Sending dubs? Here's some help: Dub Etiquette...

[LA_Boxers]

well written article and good read that.

i tend to do little batch review of promos/demos to avoid getting fatigue of them. One the big things i find when people send stuff is jus how bad the approach is... they either seem to send no info, couple of lines expecting you to check it or some generic blag... all of which make me reach for delete.

Part thr problem it seems to me is people forget common curtisy and people skills. Business be in music or anything else is all down to relationships, and just because its email doesnt mean you do anything different to how you would otherwise. If someones took time to see how they fit label and genuine express what theyre bringing to the table, your always going to check the track...

other biggie is streamable music. no one wants to download 80meg jus to check a track...

I think the problem people have is that if they've spend 15-20 minutes writing a specific email to a specific label that they are really interested in and think they would fit in with for it to be not even read/have no response from then they may be sitting on a really good track that nobody is going to hear. I know writing to 100 different labels within the same email is really not the way to go, but I dont really think there is a happy medium. If labels were more forthcoming with any type of feedback then I think people may take a little more time and effort with their sending of emails. I dont mean to sound ungreatful or rude here, I'm just trying to work out what labels are looking for when emails get sent. I want to put the effort in but I dont just want to be wasting my time either.

[ForbiddenFruitRecord]

LA - I understand where you coming from, but with respect to that I wouldn't send your stuff to a 100 labels. I'd focus on the sound of a dozen or so and try and develop relationships with those initially.

I cant speak for everyone, but if someone send a genuine email, and taken time to think about relevance of tracks and what they offer, I always reply. Equally before i started my label that was the approach i took and generally had some response, even if its to say not our sound at the moment. You just have to stick with it, and appreciate the good labels get alot of offers...just like hot chics, they cant be polite to everyone who tries to pull them ;p, but that doesn't mean you shouldn't start off well.

[LA_Boxers]

Cool mate. Thats the sort of info that we need. Actual input from labels in what they are looking for from an initial email shows us where we are going wrong and what we can do to give ourselves a better chance. So thats appreciated. Cheers.

[DFRNT]

really good read. I have a question, if I wanted to send a dub to a big DJ, how would I send it to them? by that I mean by what means would I contact them? on here? facebook? soundcloud?

Why not ask them first? It does no harm to be polite an straightforward. If they're interested they'll probably tell you. Some prefer email, some AIM, some Soundcloud - I covered some of that in the article though.

[LA_Boxers]

really good read. I have a question, if I wanted to send a dub to a big DJ, how would I send it to them? by that I mean by what means would I contact them? on here? facebook? soundcloud?

Why not ask them first? It does no harm to be polite an straightforward. If they're interested they'll probably tell you. Some prefer email, some AIM, some Soundcloud - I covered some of that in the article though.

I think he means how does he contact them in order to find out how theyd like them sent over.....correct me if im wrong Mr Dubloke.

[DFRNT]

really good read. I have a question, if I wanted to send a dub to a big DJ, how would I send it to them? by that I mean by what means would I contact them? on here? facebook? soundcloud?

Why not ask them first? It does no harm to be polite an straightforward. If they're interested they'll probably tell you. Some prefer email, some AIM, some Soundcloud - I covered some of that in the article though.

I think he means how does he contact them in order to find out how theyd like them sent over.....correct me if im wrong Mr Dubloke.

In that case - the choice is up to you. Use whatever method you think would work the best. Think about whether that person might use Facebook, Soundcloud, AIM, or MySpace, or respond to private messages on DSF.

You can ask people you know if they have a contact for whoever you're trying to get in touch - referrals will always work well, since then you have a good starting point.

To begin with I used to cold-message people on MySpace, or send them private messages on the forum. As I grew my contact list, I'd be able to ask people if they had contacts for certain artists and then over time you can refine your list, and narrow it down to something acceptable. Now I sometimes use Facebook, and sometimes Soundcloud - often all these profiles will end up messaging or alerting the same email inbox.

It takes time to build up a solid list of people to send to. Some producers and DJs are hard to track down, and some will list their email address on their site.

Soundcloud is a nice new-ish way to get in touch - I find a nice personal message can work on there too.

DON'T...

1 - Do a reply-all to an email you were CCd in on that someone's failed to properly address with BCC (you know, the one where you see a list of everyone it went to). If you want to use any of the addresses you see I'd suggest a nicely written PERSONAL email asking if that particular recipient is interested in recieving your dubs in future. Then you'll be more likely to make an impression or be remembered.

