How To Submit Your Music For Awards
From the time they strum their first guitar, every independent musician dreams of finding success in the music industry. The process of creating music is passionate. In addition to their soul, artists give their blood, sweat, and tears to their craft in hopes they someday they will turn their love into a lasting career. A great way to get taken seriously as a musician while growing your brand is to submit your music for various industry awards.
It’s safe to say that winning a music award or even being selected as a nominee can thrust you into the spotlight. This opportunity brings many possibilities, including new revenue opportunities and exposure to millions of new potential fans. It can also open doors previously closed to you. And you can use this buzz to create unique marketing opportunities for your music career in ways you’ve never dreamed of.
If we just piqued your interest, there’s one thing you need to do before you can bask in your awards. First, you need to submit your music for awards. Let our team of music industry experts at Mirada Media guide you through that process. Who knows, maybe your dreams of being an award-winning artist are closer than you think.
Pick the Right Award
It is crucial to understand that your music won’t fit every music award out there. You must take the time to research different music awards and find out what their expectations are and who makes up their target audience. For example, if you are a country musician, you likely don’t want to submit your music to the Native American Music Awards.
Only by choosing an award that truly matches both your personality as a musician and your composition style will you have a genuine chance of succeeding. Every musical award in the industry has a FAQ page where you can learn more about them. Be sure to consider your musical genre and how closely you align with both before choosing to submit.
Adhere to the Guidelines
You may not be aware, but there are hundreds of different musical awards out there, each with its own list of stringent submission guidelines. These guidelines vary in everything from approved formats to multiple deadlines to meet for consideration. We share all of that to say that you can be sure the Independent Music Awards is looking for something a bit different than the Pulitzer Music Awards!
The easiest way to adhere to these varying guidelines is to thoroughly check the FAQ section and instructions for submitting your music. You don’t want to risk forfeiting the chance to have your name in lights over an unchecked box on a form! In your search, keep an eye out for important details like:
What is the deadline?
What digital format should your music be in?
Is there a specific genre you have to conform to?
Does it matter when the music was recorded or initially released?
Choose an Appropriate Musical Selection
Picking the correct song to submit for music awards matters, but it goes beyond genre. As an independent artist, you likely have dozens, if not hundreds, of tracks to choose from, and it can be challenging to know which one is a winner. Picking an appropriate musical selection, of course, depends on which award you apply to. You want to pick a track that appeals to a variety of music lovers and showcases your talent. It is a delicate balance!
Sophie Koh, a previous winner of the well-known Independent Music Awards, shares her opinion on how to choose a song:
“I think music with lyrics that can capture an honest core human moment is alchemy for a great song.”
Consider Your Competition
What strengths and weaknesses do other musicians in your genre have? In what areas do you outshine them? You won’t be the only musician competing for the award you are submitting for, so an in-depth understanding of your competition can be beneficial. The ultimate goal is to appear to be a stronger and more talented musician than your competition, so understanding them will help bring the spotlight to you.
Examine what they do well and compare it to your creative process and brand. Do they have stronger vocals? Are your lyrics feel more original and evoke more emotion? Play to your strengths while trying to appeal to their weaknesses as well. Knowing this information can help you appeal better to the consideration committee.
Budget Accordingly
Rarely in life is anything genuinely free. The same goes for submitting your music for industry awards. You may be surprised to learn that you often pay fees when you submit your music for awards. These fees can cost anywhere between a few dollars to a few thousand dollars.
Because you’re responsible for paying the fees, you need to find a way to absorb the cost without breaking the bank. If you’re looking to enter a competition with a higher fee, consider making it a goal for the following music cycle and budget accordingly. By slowly stacking your savings throughout the year, you can meet your goal well before the deadline. Think of it as an investment in your future.
Be Prepared to Handle the Publicity
One of the most significant benefits of submitting your music for awards is exposure. Even if you don’t win or aren’t selected as a nominee, you may discover a rise in popularity, request for event bookings, and more.
You need to ask yourself, are you prepared for the shift that comes with being considered for an award? Can you adjust accordingly? What if new fans are eager to buy merchandise? Can you match their demand? Are your tracks readily available for download? If not, you could be missing out on an invaluable opportunity.
Also, consider your schedule and how much room you have for growth. Bigger industry awards like the IMAs, for example, select nominees for countless promotional ads, polls, and press events, so be ready for these opportunities if you are lucky enough to get them.
Mirada Media
Becoming a successful musician is a long road filled with challenges. The path is even more difficult for independent musicians trying to be true to their passion while discovering how to market themselves and attract new fans. There are so many things to consider, and sometimes, you don’t know where to start. That’s where Mirada Media comes in. As experts in the music industry, we are your go-to resource for all things independent artists need to know about how to make their name known.
Check back with us next week for more insightful tips, tricks, and best practices for the music industry. Contact our team today!