Q: How do I get my music heard in [currentyear]?

Here’s how to get your music heard: Develop your brand identity as an artist Have all your material in one place Build a fanbase Step up your socials Pinpoint decision makers Network! Work with a music licensing agency Play shows—and be smart about them

Q: Can you audition for a record label?

The short and simple answer to this oft-asked question is…no. Auditions used to take place in the music industry, and they obviously still do for Actors, Singers and musicians in theater, but the vast majority of those who work at record labels won’t ask for an audition. If you or your Manager can attract any interest from someone at a record label, it will be because of one of a handful of reasons, and none of them are auditions. Maybe they heard about you through the grapevine. Perhaps they saw you open for another band or play at a festival. It’s possible they have seen your name on streaming services, or even that they’ve been served a song of yours on a platform like Spotify or Apple Music. If they’re looking to speak to you, it’s because they have already listened to you and researched you. There are certainly still meetings between artists and executives, but auditions? Not so much.

Question 1

How do I get my music heard in [currentyear]?

Hugh McIntyre · Accepted Answer

Here&#8217;s how to get your music heard:

Develop your brand identity as an artist
Have all your material in one place
Build a fanbase
Step up your socials
Pinpoint decision makers
Network!
Work with a music licensing agency
Play shows—and be smart about them

Question 2

How do I get my music heard by record labels?

Hugh McIntyre · Accepted Answer

Getting someone to listen to your latest song or to stream the album you just released might not sound like much of a favor, and when it comes to friends and family, it isn’t really. However, when it’s time to reach out to people who work in the music industry, it is a big deal, and you need to handle yourself professionally. Remember, this is what these people do for a living. This is their work. You’re not sending them a quick hello email, you’re sharing a business inquiry.
You should do some detailed research about best practices regarding professional emails in order to learn all you can before diving in, but there are a few quick tips that can be learned. Keep your subject line succinct and to the point. Make sure the email itself is also direct and simple. A paragraph or two is plenty—any more than that and you’re wasting someone’s time (though full information below the introductory message is different). Get their name and title right. Have a reason for emailing them in particular, don’t just spam them.
Follow these rules and you may have a better shot at having record labels listen to your music, though nothing is guaranteed in this field.

Question 3

Can you audition for a record label?

Hugh McIntyre · Accepted Answer

The short and simple answer to this oft-asked question is&#8230;no. Auditions used to take place in the music industry, and they obviously still do for Actors, Singers and musicians in theater, but the vast majority of those who work at record labels won’t ask for an audition.
If you or your Manager can attract any interest from someone at a record label, it will be because of one of a handful of reasons, and none of them are auditions. Maybe they heard about you through the grapevine. Perhaps they saw you open for another band or play at a festival. It’s possible they have seen your name on streaming services, or even that they’ve been served a song of yours on a platform like Spotify or Apple Music. If they’re looking to speak to you, it’s because they have already listened to you and researched you. There are certainly still meetings between artists and executives, but auditions? Not so much.

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