't there yet, spend the time working on it until it is before send it to anyone.

[KS2]

That's exactly what I was looking for mate, thanks! Didn't know about the Soundcloud secret link. Thought you had to individually allow each person. I've got plenty of mates well into the scene that will hopefully tell me if what I'm thinking of sending off is good enough. Wouldn't be great sending off sub par work that gets signed to a sub par label but bears your name forever.
I have heard before that most big labels don't bother listening to demos much as well and would rather get people on board from meeting them in person. All about networking as usual!

Have given you a follow on Soundcloud. Will have a listen to your stuff tomorrow.

[grazz16]

No problem, happy to help

[JasonBay]

Stop being a lazy P.O.S. already and start being more self reliant. I literally found this in less then 2 minutes, and it's on this very site none the less.

http://www.djtechtools.com/2013/08/2...music-lottery/

[KS2]

That's all well and good but it didn't answer my specific questions as far as I can see. I'm also pretty sure you could search for most things but sometimes you want a tailored answer, of which I got an excellent one.