Tip #1 – Put your contact information on everything.
This may sound simple but it is one of the biggest mistakes people make when they send me demos. Use a clear font like Arial or NY Time Roman at decent size.

If you are sending a CD make sure the CD is clearly labeled with your name, phone number, email address and website if you have one.

This same information should appear on your business card if you have one as well.

Make sure if your sending a picture you include your information on that as well. Most professional headshots can have your name and contact info at the bottom of the photo. If you cant afford big time photography at least right your contact info on the back of the picture with a sharpie marker or something.

If your using a folder or some other type of portfolio make sure the information is on the outside of the folder as well.

Important Indusrty Tip. Include your government name on your info especially if your under 18 or still living with some one else. There is nothing funnier then returning a phone call to some one name “Blaze” Or “Murderer”. This is a true story. Ring, Ring . Your mom picks up the phone. “Hello is Murder there” – “Who” There aint no murder here what r you talking about. Is this some kind of sick joke” Then a younger brother in the background yells “that’s Frankie mom hes a rapper.”

Tip #2 – A Good CD Cover.
Unless your Demo is professionally duplicated stay away from a crazy looking CD cover unless you feel itwill really make you stand out from the crowd. Bad CD art work screams “I’m new at this throw my demo in the trash” If your not an art genius or cant get good artwork for your CD then just leave it off. A Clear Jewel case with a nice crisp white label and black text looks pretty professional. Bad covers are a big turn off.

Tip #3 – You got 15 seconds, maybe a minute.
The 15 sec rule is a must. One of the most common mistakes new rappers and singers make is not getting to the point. Most people in the music industry have very short attention spans when it comes to listening to demos. If 30 seconds of the beat have passed by and you have said is “What Whuh, Yeah Uh Uh, Yeah we going to do this.” Its going in the trash. By 15 seconds I should know your stage name and being hearing some lyrics. Do your shout outs at the end of the track. Get to the point. I wouldn’t wait to long to get a hook in there either.

Tip #4 – Good sound quality.
We have reached a point that recording quality is no longer expensive. Studio time can be found dirt cheap in many places. Equipment has also become affordable enough to put your own small studio together on a very limited budget. That said most people demos still sound like crap. Distortion, Static, Noise, cant hear the vocals. The list goes on and on and on. There are 2 ways to solve thisGet some one that knows what there doing or have some one teach you how to do it. If you are going to a studio ask to hear something they have recorded. If it doesn’t sound good or clear then find some one else. When recording yourself I would recommend having some one that is more experienced do the mixing. I would even recommend talking to whom ever your going to have mix your project or tracks before you start recording . Doing this will make life easier for both of you and you’ll end up with a better sounding product.

Most people always ask why is sound quality important? Why cant they just heart my talent? Well part of the answer to that is very often the recording is so bad it is impossible to make out the lyrics, let alone want to listen to. Its also important because your demo is competing with many others that actually do have good sound quality.

Tip #5 – Get help.
If you are putting your demo together and have questions it is better to seek help and do things in a more professional manner then do everything your self and sacrifice quality. Use the people that you have around you for help. Friends can be good at offering you suggestions and its always good to have another view of things. Incorporating your family and friends into your project will also show them you are serous about what your doing and gain there support. Now im not saying you should get your mom to do your graphic design or something but to put out a professional looking and sounding product you will need help and support.

Peace
Producer / Engineer - Jazdout