does sending a demo really work?

Question

I have a natural voice and I just wanna know if i send an demo toa record company would it work or even get me far

Answer 1

if you send it to the right person - or have someone with connections makes sure it's heard by the right person - most certainly it works

Answer 2

Most majors won't accept an open submission. You have to approach an A&R person and write them a letter in advance and ask if they will let you submit.

YOu generally need to get the demo to someone who knows someone.

Most labels won't work without unless you have major management or funding to the tune of $150,000. THey also like to see you live on stage performing, but that's not always hard and fast.

Sad to say, but voices and talent is a dime a dozen. What they are looking for is someone with a complete package that will make them money.

The music business is commissioned sales. They front you (advance against commission) a little money, tie you up in an exclusive 10 year contract, then send you a bill 4 times a year showing how in debt to them you are. As you sell records that debt drops. You don't see one red cent until they get that debt down. First record debt can go as high as $1 million.

You make 12% of $5 for each unit sold or about 50 cents. That means you must sell 2 million records bought and paid for just to break even.

That means double platinum and royalties can 2 - 3 years behind sales, so you won't see 2 million in sales from the firstr record until around the time you are making your 3rd record, and by then you are $3 million in debt.

YOu don't have to pay that back, but they don't pay you one red cent until that cost is cleared. Then you start making money, maybe $15,000 a quarter off royalties.

Answer 3

First of all you need to contact a record company of your choice. They'll give you the info you need. Coumbia, RCA, and numerous others. They may want you to do a demo for them under contract and they'll actually pay for the demo. If your good enough and you really have to be good they'll sign you to a real contract. It takes a lot of money to sign on a new artist and they have to know that they're getting their moneys worth. Good luck.