How to Submit Your Music to Record Labels: A Complete Guide for Artists
Submitting your music to record labels can be a game-changing step in your music career. I'll show you the exact process to increase your chances of getting noticed by labels.
Before submitting your music, ensure you have: - High-quality, professionally mixed and mastered tracks - A strong electronic press kit (EPK) - Professional artist photos - A compelling artist bio - Active social media presence
Here's how to submit your music effectively:
Research the Right Labels First, identify labels that match your genre and style. Listen to their existing releases and ensure your music aligns with their sound. Make a list of 20-30 suitable labels, ranging from major to independent ones.
Find Submission Guidelines Every label has specific submission requirements. Check their website for a "Demo Submission" or "Artists" section. Some labels only accept submissions through specific platforms or during certain periods. Following these guidelines is crucial.
Prepare Your Submission Package Create a professional email or submission that includes: - 2-3 of your best tracks (usually as private SoundCloud/Dropbox links) - A brief introduction (2-3 sentences maximum) - Your EPK or relevant links - Why you chose their label specifically - Your future music plans
Common Submission Methods
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Direct Email Send your submission to the label's demo email address. Keep it professional and concise.
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Online Submission Forms Many labels use dedicated platforms like SubmitHub or LabelRadar.
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Music Industry Platforms Platforms like DISCO or SoundCloud can sometimes connect you directly with label A&Rs.
Best Practices for Submission - Always send streaming links, never attachments - Personalize each submission to the specific label - Follow up only once after 2-3 weeks - Submit to multiple labels simultaneously - Keep track of your submissions in a spreadsheet
What Not to Do - Don't spam labels with multiple submissions - Don't send unfinished tracks - Don't use generic mass emails - Don't get discouraged by rejections - Don't send more tracks than requested
Remember to maintain professionalism throughout the process. If a label shows interest, respond promptly and professionally. If you receive rejection or no response, keep refining your music and submission approach.
Continue building your presence while waiting for responses. Release music independently, grow your following, and engage with your audience. This makes you more attractive to labels and builds leverage for future negotiations.
This process takes time and patience. Focus on creating quality music while systematically submitting to labels that align with your artistic vision. Success often comes from persistence and continuous improvement of both your music and submission strategy.