How to send a demo to a record label without it getting lost in the inbox
Record labels receive a lot of messages from artists, lyricists and producers. Most aren’t turned down because the song is bad. They’re turned down, or simply never opened, because the message doesn’t say clearly who you are and what you’re asking for. With a little care, yours can be one of those that get heard.
Before you send: choose the right label
The most common mistake is sending the same email to everyone. Before you write, listen to what the label releases. If it puts out laiko and pop, a drill track probably won’t fit, however good it is. Also check whether it asks for demos in a specific way, for example through a form on its website. If there’s a form, use it.
Know what you’re sending
Labels sort material into three categories, and it helps to make it clear from the first line:
- Finished song: performance, recording, mix, ready or nearly ready for release.
- Demo: the idea recorded roughly, so the melody and lyrics can be heard.
- Lyrics only or music only: you’re looking for a collaborator to complete the song.
Not every label is open to all three. Many, like us, mostly release finished songs. If you say it clearly, you save time for both you and the person reading.
What the email should say
Keep it short. The reader should get the basics within a few seconds.
- A subject line that says what it is. For example “Demo: Name, Song title (laiko)”. Not just “Hello” or “Collaboration”.
- Who you are, in two lines. Singer, lyricist, producer, where you’re from, what you’ve done so far.
- What you’re sending and what you want. “I’m sending a finished song and looking for a label to release it” is clear.
- One link. More on that below.
- Credits. Who wrote the lyrics and the music, who produced it.
- Contact details and your socials, if they have content.
The link: one, private, and it has to open
- Send a link, not an attachment. Heavy files often don’t arrive, or land in spam.
- Use something that plays instantly on a phone: a private SoundCloud link, an unlisted YouTube video, or a file on Google Drive or Dropbox.
- Check the access. Open the link in a private browsing window. If it asks for permission, nobody will hear it.
- If the song hasn’t been released, don’t upload it publicly. A label wants to release it for the first time.
How many songs to send
One or two, best one first. Fifteen songs in a folder don’t show productivity, they show you didn’t choose. If the first one lands, they’ll ask for more.
What to avoid
- A mass email with everyone in “To”. It’s obvious immediately and shows you don’t care about that particular label.
- Text with no link, or “send me your email so I can send it”. If you already have the address, send it.
- Hype. “The next big hit” doesn’t help. The song speaks for itself.
- Hiding that it’s an AI demo. If you used AI, say so. See why in AI in music.
- Pressure. A second message after two or three weeks is reasonable. Five messages in one week is not.
Before you hit send
Make sure you know who owns the rights to the song. If three people wrote it, all of them need to agree that you’re sending it. The label will ask who wrote what and with which shares, so it’s good to have that settled. More in Copyright for lyricists and composers.
Conclusion
A good demo email is short, targeted and has one link that opens. It says who you are, what you’re sending and what you’re asking for. The song does the rest. If you have a finished song and think it fits Wide Music Records, send it to us through the contact page.