2 - Bombard people with messages on every available network. Give them time to respond and if one doesn't work - try another. Spamming them from every angle will NOT work in your favour. As someone who is essentially adding to their workload or pestering them, you're already not their favourite person - you have to prove to them that you have the musical ability, and that you're not going to bombard them with shit.

DO

1 - Give them an easy option to unsubscribe, or be removed from your list - there's nothing more annoying than getting crap in your inbox that you can't unsubscribe.

2 - Be polite. Make it personal if you can. People like to know that you know who they are and what they do. They're not interested if you're not.

3 - Give them an option to stream, or the option to download - as mentioned by someone above - a very good tactic. Sometimes people want to check the track prior to downloading a massive file. I find Soundcloud works well for streaming - you can skip to the good looking bits, and you can often see if it's going to get too repetetive or boring.

[DFRNT]

well written article and good read that.

i tend to do little batch review of promos/demos to avoid getting fatigue of them. One the big things i find when people send stuff is jus how bad the approach is... they either seem to send no info, couple of lines expecting you to check it or some generic blag... all of which make me reach for delete.

Part thr problem it seems to me is people forget common curtisy and people skills. Business be in music or anything else is all down to relationships, and just because its email doesnt mean you do anything different to how you would otherwise. If someones took time to see how they fit label and genuine express what theyre bringing to the table, your always going to check the track...

other biggie is streamable music. no one wants to download 80meg jus to check a track...

I think the problem people have is that if they've spend 15-20 minutes writing a specific email to a specific label that they are really interested in and think they would fit in with for it to be not even read/have no response from then they may be sitting on a really good track that nobody is going to hear. I know writing to 100 different labels within the same email is really not the way to go, but I dont really think there is a happy medium. If labels were more forthcoming with any type of feedback then I think people may take a little more time and effort with their sending of emails. I dont mean to sound ungreatful or rude here, I'm just trying to work out what labels are looking for when emails get sent. I want to put the effort in but I dont just want to be wasting my time either.

You don't need to spend quite that long writing detailed emails - just write something more personal than "yo, check out my tunes please" - a compliment or two will go a long way.

The more someone puts in to writing to me nicely, the more effort I put in to thecking their tunes. Fair and square - I like to see that someone's made the effort to properly say hello instead of the usual nonsense.

Also - think about it like an interview. You wouldn't turn up to an interview with the same generic answers. You'd research the company, and have answers specific to the job role and what you felt about the company etc. After all - They're going to sign your track, master it, sort the artwork, release it, promote it, sort possible production and manufacturing, distribution, and basically big it up for a common profit, and love of the music - the least you could do was spend 10 minutes writing them something nice.

You win some, you lose some. I'll bet you've wasted 10-15 minutes checking facebook, listening to tunes, smoking a joint, whatever - that you could have written a nice email in.

[dubloke]

really good read. I have a question, if I wanted to send a dub to a big DJ, how would I send it to them? by that I mean by what means would I contact them? on here? facebook? soundcloud?

Why not ask them first? It does no harm to be polite an straightforward. If they're interested they'll probably tell you. Some prefer email, some AIM, some Soundcloud - I covered some of that in the article though.

I think he means how does he contact them in order to find out how theyd like them sent over.....correct me if im wrong Mr Dubloke.

In that case - the choice is up to you. Use whatever method you think would work the best. Think about whether that person might use Facebook, Soundcloud, AIM, or MySpace, or respond to private messages on DSF.

You can ask people you know if they have a contact for whoever you're trying to get in touch - referrals will always work well, since then you have a good starting point.

To begin with I used to cold-message people on MySpace, or send them private messages on the forum. As I grew my contact list, I'd be able to ask people if they had contacts for certain artists and then over time you can refine your list, and narrow it down to something acceptable. Now I sometimes use Facebook, and sometimes Soundcloud - often all these profiles will end up messaging or alerting the same email inbox.

It takes time to build up a solid list of people to send to. Some producers and DJs are hard to track down, and some will list their email address on their site.

Soundcloud is a nice new-ish way to get in touch - I find a nice personal message can work on there too.

DON'T...

1 - Do a reply-all to an email you were CCd in on that someone's failed to properly address with BCC (you know, the one where you see a list of everyone it went to). If you want to use any of the addresses you see I'd suggest a nicely written PERSONAL email asking if that particular recipient is interested in recieving your dubs in future. Then you'll be more likely to make an impression or be remembered.

