Maybe this should be in DeepCurrent?

Anyway.

Should one send off demos to labels in hope of maybe getting released?
And if so...

1. Should the demo be sent to one label at a time and await some kind of reply before sending off to the next.
2. Or is it okay to send off to several and then nicely inform label B that label A has shown interest first?
3. Should artwork be included?
4. Except contact info, what else is needed?

Of course, researching the labels before sending material is given.

Well if you don't send anything you'll never know!

whatever you send to whoever, you'll have to let go of any attachment to anything happening including having any response at all.

Artwise, send your own version and something in label style.

I should add that I also intended to send to "indie" labels as well as "pro CDR" labels.

You should only send demo's to labels that specifically request them.

In my experience though, if you're doing something interesting/of worth, it'll get noticed and a label will approach you.
If you do send a demo it helps if you stand out, and always present it professionally, a half-assed package and a scrawled cover note doesn't give a good impression of somebody worthy of doing business with.
You're not just selling yourself with the music, but with the whole presentation.

Note that for legal reasons larger labels won't even accept or open unsolicited material let alone listen to it.
I can't see the point of sending to a "CR" label (didn't know there was such a thing) A "Pro CDR" label is an oxymoron.

"Pro CDR" labels are really just indie labels who have their CDR's pressed at pressing plants rather than burn the CDR's on their on computer. They almost look like real CD's, but you can tell the difference.

They are quite common when it comes to "bigger" noise labels .

You could always go the self release route. You are in control of your own destiny and agenda then. You may not make a huge amount of money, but does anyone in music anymore?

You can get your music on all the digital stores using a distributors like:

http://www.tunecore.com
http://www.rebeatdigital.com
http://www.cdbaby.com

If you want to produce low runs of cd for any quantity no matter how small and want to reduce the risk of unsold stock check out:

http://www.kunaki.com
http://www.amazon.com/gp/video/ontv/start

Then just promote your music as best you can, send promos to magazines and blogs for review and play lots of live shows if you are a live act.


Steve

The above suggestions by the way are what I did for my self run label and sound design business, http://www.hauntedhouserecords.co.uk

It has been a hard slog over the last 4 years, but it can be done.

Steve

I do run my own label (cdr and mp3, one tape so far), but reach very few people with it (granted, I don't promote as much as I could). But sometimes it's nice to be released on other labels too.

I've quite recently finished a thematic split with two other people and have a huge list of labels I'm gonna go through and send demos to (those who accept them anyway).

To be honest i'd think it wouldnt help much sending any demo's.

I've never sent demo's of my work, let alone releasing it to the mass, like myspace or something.