Hip Hop publicist Arie Goode is here every week answering your email 
questions on industry how-to's and important Do's and Don'ts.

This week's question:

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]. 

 

Anyways, there are a few things to remember when submitting.

 

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.

 

Good luck!

Do you have something you'd like to know? Send me an

email: contactsaidarie[@]gmail.com and follow me on twitter

at: www.twitter.com/leirapr_ceo