Recording, Content and Promotion – Feedback report

Success rate

The Recording, Content and Promotion grant program was highly competitive, with a large volume of applications. The success rate was 13%.

How were applications assessed?

Applications were assessed by a group of industry assessors, against the weighted assessment criteria:

• artist experience (40%)
• impact on career (30%)
• viability of the activity (30%)

Assessor Comments:

Assessors commented on the high quality of music presented, noting that the most competitive applications were able to demonstrate the strength of their team and networks to support career sustainability.

General feedback included:

• Take the time to thoroughly review your application before submitting
• Don’t assume assessors will know your work or prior achievements, regardless of how well known the artist or act is
• Be really clear about your intention for the recording project, your creative process and timelines
• Link the recording project back to your career development, and how the recording will open up new opportunities, both artistically and professionally
• Demonstrate your existing fanbase and the work you have done to establish that community
• Demonstrate a clear understanding of how the release and promotion of the release will help reach new audiences, including an outline of the promotional campaign roll out
• Enlisting the help of a professional publicist, social media strategist or independent marketing team can also bolster an application
• Include the full team you are working with, in the recording, promotion and release of the work
• Provide confirmation from each person or business involved in the project. Compile the documents and attach as a single pdf
• Ensure letters of confirmation or support are relevant to the project, program and funding body you are applying to. Compile the documents and attach as a single pdf
• Budgets should be detailed, outlining each income and expenditure item, including cash and in-kind support. Budgets should balance, and the grant request needs to be included as income
• Quotes for key expenditure items should be included and relate back to the costs outlined in the budget
• Ensure links to artistic support material are working and current.

Ahead of any future applications for recording or promotion related grant programs, we encourage you to speak to Sound NSW staff for pre-application advice once the program opens. Be sure to subscribe to the Sound NSW newsletter to keep up to date with funding opportunities, events and announcements.