2 - Bombard people with messages on every available network. Give them time to respond and if one doesn't work - try another. Spamming them from every angle will NOT work in your favour. As someone who is essentially adding to their workload or pestering them, you're already not their favourite person - you have to prove to them that you have the musical ability, and that you're not going to bombard them with shit.

DO

1 - Give them an easy option to unsubscribe, or be removed from your list - there's nothing more annoying than getting crap in your inbox that you can't unsubscribe.

2 - Be polite. Make it personal if you can. People like to know that you know who they are and what they do. They're not interested if you're not.

3 - Give them an option to stream, or the option to download - as mentioned by someone above - a very good tactic. Sometimes people want to check the track prior to downloading a massive file. I find Soundcloud works well for streaming - you can skip to the good looking bits, and you can often see if it's going to get too repetetive or boring.

Yeah thats it Boxers.

Thanks for the response DFRNT, really helpful. Ended up sending the person a message on here asking if he had a special dubs email or if I was alright to send it over here, and also a soundcloud link to the track so that if he doesnt like it he doesnt have to download it because it would be a WAV. Hopefully he does though

[lone wolf]

Excellent thread. Good read indeed.

[divvyt]

[circoinverso]

[nakedlunch]

I'm just trying to work out what labels are looking for when emails get sent.

Original exciting music.

[Pistonsbeneath]

I'm just trying to work out what labels are looking for when emails get sent.

Original exciting music.

that is an entirely subjective notion

an owner of a very well known label is now bored of a lot of stuff that someone like mala and youngsta would instantly release as they think the sound is done

also originality for originalities sake is an affectation literally....just making what comes natural and sounds good to you is the realest approach

look at youngstas selections, theyre hardly all about originality...he just wants a killer mixdown of minimal elements that create an atmosphere of dread, thats been dubstep for some time

[110shitteam]

really smart way to about things.

[refillmaker]

Class Post Dude. Thanks.

[secondnature]

[friendlystrangers]

very helpful post. i'm new here so it's definitely good to see posts that show a willingness to help producers that are struggling to get attention (read: me).

[Zakhopper316]

The quotes from those label guys are fantastic and invaluable ! Thanks for this

[Loz_Idea]

well written article and good read that.

i tend to do little batch review of promos/demos to avoid getting fatigue of them. One the big things i find when people send stuff is jus how bad the approach is... they either seem to send no info, couple of lines expecting you to check it or some generic blag... all of which make me reach for delete.

Part thr problem it seems to me is people forget common curtisy and people skills. Business be in music or anything else is all down to relationships, and just because its email doesnt mean you do anything different to how you would otherwise. If someones took time to see how they fit label and genuine express what theyre bringing to the table, your always going to check the track...

other biggie is streamable music. no one wants to download 80meg jus to check a track...

I think the problem people have is that if they've spend 15-20 minutes writing a specific email to a specific label that they are really interested in and think they would fit in with for it to be not even read/have no response from then they may be sitting on a really good track that nobody is going to hear. I know writing to 100 different labels within the same email is really not the way to go, but I dont really think there is a happy medium. If labels were more forthcoming with any type of feedback then I think people may take a little more time and effort with their sending of emails. I dont mean to sound ungreatful or rude here, I'm just trying to work out what labels are looking for when emails get sent. I want to put the effort in but I dont just want to be wasting my time either.

You don't need to spend quite that long writing detailed emails - just write something more personal than "yo, check out my tunes please" - a compliment or two will go a long way.

The more someone puts in to writing to me nicely, the more effort I put in to thecking their tunes. Fair and square - I like to see that someone's made the effort to properly say hello instead of the usual nonsense.

Also - think about it like an interview. You wouldn't turn up to an interview with the same generic answers. You'd research the company, and have answers specific to the job role and what you felt about the company etc. After all - They're going to sign your track, master it, sort the artwork, release it, promote it, sort possible production and manufacturing, distribution, and basically big it up for a common profit, and love of the music - the least you could do was spend 10 minutes writing them something nice.

You win some, you lose some. I'll bet you've wasted 10-15 minutes checking facebook, listening to tunes, smoking a joint, whatever - that you could have written a nice email in.

good point and great thread, some very useful information, came at the right time as I'm looking to send out some music soon

[John Jackson]