This year I am looking for Business Cards

[Casey H]

One additional thing. I do not recommend mp3 CDs. You really want CD quality wav if possible. That is why it is so important to put info on the CD and Cover. If you must do mp3, make sure you note it, so the listener knows.

Yes, definitely burn AUDIO CD's from your source .wav or .aif mixes. Many CD players in cars and elsewhere don't play mp3 CD's and your CD could get tossed in the "bad CD" pile. There is really no excuse for providing an mp3 CD. If you're a pro, you know how to burn an audio CD. At least that would be the very reasonable expectation.

Casey

[bete]

I have just created the absolute worst set of business cards you could ever fear to see. While they are ugly and plain, each is unique (unless I give out more than 10, as I did duplicate the same page in my documents). Please Dave, and all other library heads, publishers, and artists, laugh with me rather than behind my back. And please take my songs seriously, despite my failings in the most elementary technological skills. I can explain why if necessary.
Bette

[Cat Herder]

If I can read it, you will be heard. Just don't look unprofessional (sharpie). I may chuckle, the next guy may say "What's This". To me plain business cards are great. All this said, I have only thrown business cards away that I cannot easily read (black font on dark blue card, font so small you need a microscope, etc). I have never chosen a composer because there card was fancy. That is a combination of first impressions and demos.

[Kazak]

Hi Cat Herder:

I have done the professional business cards & CDs and have everything recommended.

Do you accept "mail in" CDs from Kazakhstan?

[Cat Herder]

Well Alicia, if you have everything recommended I will accept a business card from Kazakhstan.

[shellsings]

Thanks for the info Dave! got plenty of business cards, the writing turned out a bit small, but I have magnets too
See you at the Rally!

This year I am really going to be more interested in business cards than I have been in the past, but only if you have demos on-line (Web site, Youtube, TAXI Page or other locations) that I can listen to. It has now come to the point I can no longer handle hundreds of CDs. They have become a sludge pile that I look at in dread (not a happy thought I know, but a real one) I really prefer a plain white (easy to read) business card with your name, phone number, site or TAXI page, and above all your e-mail address. Personally I do not need your address at this point. If I like what I hear I can get that later. In place of your address you might consider putting some information about what genres you feel most confident in, i.e. Orchestral, Soundtrack, Hip Hop, Contemporary Pop, Country Vocals, etc. You can even write a note or list on the back to help me along. I can place the stack right on my desk and when I have the inspiration and time I can pop a card and have a listen.

This all said, you should bring CDs, and plenty. When I accepted CDs I preferred thin line ones, square or paper, not round. They are easy to stack as well. Make your CD's "easy to read" (Sharpie Sloppy says something about the composer), and put your track genres on the cover so the reviewer can see, by the track, what to listen to. Match your label to the cover incase the reviewer gets them confused. A couple years ago I accidentally dropped a box of demos and had some CDs with nothing to identify them. Unfortunately I just had no idea what was who.

One last thing I would like to suggest; be respectful. Some mentors and panelist have drop boxes. Use the drop box for the CD, and the face to face time to get acquainted. When I did take CDs I just walked over to the box and dropped them anyway. I seldom, if ever, remember a person by the CD (except that hot blonde, but that is another story). You may consider a photo in the case. If you had a productive chat it may help the person remember you. Make sure the photo looks like you, not some glamor shot that really is touched up beyond recognition. Don't be pushy or insistent if the mentor suggests he or she is not accepting CDs or music. I have a tendency of remembering those people. After all we are people too. If you are polite and respectful you will get all we have to offer.

Dave Trotter

[shellsings]

Good info

I am bringing about 8 CD with most of my songs, and 10 of a 6 song demo CD with my best songs.

years prior I brought like 25 CD's and just ended up handing them out everywhere to anyone... This year I will be more strategic

Thanks, Dave; reinforces my decision not to bring CDs, beyond a few for the listening sessions. I'll make sure those have all the relevant info printed directly on them.

Remember... Dave's not accepting CD's but others will be. Some prefer to work exclusively through Internet links from business cards, others genuinely prefer CD's (so they can work/listen while sitting in LA traffic I guess ). It's crazy to bring 60 or 100 CD's but it's good planning (in my oh-so-humble opinion ) to be prepared. If you brought 20 and returned with 19... no big deal. But, if someone you'd like to do business with says "Can you give me a CD?" and you say "No, I didn't bring any"... then maybe no "big deal" either (if you catch my drift ).

[shellsings]

Darn- my font came out too small, but on the back of the card my website address is big and I have a QR Code... Don;t hate me because of my small font

If I can read it, you will be heard. Just don't look unprofessional (sharpie). I may chuckle, the next guy may say "What's This". To me plain business cards are great. All this said, I have only thrown business cards away that I cannot easily read (black font on dark blue card, font so small you need a microscope, etc). I have never chosen a composer because there card was fancy. That is a combination of first impressions and demos.