How good does a demo have to be?
Most publishers we interview say that if the song is good – they will recognise the quality in spite of the lack of sophistication of the demo. However, nowadays, many demos are of a high standard, and it is becoming increasingly difficult to have yourself taken seriously if you promote a very basic demo. Having said that, remember that the demo is not everything. A strong demo will not sell a weak song no matter how much you spend, and frequently, the excuse of a “poor demo” is used to by publishers to turn down songs that are in themselves weak anyway. Where can I get up-to-date lists of publishers, labels and artists? Some libraries stock trade directories – many don’t. In the USA, we particularly like Billboard Buyer’s Guide (a very comprehensive listing of US labels and publishers, plus a less detailed but equally accurate listing for most overseas territories). They also publish the Billboard International Talent And Touring Directory, which lists management contact for a myriad
