...or When Artist met an Industry professional. 1 out of 1000 artist can put together a proper e-mail. Yes, 1 out of 1000. If you actually want a response to the e-mail you're sending to an industry professional, you might want to STOP doing what you're doing, and read this short post.
As a music industry professional, I receive aprox. 300+ e-mails each day from artists seeking feedback/help (even on holidays and Superbowl!?), and I will be completely honest - I delete 99.99%. Now, let's go through couple easy steps, and see why your e-mail got deleted. (Stop rolling your eyes, and stop making a face. Face the problem.)
Caps
IF I WAS WRITING LIKE THIS, I'M NOT SURE YOU'D BOTHER READING THIS WHOLE BLOG. Why? Because it looks like I'm yelling. It's just pure rudeness using nothing but caps. Plus it doesn't look nice and neat at all. It's just messy. So, there's a button called "Caps Lock" - and you can use it. It's free to use it.
Proper language
Yo muh shiet is poppin u shud fuk wit me! - Now, sure you can use this kind of language with your friends, or anyone who you're close with. But do NOT be sending an e-mail presenting yourself like that. You want respect. Sure you can use it in your songs. But don't use it when aiming at a music industry professional. We would like to see some respect, just like you, and we would like to see someone actually put together a nice, short e-mail.
Subject
Artists nightmare. Putting in the subject of the e-mail. If I told you that's the easiest thing - would you believe me? Try something like this - Artist inquiry *YourArtistName*; or, Artist Submission - Promotion needed. etc. Just type what you're seeking from an industry professional you're sending an e-mail to. And make sure you avoid "Next one to blow", "Play my music, you won't regret it" - in most cases, I did regret it. Don't raise the bar too high. We like to be surprised - in a good way.
Body
E-mail body. Now, please, please, make sure it's SHORT, with nothing but FACTS. We understand everything you write. For e.g. - "I'm John Does, from CA, and I have 5 releases (selling on iTunes, or downloaded 3000 times), 50 shows (where and attendance), 10 openings for majors, 3 singles on air via local radio in L.A." - One sentence! You just need to put in actual names in there. It's THAT simple. And then, just write what you need and if you have a budget, you must be able to invest in your music. I appreciate more when an artist says "I have $300 to invest in my music" than someone acting big, but doesn't want to invest. We're not evil and mean. For $300 you can get a lot done. Each month 300, and you'll build your image step by step. Which brings us to -
Facts
We know when you say "I have a nice lil' fanbase, I have 2 mixtapes out, I'm trying to get my music out there" - Now, in our minds you said "I got no fans except couple facebook friends, and I don't know what to do with my music". You MUST be honest, we do our own research and the first thing we check - website, reverbnation, facebook, twitter and youtube. If you said "I'm having difficulties with reaching out to a wider audience, but I'm working on my music and image, and I need help from someone who has experience with artist development" - now that sounds really nice. And you just raised your chances to get a nice, constructive response.
Attachments
Do NOT, by any means, do NOT attach music unless you're asked to do so. I don't want to receive a 50MB e-mail. Especially with the fact that business e-mails go from 50MB to 1GB. And 1GB for an inbox is NOTHING. We will go through the links you provide. Just make sure to let us know which song is your single etc.
You CAN attach a press release or an EPK. Well, preferably a ONE SHEET.
It's really that simple. I'm sure you're still laughing. But, if you actually try to be nice and respectful, you don't have to be too formal, we're all humans; you will actually get more responses and attention. Even if your music is not that good enough - you might get constructive cricism (if you can handle it, but that's another topic)
