"Peace Ari, I hear a lot of indie music on reality T.V. shows. I don't have a publicist, but want to submit my music. How should I do this?" - Miller

 

Isn't reality TV amazing and mind numb-ingly addictive all at the same time [laughing].

 

 

For starters find out who the music supervisor is for the program you are interested in and if they accept unsolicited material. Many studios and large production companies don't. Once the submission guidelines have been established, continue with your due diligence and make sure you're targeting the right show for your style of music, its demographic etc. You don't want to send Disney a track that's perfect for the next generation of "Menace to Society" [laughing].

 

It's also important to remember, just like other media, these music supervisors receive hundreds of packets a week so you want to keep your submissions organized, direct and to the point. In this case I'd suggest submitting all your material via old fashion snail mail with your music on a CD accompanied by an organized (easy to read) track list and all artist information. Labeling each track is very important.

 

After submitting everything it's always good (and deemed appropriate) to confirm receipt of material. I'd suggest via email. Don't call or stalk [laughing]. Once you know your material has been received, go about your life. In television once you're in their system if they want or need your music, they'll pull it and notify you.

 

There are never any guarantees that your music will get picked and placed, but submitting your material definitely increases your chances.

 

Also REMEMBER: Clearance problems are always an issue (i.e. rights to music, actual ownership etc.) Make the publishing and master info as noticeable as possible, especially if you control both.

 

 

 

"How do I go about putting together a press release/press blast for a song for an artist I represent?" - Justin W.

 

Despite what most think press releases are quite simple to draft. Especially if you stick to one important rule "Keep it simple!"

 

Seriously, especially when it comes to announcing the release of an artist's new song, event, and things of that nature. Now, you say "Gee Arie, why must I keep it simple and as direct as possible?"

 

Fact, your press release is one of millions sent to various media outlets and daily news wires. You ONLY have 15 seconds if that to convince editors and program directors why they should cover, interview or attend what your press release is announcing. Don't lose their attention trying to sound overly professional and wordy with nonsense no one cares about. Cause, please believe, you will get passed over to the trash w/in the first 3.5 seconds if your point doesn't appear to be in the next sentence. Think I'm lying??... Try the wordy game and keep me posted on your results. [Laughing]

 

Press releases are nothing more than the 5 "W's" and 1"H" (depending on the topic): Who, What, When, Where, Why and the occasional How. [Takes you back to grade school right? Go figure.] Hell some press releases are literally in the format of:

 

 

Contact Info (Blah, Blah, Blah)

 

Title

(Sub title)

 

WHO:
WHAT:
WHEN:
WHERE
WHY:
HOW:

###

(Indicates end of release)

 

While other releases are in the invisible format, without listing each "W" factor. You may use whatever format floats your boat. Below are a few links to some very useful sites with FREE press release templates. Also, a great resource is Google. By Google-ing press releases similar to what you're trying to draft, you'll have a better idea of how such releases should look.

 

 

"Arie, I feel like my music is getting buried in the virtual piles of emails submitted to music editors. Is it still acceptable to submit hard materials such as CDs, and physical press kits?" - f.c.

 

In one word YES!!!!.... However, with 90something percent of popular media being independent and some even being run out of America's dorm rooms and in the basements of some very understanding parents [laughing] it may be difficult to locate a physical mailing address to submit your material(s) to.

 

Yes, I said it! Despite the flash and popularity, there's a good chance your favorite music/video site is maintained in the comfort of someones home. At least until they get their numbers up and sold to a larger commercial multimedia conglomerate [laughing]... Nothing like the entrepreneurial spirit - Anyways, I digress.

 

For those publications that publicly list their mailing address or P.O. Box, definitely submit your QUALITY music and non-spam promos. Heck, some even though not widely publicized... prefer it and I think you may have a better chance of getting your music heard as long as it's not on cassette [wink].

 

Who knows you may also grab some extra consideration points, cause it takes more effort to package and pay for postage then it does to click a button. There's almost something slightly humbling about receiving an artists CD in the mail; ask any editor that's normally bombarded by a virtual sea of spam.

 

What say you music editors? Let me know.