Many record labels receive hundreds of demo submissions every week. Most get ignored within seconds. The difference between demos that get heard and demos that get deleted often has nothing to do with the music itself—it's about how you present and deliver it.
Here's what actually works when submitting demos to labels, based on what A&Rs say they look for and common mistakes that get submissions instantly dismissed.
Before You Submit: The Basics
Target the Right Labels
This sounds obvious, but most artists skip this step. Sending trap beats to a folk label or bedroom pop to a metal label wastes everyone's time. Before submitting anywhere:
- Listen to the label's recent releases (not just their biggest artists)
- Check if they're actually signing new artists or just managing existing roster
- Look for labels at your current level—major labels rarely sign artists with zero following
- Find indie labels that have signed artists similar to you in the last 1-2 years
A targeted submission to 10 relevant labels beats a mass blast to 100 random ones.
Find the Right Contact
Generic info@ emails are black holes. Find the actual A&R person or demo submission contact:
- Check the label's website for a specific demo submission page or email
- Look up A&R staff on LinkedIn
- Check credits on recent releases for A&R names
- Follow label staff on social media (many share submission preferences)
What to Include in Your Submission
The Music (Obviously)
Send your best 2-3 tracks, not your entire discography. A&Rs make decisions quickly—if the first song doesn't grab them, they won't listen to song seven.
Your tracks should be:
- Properly mixed and mastered—rough demos are fine for songwriting pitches, but label submissions should sound release-ready
- Representative of your sound—don't send your one pop song if you're primarily a hip-hop artist
- Recent work—tracks from 3+ years ago suggest you've stalled creatively
A Brief Bio
Keep it to 2-3 paragraphs max. Include:
- Who you are and where you're based
- Your sound in one sentence (comparing to known artists is fine)
- Any notable achievements (streams, press, sync placements, tours)
- What you're looking for from a label
Skip the life story. A&Rs don't need to know you've been making music since age 5.
Links to Your Presence
Include links to:
- Spotify/Apple Music (if you have releases)
- Social media with actual engagement
- YouTube or TikTok if you have video content
- Your website or artist hub page
Labels care about your existing audience. Even a modest but engaged following shows you can build momentum.
How to Actually Send It
Don't Send Attachments
Email attachments are problematic:
- Large files get blocked by spam filters
- They clog up inboxes and frustrate recipients
- ZIP files feel sketchy and often go unopened
- There's no way to track if they actually listened
Don't Use Public Streaming Links
Sending a public SoundCloud or YouTube link has its own problems:
- The music is already public, reducing label interest
- Comment sections can be distracting or embarrassing
- You have no idea if the recipient actually listened or just clicked
Use Private, Trackable Share Links
The professional approach is a private streaming link that:
- Streams instantly—no downloads required
- Looks professional—your artwork, track titles, proper presentation
- Password protected—shows you take your music seriously
- Trackable—you know when they listened and for how long
- Expires—creates urgency and lets you refresh content
This is exactly what Gatefolded is built for. You get a clean share page with your music, and you can see when the A&R actually listens.
The Email Itself
Subject Line
Keep it simple and clear:
- "Demo Submission: [Artist Name] - [Genre]"
- "[Artist Name] - Demo for [Label Name]"
Avoid clickbait, all caps, or desperate language like "PLEASE LISTEN" or "Next Big Thing."
Body
Get to the point fast. Here's a template:
Hi [Name],
I'm [Your Name], a [genre] artist based in [City]. I think my sound would be a good fit for [Label] based on your work with [Similar Artist on their roster].
Here are 3 tracks from my upcoming project: [Link]
Password: [password]
[1-2 sentences about notable achievements or what makes you different]
Links: [Spotify] | [Instagram] | [Website]
Thanks for your time,
[Your Name]
That's it. Short, professional, easy to act on.
After You Send
Track Your Submissions
Keep a spreadsheet of:
- Label name and contact
- Date submitted
- Link/password used
- Whether they listened (if your share link tracks this)
- Any response received
Follow Up Once
If you haven't heard back in 2-3 weeks, one polite follow-up is acceptable. If your share link shows they listened but didn't respond, that's your answer—don't push further.
Handle Rejection Gracefully
Most submissions get rejected or ignored. This is normal. Don't burn bridges with angry responses. The A&R who passes today might sign you in two years when your sound has developed.
Common Mistakes That Get You Ignored
- Mass BCC emails—it's obvious and lazy
- No personalization—show you know the label
- Overselling yourself—"I'm the next Drake" makes you look delusional
- Poor audio quality—if it sounds bad, they stop listening
- Too much music—10 tracks means they'll listen to none
- No online presence—labels want to see you've done the work
- Unprofessional presentation—random file names, no artwork, broken links
The Bottom Line
Getting signed isn't about one perfect submission—it's about consistently putting professional work in front of the right people while building your own audience. Make it easy for labels to say yes: send great music, present it professionally, and show you're already doing the work to build a career.
The artists who get signed aren't just talented—they're professional, persistent, and strategic about how they share their work.