5 Reasons Why Music Demos Get Rejected

Sometimes I think home recording studios became affordable because many musicians were tired of trying to get a record deal. More times than not, no ones demo gets listened to. It goes directly into the trash bin! Why? Here are some reasons why demos do not get accepted.

Reason # 1: No Contact Information
Sometimes I think we get so excited that we forget very important things, and this is the cream of the crop. If you don't put down your name, address, email, phone number, website, how is anyone supposed to find you? When you are sending out your demo, make sure that you are not distracted in anyway, and keep focused on what you are doing. When you are finished making your demo, check and make sure you have your: a) Contact Information b)Best songs highlighted

Reason # 2: You Can't Play
There are many people out there who love music as much as musicians, but they simply cannot play well. If you want an honest opinion on how well you can play, don't ask your friends or family-unless they are a licensed professional. If a music teacher says you can play well, or you are a great singer, you can believe them.

Reason # 3: You're Awesome, But, No Ones Ever Heard Of You
This is kind of silly, to me, but if you don't play live, no one will ever take a chance on you. It's like they don't believe that you can sell your music. They will be interested only if you 'prove' you can sell, then they will be your very best friend. It has happened to many a band a lot of times. They couldn't get a record deal, so they go it alone only to have the same company bending over backwards to get them to sign their lives away later on.

Reason # 4 A Bad Demo
If the demo sounds horrible, that's a really good reason to send people running away. If you can't afford to book some time in a studio, the best thing to do is to do a simple piano/vocal or guitar/vocal. Some people do ask for that, while a few others want the whole nine yards. If you can't afford it, best to find "real" people who only want to hear the content: lyrics, music, voice. That is done quite easily with just an instrument and a voice.

Reason # 5 You Sent Your Rock Demo To A Country & Western Guy!
Don't waste your time, on a demo, and possibly some money only to send it to the wrong person. They are not going to answer, and just throw it out. Know what your music is, and know the right person to send it to. Read reason # 1 again so you won't forget.