How do I get noticed by record labels?

You want to get the attention of a record label. You and everyone else! So what is going to be that extra oomph that will allow you to turn heads? It has several elements, but the most important thing is that you continue to build, refine and promote your band even before contacting a record label.

You may be a great singer, but keeping your songs restricted to the shower or a private demo is not the way to get a contract. First of all, you need to promote yourself, and the internet is a great way to do that. Singers like Justin Bieber and Marie Digby were discovered through their YouTube accounts, so can you. Upload quality videos to the site and focus on promoting them, and you’ll be well on your way to being discovered. Your band should also promote itself on music sites like MySpace.com and last.fm. A well-produced band webpage with quality, catchy songs and images will go a long way in getting the attention of a record company. Colbie Caillat and Tila Tequila rose to fame through their MySpace pages.

But what about the real world? One of the most tried and true methods of promotion is to start touring. While your band may just be starting out, you can start through small gigs and work your way up to larger venues. It is through touring, even on a smaller scale, that you will begin to make fans and contacts that will come in handy in getting you noticed by a record label. You can receive more press and written articles this way, which are useful to include on your website and in your demo package.

Another key element to attract attention is the demo package itself. To get the attention of an A and R rep, make sure your songs are catchy from the start and have enough momentum to carry the listener all the way to the end. Include a good photo of the band that makes it look unique and professional. Read band bios to see how creative you can be to make your own story, your way. If you can include press clippings or articles from reliable sources, your band will surely appear to have a following. Keep your themes and packaging colorful and classy, ​​but not too distracting.

Once you’ve done all of these things, the last step is to submit your demo to record companies. You’ll need to find record label addresses to do this, and this can be more difficult than it sounds. Sometimes they’re found on record label websites, but it’s often best to check a database of music industry contacts; these may even provide services that give your demo an edge over other unsolicited material. Once you find the addresses, send in your demo and cross your fingers to get it signed by a record label. But remember to keep up all your self-promotional activities, because you never know when your big break will come.