How To Submit Your Music To Universal Music Group (Ultimate Guide)

To submit your music to Universal Music Group, you should research their roster and labels and prepare a professional press kit. Properly submitting demos, contacting press managers, and demonstrating tactful persistence in follow-ups may give you a better chance.

Universal Music Group is one of the top multinational music corporations that you can submit your music to. That being said, it’s only natural that the corporation is one of the pickiest ones out there when it comes to signing new talent. However, it’s certainly not impossible!

To effectively submit your music to Universal, there are a few things you need to do. First and foremost, you have to research the company’s roster and labels.

1. Research Universal Music Group Roster and Labels

Before submitting your music to Universal Music Group, it’s crucial to spend time researching their roster and labels. This step will help you identify the genre and style of music that the company tends to promote, ensuring that your submission aligns with their preferences. By focusing on a genre within UMG that aligns with your music, you improve the likelihood of catching their attention and forging a strong connection.

Understanding UMG’s record labels and roster will not only help you tailor your submission for increased relevance, but it will also show that you’ve put in the effort to conduct research and target the right audience within the organization.

Demonstrating an intimate knowledge of their existing artists and genres reflects your commitment to working with UMG, which can make a valuable difference when decision-makers are listening to your music.

2. Preparing a Professional Press Kit

As you work towards submitting your music to Universal Music Group, assembling a professional press kit is an essential part of the process. Your press kit serves as a portfolio that showcases your talents and accomplishments, helping you make a lasting first impression on the decision-makers at UMG. With several key components, your press kit should focus on quality and professionalism.

Here are a few necessary elements to include in your press kit:

• Artist biography: A well-written, engaging biography outlining your personal background, musical journey, and accomplishments.
• High-quality music: Your best tracks in a high-quality format, displaying your unique talent and versatility.
• Promotional photos: Professionally taken photos that represent your artistic style and personality.
• Press clippings and testimonials: Positive reviews or quotes from industry professionals, showcasing your success and credibility.
• Electronic press kit (EPK) video: A short, captivating video introducing your music and providing a visual representation of your personal brand.

By combining these components into a polished, high-quality press kit, you effectively communicate your strengths, dedication, and professionalism to Universal Music Group. This preparedness speaks volumes about your commitment to your craft and increases your chance of catching the attention of UMG’s management team.

3. Submitting Demos and Contacting Press Managers

When submitting your music to Universal Music Group, creating and selecting the best demos is a crucial step to showcase your range as an artist. By presenting multiple demos, you offer a comprehensive understanding of your talent, style, and versatility. Along with preparing impressive demos, identifying and contacting press managers in your target genre further streamlines the submission process.

To optimize your submission, consider the following guidelines:

• Create several demos: Select a variety of tracks that highlight your unique sound and strengths within your genre.
• Research press managers: Locate artist press managers within UMG for your specific genre, as they’ll be the key contacts handling submissions and press releases.
• Follow submission guidelines: Adhere to Universal Music Group’s specific submission guidelines to ensure your materials are in the correct format and style. Your compliance to UMG’s code demonstrates your attention to detail and commitment to professionalism.
• Reach out to press managers: Contact relevant press managers professionally, explaining your interest in working with UMG and providing a brief introduction to your music. Attach your press kit and demo submissions for their review.

By selecting your most compelling demos, locating appropriate press managers, and adhering to submission guidelines, you significantly increase your chances of making a lasting impression on Universal Music Group’s decision-makers and expanding your musical career.

4. Follow-up and Persistence

After submitting your music and press kit to Universal Music Group, it’s critical to remain proactive and persistent in your efforts. Following up after your initial contact, maintaining patience, and continuously working on your industry relationships will increase your chances of gaining recognition from Universal Music Group.

Here are a few tips to help you stay on track:

• Follow up professionally: If you haven’t received a response within a reasonable timeframe, send a polite follow-up email, reiterating your interest in working with UMG and offering additional information or updates.
• Practice patience: Understand that the music industry is highly competitive, and responses may take time. If you’re not patient and push too much, you might end up in the spam folder.
• Keep networking: Attend industry events, collaborate with other musicians, and expand your professional network; these connections may eventually lead to opportunities with UMG or other prominent organizations.
• Stay updated about UMG: Regularly check Universal Music Group’s latest roster changes, new signings, and artist updates to stay informed and identify potential opportunities for yourself.

By following up, staying persistent, respecting company policy, and actively networking within the industry, you demonstrate your commitment to your music career and improve your chances of catching the attention of Universal Music Group. Staying proactive will ultimately help you make progress within a competitive industry and enhance your chances of success.

Conclusion

In conclusion, successfully submitting your music to Universal Music Group involves a combination of thorough research, professional preparation, and persistence if you want to get the labels’ A&R departments’ attention. By understanding UMG’s roster and record labels, you position yourself to align with the right genre and showcase your unique sound.

Assembling a polished press kit highlights your dedication, talent, and professionalism, while carefully submitting demos to the appropriate genre-specific press managers further increases your chance of making a lasting impression.

Finally, maintaining persistence, engaging in proactive follow-ups, and continuously networking within the industry is essential to enhance your visibility and improve your odds of establishing a fruitful relationship with Universal Music Group.