There are many ways for an indie band to reach their fans directly, but every band that knows how to sell music knows that the #1 goal is getting signed by a band label. With the sheer number of bands you’ll be competing with to get signed, it’s important to focus on the tried and true methods of getting noticed. Here are our best tips on approaching a band label.

1. Bark up the right tree. One of the biggest mistakes bands make is to send their demo out to as many record companies as they possible can. After all, the more people who hear their music, the better their chances are of getting a deal, right? Wrong. That is not how to sell music. If you’re an indie rock band, sending your demo to a hip-hop label is wasting your demo and it’s wasting the label’s time. Do your research and only send demos to labels that produce and distribute your type of music.
2. Respect the rules of the label. Once you do your research and find a few labels who are a good fit for your band, carefully review their demo acceptance policy. There is no standard way a label wants to receive demos. Some simply want an email with an Mp3 attachment, while others never open these emails and prefer a CD in the mail. Remember that there are plenty of other bands out there trying to figure out how to sell music. You don’t want a record executive to dismiss yours off hand simply because you didn’t following their simple instructions.
3. Make it clear you’ve done your homework. You know you’ve done your homework, but you want the record label to know that as well. Do everything you can to make sure they know you didn’t simply send out a blanket email, but are targeting their label because you feel it’d be a good fit for both sides. For example, when you send the demo, avoid greetings like, “Hi there,” or “Dear Record Exec.” It’s best to find a specific name to address demos to, but if that’s not possible at least get their position correct, e.g. A & R Manager, Radio Producer, Label Manager.
4. Keep track of your submissions and follow up. As you learn how to sell music, you’ll quickly realize that you are in fact running a business. Spreadsheets and detailed accounts are your friend. Keep a list or spreadsheet of the companies you’ve submitted to. If you haven’t heard anything in 4-6 weeks, then send a follow-up. Don’t be pushy, but do reiterate that you’re excited about working with them and ask for feedback on your demo. Often times this will be the push a record company needs to give your work a listen to.

Approaching a record label can be intimidating, but if you carefully target your submissions to the labels that are the most likely to be into your music, then you’ll have a much better chance of knowing exactly how to sell music; you will have done so successfully.