I have sat here trying to write this article, staring at a blank page and thinking to myself who am I to tell people what makes a good promo packet. Many of you who read this are most likely asking the same question. Let me take a moment to give you a little background about who I am. For the past 3+ years I have worked with The Underground (www.theug.com) in Cincinnati, Ohio helping to direct events devoted to Christian dance (electronic and club). I came to Tastyfresh looking for knowledge, fellowship, and music to help make the nights a success.

I would say that in the 3 years that I have been around Tastyfresh and have been promoting Christian dance music with the Underground, I have received about 20 to 40 promo packets a year and in the last year that number has almost doubled.

Recently the Underground was selected to be in charge of the dance tent at Cornerstone. And the demos that poured in were as many in number as I received last year alone. So between our normal events and Cornerstone 2005 I have seen my fair share of promo packets and I have noticed several trends. Promo packets do land you the gig and here are some pointers to help you in having the best promo packet out there.

10. Pray First, During, and After

It really should go without saying, but prayer is the best tool when putting together a promo package. You are a minister of worship and a tool that God will use to reach the masses. You need to be prepared and prayer is the best way. Also don’t forget to pray for the people who will hear your mix. Pray that the same anointing that will rest on you will rest on them. And pray that above all else, God’s will be done.

9. Your Promo Packet Is A Reflection Of Who You Are.

Like it or not, what you send is a reflection of you. Take time to make it organized and nice. It shows you made an effort and makes life so much easier for the person reviewing it.

8. Include A Bio, Contact Information, and A Description of The Genre You Spin In The Package.

I don't care if the person you are sending it to lives next door to you or you have talked to them before - you have to include information about who you are and how to get a hold of you for booking.

List places you have performed, residencies, events you have thrown - you don't have to tell your life story, but you need to give the reviewer an idea of your experience. Along with your bio include what genres you spin and what genre the demo is that you are sending. Include your basic contact information (dj name, real name, address, phone/cell, email).

A helpful hint is to type all the information up. Some people have great handwriting that is easy to read but the majority of us don't. And maintaining a file is much easier than trying to remember what you wrote out the last time.

7. Index Your Demo And List The Tracks.

Take time to make your demo into tracks on the CD. It helps the reviewers be able to get to track transitions and helps them hear how you put your set together. And yes it does expose your abilities to make transitions but it will aid you in improving your skills as well.

List out the tracks you use in your demo. This will aid the reviewer in several areas. It helps them compare your style against others in the genre. Some Djs are successful at mixing songs from various genres yet still maintaining the flavor of their main genre. You might also spur the reviewer on to a new song or artist.

6. Do Your Homework On What Tracks Are Out There.

Don’t limit your resources to only what you have heard others play or to what your friends produce. There are great tracks out there from all over the world, get out there and discover them.

Too many times the same tracks are played in the same way across people’s demos. If you want to use a Prophetica track then find a new way to use it in. Set yourself apart with not only your track selection but also how you use them.

5. If You Record Your Set And You Feel Like It Was Weak - Record It Again.

Don’t just send off a demo to send off a demo. Take time and record a quality set. I am not saying record a set and the tweak it to death. But I am saying is; if the sound isn’t clear, record it again. If you feel like it is lacking then it probably is, record it again. You will know when you have a mix that you are proud of and that showcases your talents.

Many times the people you are sending your demo to have not heard you live before and will be judging your skills, styles, and performance based off that demo. If it is weak in any area it leaves the reviewer no choice but to base their decision on what they have.

4. Package Your Promo Package To Ensure That It Will Arrive In One Piece.

Package your entire package in a postal safe envelope. CD mailers work great. They provide extra padding and also clue the post office that they shouldn’t bend the package to make it fit in a mailbox.

Make it easy for the post office to read. Clearly print out or make labels with your information on them as well as the information for the place you are sending it to. It always helps to include your real name as well as your DJ name on the return address label.

3. Pay The Extra Money To Have The Package Tracked So You Have Information Should Something Happen.

Let’s face it the post office, FedEx, UPS, and anyone else who ships packages loses packages. Take the precaution of having your package tracked so that if it gets lost you have information on it. Plus it will also help you know if the intended reviewer has received the package, instead of trying to get a hold of them to ask them.

2. Extend Patience To The Reviewer.

Life gets in all of our ways and the reviewer is no different. Many times people who throw or promote shows/parties have full time jobs, families, other shows, or even a venue to run, in addition to a stack of demos to review. Constantly emailing, instant messaging, or calling can not only annoy the review but can slow the process down to a halt. You will know they have received the demo if you have it tracked, trust them to review it.

When a reviewer is going through demos they have a specific show in mind. You may not fit the way that show is coming together, but that doesn’t mean you don’t fit for another show. So be patient. The reviewer wants to provide you the best opportunity that matches your skills and performance inside of the show they are working on.

1. Realize The 'Gene Pool' for Christian Dance Music Is Small and Set Yourself Apart From Everyone Else.

This is my biggest point, the world of Christian dance music is small, and you MUST define who you are in it. Too many times promo packages come in and they sound exactly the same as another DJ who is across the world.

More often than not, the same tracks are used and they are several years old. The tracks are put together and presented the same way, with little to no difference. There is nothing different or interesting about the mix.

If want you to stay in the ‘gene pool’ you have got to be different. Start with your tracks and work them in differently. Then move on to your recording and then to the packaging itself. You are a child of a God who is the most creative person ever; let it rub off on you!

In Conclusion…

I can’t promise you that these tips will land you every gig you send in for, but I can say that it will make you stand out and aid the promoter in review.