out (selling 30,000+ CDs regionally according to SoundScan is the ultimate way to catch my attention). I will have already called you to find out who you are and what you have going on. If I can help you, I will - you don’t even have to ask. If you are giving packages to label reps at an event, you need to stand out in their minds as well. If they are going to sign you (although I do not know of any artist who really got signed from a demo), they need to be able to rationalize the signing to their bosses. The best way to get a deal is with leverage, some regional sales, and some radio spins. This reduces the label’s risk. For a major label to put out your record, they will spend close to $2 million (total) on everything. That means you saying, “I’m the most talented and I know it,” is not good reasoning to them. But having a buzz and a track record and a few thousand fans already in place (or 30,000) IS good reasoning. Learn the business. Learn why and how artists get signed. Learn which labels are good and which ones suck. This way you won’t look stupid when you step to them and give them reasons why you’d be a good risk for them. Just wanting a record deal does not make you worthy.
card and send another demo in the mail in a few weeks. Last week, I went to the Tampa Music Conference. I received over 200 demo CDs. I had to buy an additional suitcase just to get them home. The airline lost my bag, losing every CD I received. Regardless, even if I got them all home, how long do you suppose it would take me to listen to all of those CDs, with me working 20-hour days, seven days a week on my own projects? I don’t critique music or demo CDs, nor am I qualified to give feedback, so why am I even listening to them? The only way to catch my attention is to build a buzz in your area and stand
Lastly, once you get home it’s important to follow up with all of the people you met. Not all of them will respond to you, and not all will even return your calls. Just do the best you can, be as professional as you can, and don’t stalk anyone (if you call everyday for two weeks and don’t get a call back from anyone - not even an assistant, that’s a hint that they are too busy for you). Attending industry functions can be worth the money you spend to be there, but you have to do the work to get the most out of it. - Wendy Day of Rap Coalition (www.wendyday.com)
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