How to Get on Free DJ Promo Lists: A Complete Guide for DJs
Are you a DJ looking for exclusive pre-release tracks for your DJ set? If you want to get free high-quality music for your DJ sets and radio shows, this blog has the answers. DJ promo lists or simply, 'promo lists' are one of the biggest secrets in the DJ industry.
Ever wondered how your favourite headline DJs and radio presenters beat you to the best music? How do they mix and air the tracks before anyone else? This is because they have access to the tracks before they are released to the public, often months in advance! So, what's the secret, and how do you get onto promo lists?
DJ promo lists are game changers, and there are various ones to approach. Here's a quick summary of what you need to know.
What Are DJ Promo Lists?
DJ promo lists are essentially either an email mailing list or, in some cases, an app where labels and PR companies can distribute pre-release music to a curated list of tastemakers. This means that DJs and radio presenters can access new music before it's available to the general public on sites like Spotify and Beatport.
Labels and PR companies do this so that they can get new music into the inboxes of the most influential DJs, presenters and journalists in the industry. If those taste-makers like the music they will help promote the tracks by including them in their DJ sets or radio shows and journalists might even write about the artist.
Back in the day, record labels and PR companies would send tastemakers vinyl, CDs and cassettes in the post. Nowadays, promo services are mostly digital.
Many promo mailing lists require the person downloading the track to submit feedback, helping the label gather valuable feedback on the music from respected industry professionals.
Are They Free?
Yes, DJ promo lists are generally free, but you might have to spend some time giving feedback about the music. We will focus on the promo services that are 100% free.
The Top Free DJ Promo Services - Inflyte and FATdrop
Our favourite two DJ promo platforms are Inflyte and FATdrop. These apps let DJs log in and browse promos from various record labels. Many big labels and PR companies use Inflyte and FATdrop to facilitate the distribution of the promos saving them the hassle of managing mailing lists. Labels can log in and browse a list of tastemakers and invite those they find most beneficial to receive their promos.
FATdrop can be accessed via their website and Inflyte links intuitively with Rekordbox so users can listen to their promos within the app.
Music PR companies such as Your Army use services like Inflyte to reach the inboxes of tastemakers who will help publicise their client's music and generate hype behind the releases.
Who Are The Tastemakers?
Tastemakers are the influencers of music, they mostly comprise of DJs, radio presenters and music journalists. Record labels decide selectively who they want to share their promos with. They will gate-keep their promos and only give access to tastemakers they see as helping the most. While almost anyone can sign up for Inflyte and FATdrop you won't receive any free DJ promos unless you have an established reputation or attractive credentials.
How Do You Become a Tastemaker?
To become an attractive 'tastemaker' and garner the interest from record labels and music PR companies who are distributing free DJ promos, you need to build a profile. Ultimately, you need to be recognisable, and that means the labels need to have heard your name and respect your career. Record labels want to send promos to DJs who are playing big venues, radio shows, headline shows, and music festivals and that have an international presence.
Once you've built a solid reputation in the industry labels, and PR companies will want to send you free promos so that you can share feedback and potentially play them at your gigs or on your radio shows.
Another type of tastemaker is a music journalist. Perhaps you work for a music magazine such as DJ Mag or Mixmag or host your own music blog. If you're a journalist and could potentially review the release or interview the artist, they will be very interested in working with you.
If you want to become a tastemaker and gain access to DJ promo lists focus on the following:
- Establish and update DJ profiles on Instagram, TikTok, Bluesky, Facebook, Soundcloud etc.
- Create an EPK (Electronic Press Kit)
- Gain recognition in the industry and build a list of DJ gigs, tours, interviews, press articles and other accolades.
- Start an influential blog, podcast or YouTube series.
- Become a radio presenter.
- Attract real followers in the tens of thousands.
Contacting Labels & Artists Directly
Other than using Inflyte or FATdrop you can contact record labels and artists directly. Many labels and artists will send their own promos via an email newsletter. Popular labels that run their own promo lists include: Defected Records, Toolroom Records and Hospital Records.
Remember, when you reach out to labels and artists you should focus on why you are a tastemaker, and how you can help them. Focus on your accolades, like radio shows, upcoming gigs and tours. If you write a blog or have a high number of followers this will also help. Think of this email as a business pitch rather than a beg for freebies.
What If You're Rejected?
Don't worry if you don't manage to get on any promo lists, it's normal for smaller acts to be rejected. If you are rejected this is a sign you should continue to work on your influence in the industry. Think of it as a sign to elevate your game and become more desirable in the eyes of record labels and music PR companies.
It's also worth remembering that new artists who are yet to break are not always on promo mailing lists, the freshest music is underground. Keep your eyes and ears our for new undiscovered music before it blows up! Reach out to artists directly on Soundcloud and social media to get those underground promos before anyone else.
