I'm writing this post today in hopes that it may rub off some inspiration on you to believe that anything is possible with your music.  As a DJ/producer, one of the best ways to get our music heard is to give it to other DJs for their sets.  It's unbelievable how accessible we all are now thanks to the internet and more specifically, the social network sites where almost everyone has a profile. It may seem like shooting fish in a barrel (or finding a needle in a haystack if you prefer that cliche) to get some of the big names to hear our tracks and respond with feedback, let alone play it to a big crowd.  But I testify to you today that I had a chance to talk to one of my own heroes yesterday and he had some great feedback for me on my album.  Some of my first releases were brought into the world by giving away demo CDs at WMC in Miami.  Other times, I've solicited labels and just got lucky.  You never know until you try.  I suggest you make a list of all the labels, DJs, blogs, etc that you think might have an interest in your music.  In the next column, do some research and find the email address, name, URL and maybe even phone # of the contact who might receive your tunes.  If there is any dialog, make a note of it and continue a correspondance with that person.  They may say "thanks, but we're not interested" to which you should reply "Thanks for listening, I will send you more in the future".  Make sure you stick to that promise, they will now know who you are.

Now, I don't want you to send the third track you ever made to the ten biggest DJs in the world.  Believe me, they get tons of stuff everyday from their own colleagues to go through.  But if there's a song that you just know would fit into a particular DJs crate, then go for it.  Just make sure it is of a professional quality and can hang with some of the other music out there.  Be patient, don't expect an immediate response, but be persistent in sending different final products to the appropriate destinations, and eventually, someone will take notice.  A career is built one song, one performance, one review, and one experience at a time. 

Most importantly, try to connect on personal level.  Spamming on myspace was played out in 2007, so how do you think it appears now?  If you do want DJ so-and-so to hear your tune, then write a sincere and email along the lines of "Hey So-and-so.  I heard you spin 7 times in my hometown.  I've got your first 14 records and all of your mixes.  You've been an inspiration to me and I want you to hear my track."  This will probably get you further than copy/pasting "Yo check out my new single on my myspace page!" to every "friend" in your network.

Also, if you are going to solicit a label, at least know what they put out.  Sending disco house to a psytrance label is a waste of your time and theirs.

Any other success stories out there?