How to Send Demos to Electronic Music Labels

For many electronic music producers, finishing a track is the easy part. The difficult part comes next: sending it to record labels and hoping someone on the other end actually presses play.

This is where doubt creeps in. Questions about whether the track is good enough. Whether the label will even reply. Whether your music will disappear into an inbox full of hundreds of other demos. Rejection and silence are normal experiences in this process, but what many producers don’t realise is that demos are often ignored long before the music is even heard.

Getting signed is rarely about luck. More often, it comes down to understanding how electronic labels operate and presenting yourself in a way that fits into their workflow.

Research matters more than enthusiasm

Most producers start with a list of their favourite labels. That’s a natural instinct, but it’s not enough. Electronic labels build their identity around a very specific sound and audience. They plan releases months in advance, often filling their schedule seven or eight months ahead with only a handful of available slots across the year.

Looking beyond the obvious charts and digging into smaller labels that consistently release music aligned with your sound is far more effective than aiming blindly at the biggest names. It’s also important to be honest with yourself. If you are chasing trends or copying a style that is already saturated, a good label will recognise it immediately.

Originality is critical. If you are leaning heavily on recognisable samples from places like Splice, there is a strong chance the label has already heard those sounds in dozens of other demos.

You have to ask a difficult question: will this track still feel relevant in a year’s time when the label is ready to release it?

Email is still the professional standard

Despite the rise of social media, most labels do not take demo submissions through Instagram or Facebook messages. Email remains the preferred and most respected method of communication.

This is where many demos begin to fail. Messages that feel rushed, overly casual, or vague are often ignored before the music is even opened. The label does not know who you are, so you must introduce yourself properly. A brief background, any previous releases or achievements, and a clear explanation of why you chose that specific label go a long way.

Just as importantly, your message should be easy to read. Labels do not have time to read long emails. A clear, structured introduction with obvious listening links is far more effective than a long story.

Before sending anything, it’s also essential to check how the label actually wants to receive demos. Some prefer email, others use submission forms, and some specify subject line formats or required information. Ignoring these instructions is one of the most common reasons demos are skipped.

How you send your music is as important as the music itself

One of the most common mistakes producers make is attaching audio files. In electronic music, labels are far more likely to click a familiar streaming link such as SoundCloud, where private streaming and DJ testing are standard practice, than download unknown files.

Sending one track is rarely enough, but sending too many can be overwhelming. A small, cohesive group of three or four tracks that work together, much like an EP, gives the label a better understanding of your sound.

Snippets and unfinished ideas should never be sent. Professional mastering is also not essential at this stage. If a label is interested, they will often master the tracks through their own engineer.

Your SoundCloud activity tells a story

Exclusivity matters to labels. If they open a demo link and see dozens of plays, it suggests the track has already been widely circulated and potentially rejected elsewhere.

Using fresh, private links that have not been shared around preserves the feeling that the label is hearing the music first. Allowing downloads can also be helpful, as many label owners are artists themselves and may want to test tracks in their sets before committing.

Presentation now goes beyond the music

Labels increasingly look at the bigger picture. They may glance at your social profiles, previous releases, or online presence to understand whether there is an artist project they can consider building around. This doesn’t mean you need a huge following, but it does mean you should appear organised and serious about your work.

Having an Electronic Press Kit available makes this much easier. Platforms like demophoniq allow you to present your biography, releases, photos, links, and achievements in one professional place. For a label, this removes friction and makes it easier to understand who you are within seconds.

Following up without becoming a nuisance

If you haven’t heard back after two or three weeks, a short and polite follow-up is perfectly acceptable. Many demos are missed simply because inboxes are busy. A brief nudge can bring your music back to the top of the list.

This is where organisation becomes important. Once you start contacting multiple labels, it becomes surprisingly difficult to remember who you contacted, when you sent the demo, and whether you have already followed up.

The part nobody talks about

Sending demos properly is time-consuming. Researching labels, finding the correct contact method, writing tailored emails, managing links, tracking replies, and handling follow-ups can take hours for each submission.

Many producers start this process with good intentions but quickly become overwhelmed, leading them to rush it or abandon it altogether.

Tools built specifically for producers, such as demophoniq, help centralise your press kit and keep your information organised, allowing you to approach labels professionally without the administrative burden that usually comes with it.

Final thoughts

Getting signed to an electronic music label is not just about making great tracks. It is about understanding how labels think, respecting their process, and presenting yourself in a way that fits into their workflow.

Do this well, and you dramatically increase the chances of your music being heard.

Do it poorly, and your demo may never even be opened.