How to Send a Demo to Record Labels (+ Email Templates)

Ask an A&R at Defected what kills a demo, and the answer is an MP3 attached to an email. It clogs the inbox, and a stream link is faster to check. Small details like that decide whether your track gets heard at all. Labels still sign artists from demos, but most demos get a few seconds of attention. The artists who get replies sent the right song to the right label, in a format the A&R could open on a phone.

This guide covers how to check that a label takes demos, who to send to, and what to send. It includes three templates: the first email, a follow-up and a reply to a rejection.

Is your track ready to send?

Some labels will listen to an unmastered demo, but it still needs to sound finished. Armada Music's own demo guide sets the bar high.

"Make sure the record is completely finished and preferably mastered."

– Armada Music, How to submit your demo

The arrangement should be complete, the mix should be balanced, and the intro should get to the point fast. A&R people often skip through the first minute, so a long build can cost you the listen.

Play the track next to two or three recent releases from the label. If yours sounds thin or quiet next to them, fix the mix first. You only get one first listen per label.

Find labels that release your sound

Most rejections happen because the track does not fit the label. A deep house imprint will not sign a hip hop single, however good it is. Before you add a label to your list, listen to its last ten releases.

Look for labels that put out music close to yours in tempo, mood and energy. Check who they signed in the past year. Labels that release new names now and then are a better bet than labels that only work with established acts.

Write each label into a sheet with five columns: label name, genre, demo route, contact name and date sent. Our free label finder helps with the first pass if you want to search by genre.

Check the label accepts demos right now

Many labels stop taking demos for a while, then open again. Some only accept music through a form and delete emails. Sending to a closed inbox wastes your best track on someone who will never hear it.

Check these places before you send anything:

• The label website. Look for a page called "Demos", "Submissions" or "Contact".
• The label's social bios and link pages. Some post a demo email or form link there.
• Recent posts. Labels often announce when demos are open or closed.
• The submission page itself. Read the rules on format, length and number of tracks.

If a label says "no unsolicited demos", respect it and move on. If the rules ask for a form, use the form and skip email. Following the rules is the first sign to an A&R that you will be easy to work with.

Labels take demos through a few routes, and each one has its own catch. The table compares the common ones.

Use the route the label names on its own page, even if another one looks faster.

Find the right person

A generic inbox like demos@ gets the most mail and the least attention. A message to a named A&R person can get a closer listen. The best route is the one the label asks for, and a named contact is a bonus when the label allows it.

To find names, check the label's team page, or search the label name plus "A&R" on LinkedIn. Small labels are often run by one or two people, and the owner is the A&R.

If you want a head start, our record label contacts are sorted by genre and checked before each update. You can get a free sample to see the format first.

Send a private streaming link

Labels want to press play and listen. They do not want to download a large file from a stranger. A private streaming link is the standard way to send a demo.

SoundCloud is the most common choice. A private track on SoundCloud has a secret link that only people you share it with can open. If the link leaks, you can reset it, and the old link stops working. Some labels prefer Dropbox, Google Drive or a form upload, so check their rules first.

Follow these habits with every link you send:

• Turn on downloads only if the label asks for a file.
• Name the track with your artist name and the track title.
• Add the tempo and genre in the track description.
• Keep the link live for at least a few months.
• Never attach a WAV or MP3 to a cold email.

Big attachments often land in spam or get deleted unread. A&R people say this openly.

"A SoundCloud stream is far preferable as you can check quickly and download if it feels relevant."

– Andy Daniell, A&R Manager at Defected, in Attack Magazine

A clean link with good track details shows that you know how the process works.

The demo email template

A&R people read demos in batches, often on their phone. Keep your email short enough to read without scrolling. Say who you are, why this label, and give the link.

Here is a template you can adapt:

Subject: Demo: [Artist name] - [Track title] ([genre])

Hi [Name],

I'm [artist name], a [genre] producer from [city]. I've followed [Label name] since [release or artist they signed], and I think my new track sits close to that sound.

"[Track title]" is unreleased and not signed anywhere. Private link: [link]

[One line on any support, such as a DJ who played it, if true.]

Thanks for listening. I'd love to hear what you think.

[Name]
[Instagram or website]

Send one track, or two at most. Pick your strongest one and lead with it. If you want a version for each label, the pitch email generator writes a first draft from your track details.

Follow up once

Labels get many more demos than they can answer. Silence often means they have not listened yet, and a short follow-up is normal. Send it two to three weeks after the first email, in the same thread.

Hi [Name], just checking you had a chance to hear "[Track title]". The private link is still live: [link]. No pressure if it's not a fit for [Label name]. Thanks for your time.

After one follow-up, stop. If a few more weeks pass with no reply, treat it as a pass. Send the track to the next label on your list. Some labels say on their demo page that no reply means no, so check that too.

How to reply to a rejection

A no is still a reply, and a reply means someone listened. Answer it politely and keep the door open. A&R people remember artists who take feedback well.

Hi [Name], thanks for listening and for getting back to me. I appreciate the honest answer. If you have a moment, I'd value one line on what would make a track a better fit for [Label name]. I'll keep sending you my best work. Thanks again.

Do not argue, and do not resend the same track with small changes. Wait for a new track that fits better, and mention your last exchange.

Scam signs: pay-to-submit and fake labels

Some "labels" earn their money from the artists they sign. They ask for a fee to review your demo, to sign you, or to release your track. Real labels pay for releases or share income with you. They do not charge you to sign.

Be careful if a label does any of these things:

• It asks for money to listen to or sign your demo.
• It offers a deal within hours, with no sign that anyone heard the track.
• It has no catalog you can find on stores or streaming services.
• It promises chart positions, streams or press in return for a fee.
• It pushes you to sign fast and will not let you take the contract home.

A label that charges you to release your own music is selling a service to you. Walk away.

Contract basics to check before you sign

Read the contract in full before you say yes to any offer. This section is general information and not legal advice. For any real deal, ask a music lawyer to read it with you.

Check these points in every label contract:

• Rights. Is it a license for a set time, or does the label own the master forever?
• Term. How long does the label keep the rights, and do they come back to you?
• Territory. Is it worldwide or only some countries?
• Royalties. What share do you get, and is it from gross or net income?
• Costs. Which costs come out of your share before you get paid?
• Accounting. How often do they send statements, and can you audit them?
• Remixes and options. Can the label commission remixes or claim your next tracks?

If any part is unclear, ask the label to explain it in writing. A real label will answer. If they refuse or rush you, treat that as your answer.

Tools that help

Two free DemoPool tools save time here. The label finder shows labels that take demos in your genre. The pitch email generator writes a first draft you can edit.

Sources and further reading

These pages come from labels, A&R people and SoundCloud itself. Read them before your first round of demos.

• Attack Magazine: How to get your demo heard and your track released
• Armada Music: How to submit your demo
• SoundCloud Help: Sharing a private track or playlist
• SoundCloud Help: Resetting a secret link

Start with the Attack Magazine piece.