What is a Demo? What is a Promo? and why is it important to get it right?
Music Demo vs Music Promo | What’s the Difference between a Demo and a Promo?
This is going to be a short article but please read it carefully.
When you are contacting record labels, blogs, promotional channels or radio stations, it’s important you are clear about what you want from them.
One of the most common mistakes made by artists is mislabelling their tracks.
The words ‘Promo’ and ‘Demo’ mean different things. Make sure you are using the correct label.
What is a music demo?
A demo is an unsigned track, album or body of work. It is used to demonstrate why a label, publisher or management company should sign you.
Demos are often still a work-in-progress.
Send Demos to record labels, management companies or publishers when you are trying to get signed.
What is a music promo?
A promo is a finished project that you are trying to promote.
Send music promos to DJ’s, radio stations, blogs and the press when you are trying to promote a record.
Why does this matter?
Many people in the music industry wear several hats. For example:
- Soundplate is both a record label and a blog.
- Claude Vonstroke is a world famous DJ and also the boss of Dirtybird Records.
If a DJ like Vonstroke sees an email with the subject line: “New promo for Claude Vonstroke” he will be expecting to hear music which he can play in his club sets and on the radio.
If the subject line is labelled ‘Demo’ he will be expecting to hear new music that he consider signing with his label.
If you are not clear about what you want the chances are you won’t get it.
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