Evaluate yourself honestly. Are you ready to submit a demo at this point in your career? Record labels will not sign an artist without some evidence that their investment will pay off, such as a fan base built up through steady touring or other promotional "buzz". Without these factors, getting labels' interest can be difficult.
Consult reference guides like "The Song Writer's Market" to determine which labels might want to hear your music. Sending heavy metal bluegrass fusion efforts to an indie folk label earns lasting disdain and also shows a lack of knowledge about who puts out what type of music.
Develop a shortlist of potential labels, but make sure they accept unsolicited demos--or recordings that have not already been screened by third parties like managers or producers. Flouting this policy results in having your demo mailed back, if you are lucky, consultant Chris Knab notes.
Include a cover letter outlining the titles of your songs, along with a short biography and your intentions, according to mediawebsource.com. Labels should not be left guessing if you merely want to get your band signed or pitch songs for film licensing or publishing deals.
Never include more than four songs with any submission. Always put your strongest song first, the one that fans consider your "signature"--if somebody doesn't "get it," they are unlikely to stick around for the remaining tracks, anyway. Do not leave that single-in-waiting in third or fourth place!
Make sure that your songs are copyrighted, and include lyrical and musical sheets with your package, mediawebsource.com advises. This protects your rights and shows you understand the business of music--because fear of plagiarism suits is one reason why many labels no longer accept unsolicited demos.
Give yourself a fighting chance to be heard by submitting the best possible quality recording. Eliminate technical glitches that turn people off, such as obvious distortion or hissing, mediawebsource.com advises. Even if you are a bratty punk rock band, you want the emphasis where it belongs--on your songs.
Include a self-addressed stamped envelope to ensure your demo's safe return. Also, put your website, phone number or other key contact information on the CD itself--so the label can reach you in case it gets separated from the rest of your demo package.
Follow a company's submission policy faithfully. If the preferred route is posting MP3s to a website--something that many labels now permit--don't send an old-fashioned, bulky package. If the label states, "We'll follow up if we're interested," email or phone call barrages may sink your stock before you start.