Following up on a demo submission - handy hints

You've recorded demos on your home recording studio and sent them off to all the record labels you think would suit your music.

But what happens next? Waiting for a company to get back to you can be a long process, so some musicians might want to chase them up.

By doing this, you do run the risk of alienating the record label bosses before they have even had the chance to listen to your CD, so it is very important to get it right.

Some record labels don't accept follow-ups and they may have made this clear in their demo submission policies. If this is the case, you will simply have to be patient and accept the fact that pestering them for feedback will not work.

If the label is open to receiving follow-ups, sending a politely phrased email reminding them who you are and asking whether they have listened to your CD yet may work.

But make sure you don't send these emails too frequently - any decent label will be getting loads of demos from aspiring artists all the time, so if they see you as an annoyance they won't be tempted to take you on.

And if you do get a response, always try to get some feedback. Even negative comments can stand you in good stead for the next time you submit demos.

Product category: Home recording studio