Whether writing an email to promoters, venues or radio stations, there are a few things you can do to increase the chances of getting your message read.

1. Be prepared – do research, compile a list of possible venues and be ready to work through them with a friendly and well thought out email. If someone is interested, be prepared to discuss matters of budget, genre, performance and schedule.

2. Keep it simple – keep your opening email simple (about three paragraphs with three to four sentences in each). Don’t bombard the promoter with a lot of information right away. You need to sell your music and your identity as an artist, so present information in a concise and informative manner.

3. Don’t give up. You’re going to hear “no” a lot, so don’t be afraid to ask why. If the no is firm, remember that there will be plenty more opportunities that pop up. Be persistent. Keep tailoring your emails so that you find what works best for you.

A bonus hint: Your email shouldn’t be any longer than this post.

Want to learn more about the music business? Check out our popular FREE eBook – Advice for Young Musicians: From Established Music Professionals.

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Published by Shannon Kennedy

Shannon Kennedy is a vocalist and saxophonist living in Southern California. She is author of "The Album Checklist" and the founder of Teen Jazz. She has been contributing articles to music magaizines and websites since 2004.