SELECTING THE RIGHT PROMO SONG

There’s more to putting a promo CD together than just loading it up with your favorite song(s).  in any promo CD, the essential ingredient is good music. As an upcoming act, your promo CD is your introduction letter”. Therefore, you need to make an excellent first impression, and the key to doing that, is picking the right song.

GETTING STARTED

Make a list of all the songs you have recorded, mixed and mastered. You might not have much, but make a list all the same.

Now listen critically to all of them. Try to listen like an average music fan or radio listener.  The first 20 seconds of any song is enough to make an impression on any OAP to know if the song is worth listening to or not. So put that in mind, when selecting the song(s) for your promo CD. If the music doesn’t really kick in until 1:20” Skip it. A good promo song must have a strong beginning, and the song doesn’t, it not worth the risk.

Which of your songs have the catchiest hook, beat or refrain? Use that! Truth is, most good songs have catchy hooks that stay in the listeners head, whether they like it or not. So the song that your listener won't be able to get out of their head will work best for you here.

You need to also solicit opinions. Get a few trusted friends and industry people: OAP’s DJs, especially those who are willing to offer you constructive criticism. Let them listen to your songs. Get their honest feedback and make changes as needed.

Resist the temptation of putting your favourite recorded song on your Promo CD. It might be your favourite, but test opinions of people who know about the business of music first, before concluding that everyone will like it.

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