How To Send CDs To Record Labels?

Still Sending CDs via US Mail?
I am NOT really a big fan of US mail, in fact if my wife doesn’t check it… then I’ll never see it. So I am less likely to mail a package or a VHS/DVD to anyone, but I will if I have to and you can believe it would be very crafty.

In case you are thinking along those lines of sending your music to record company expect  via direct mail…it is worth spending an $200 or $300 to get noticed if you are going after someone who is on high-profile status.

Here’s what normally happens. Up and coming artist: Sends a VHS or DVD to an address with a nice press kit. Looks good, sounds
great.

Here’s what I’d do: I would go to U HAUL buy a big BOX, paint that box white, get a few of your pictures pressed/printed on the box. Inside of that box you will find an Apple I Pod, A regular CD, A Press Kit, And A DVD of the artist performance, PLUS testimonials and screen shots of the website.

Why: That might cost $79 for the IPod, $20 for the box, $50 for the printing, and everything else I already have.

So my logic is, the recipient, even if it’s the secretary is going to at least tell 2 or 3 other people naturally. It simply can’t be ignored, it’s impossible to ignore a box like that when you understand that all they see everyday, all day is the same type of package, the same type of
folder, the same CD, etc. Having someone get up to accept that kind of package from FedEX or UPS is going to automatically give your package immediate attention.

There are at least 100 different ways to make that strategy more powerful, but I’m hoping you kind of see how you can take things to a new level for yourself and your music.

The Recap & Summary
The absolute #1 thing you can do in 2008 is aim to get more, piece by piece. If it’s emailing more then do that, if it’s calling more then do that. If it’s using ring-tones, try that. If it is getting more traffic to your website, do that. Often times it isn’t the big changes that make the biggest
difference, it’s the small changes.

In the example about getting a package to a big A&R, I wasn’t suggesting redoing the whole CD at a big studio in LA, or using a better photographer; the change was the box size and making it easier for the recipient to get your message/idea.