Take Me Seriously...

What I want to address here is the power of professional package submission. All too many artists will literally throw something together and hope for the best. Kind of like throwing mud against the wall. A poorly put together package reeks of laziness - a trait that no artist can possibly expect to live with today. It's just too competitive. If YOUR’E not serious how can you expect any music industry person to take you seriously?

So please take this aspect of the business seriously. I'm simply using my experience, for what it's worth, to show you how industry people will probably respond to you. I am talking about any music industry person you send something to. Assume these people are busy and only want to deal with professionals. Even if you are not pro, act like you are because I'll tell you - perception is everything.

Now let's assume that for every musical situation you will be required to put a different type of package together. I want to talk very generally here.

Contact Info
I’ve seen packages where the artists refuse to give me any idea who they are! Why? Why? Why? How can anyone omit this basic information? Your contact info should be on every single item you include in your package. Assume the worst - that items in your package get passed around the office and separated. Of course this could be the best scenario too - anyone passing your ingredients around the office must mean you are damn good (or embarrassingly bad!). Your contact info should include the name of your company (fictitious or otherwise), a contact name, an e-mail address and a phone number. Get a stamp made up or a label and mark this on all the items. Most of all make sure you have all this information on the CD.

Photo
Please have a professional photos created for yourself or group. If not, what does this tell me? This tells me you aren't used to dealing with professionals. And from this we can extrapolate that you probably aren't up to the mark. (And I can tell you - I have never listened to a CD that WAS up to the mark when a Polaroid photo was included. Never.) So get a proper photo done. Hire a professional. Spend some money. Save up if you have to. Take pride in how you present your image - it means everything. I'll tell you - in many situations it's AS important as your music!

Make it easy to open your package
The amount of times I have to use a chainsaw to open a package - it's not even funny. Please, do yourself a favor. Remove the shrink-wrap from the CD and don't over tape the envelope. It's not the bloody crown jewels we're dealing with here!

Label the CD
Here's my real pet peeve. I get so many CDs sent to me with absolutely nothing written on them. No label - not even a felt tip pen marker. Nothing. Nada. Why? Why? Why? For Pete's sake label the CD. Tell me who the artist is and include your contact info. Help me just a little - PLEASE!

Keep everything professional
Another thing that I get constantly is hand written notes begging for record deals. Well first, that is one big turn off because it tells me you need absolutely everything done for you. You are living in a dream world. Do your homework. Know exactly what you want from everyone you are sending a package to. Be specific. Don't just say "Hook me up fam!". What the hell does that mean? I can't tell you how many times I’ve seen that. It's meaningless. How should I respond? "OK, be at my office at 10:30am on Wednesday, I'll have Jay-Z waiting. He'll have the money for you!”

Think carefully about any document you include. If it's a one sheet, make it look intriguing and impressive (amongst a sea of one sheets!) Craft a bio that doesn't give away the fact that you've been knocking on music biz doors for 30 years. Create some mystery at every level. The word "veteran" should not be in your vocabulary unless you have had a very successful music career. Get a nice logo and use a computer for everything. If you want a reply, include a stamped self addressed envelope. Most of all show those you are submitting to that you really care. If you care, people will pay attention. If you don't why should anyone else?

Now, having said all of this, it's important that you get the music right. This is your number one priority. If the music's just lame, no amount of beautiful presentation can save it. But if the music is stunning, and you present yourself professionally, you just may have found a way in. Wouldn’t that be nice?

Nate Anderson is an Artist Manager and Music Business Consultant for SuperStar Entertainment Group, Inc based in Chicago, Illinois. He is available for private consultations regarding career development and artist representation. He can be reached by email at: managementmoves@gmail.com