How to send music to an A&R

The message

1. Their name and why them. One line on what they have signed that is close to your song.
2. Who you are. Name, role (artist, producer, writer), city.
3. The link. Made for them, playing in the browser, no sign-up needed.
4. One ask. A listen, a meeting, a placement. Not all three.

The songs

• Finished mixes, mastered or close, at the same loudness.
• The strongest song first: many listeners stop after the first one.
• Clear titles and your name on each song, so it still makes sense if shared inside the label.

After you send it

• Check whether the link was opened, and when.
• See which song they played and how far they got.
• Follow up with something specific, or move on.

Common questions

How many songs should I send an A&R?

Two or three. Lead with the one you would bet on. A long list reads as if you could not choose.

Should I send an MP3, a WAV or a link?

A link. Attachments fill their inbox, can be forwarded anywhere, and tell you nothing. A streaming link that plays in the browser is the norm.

When should I follow up?

After you know they listened, or after about a week if they have not opened it. A follow-up that names the song they played to the end lands better than a generic nudge.

Is it OK to send the same link to several A&Rs?

It works, but you lose track of who listened. A separate link per person tells you exactly which label played which song, and you can switch one off without touching the others.

Or send it from Songcase

In Songcase you make a private link for each person in a few seconds. It plays in any browser and never downloads; you can add a password, set it to end after 7, 30 or 90 days, or switch it off. For each link you see when it was opened, from which country and device, and for each song how many plays, how long they really listened, how far they got and which parts they heard. Songcase is free to start, with 3 private links a month. How to know who listened.