How to Run a GRAMMY® FYC Campaign (And Actually Be Taken Seriously) in 2025
- THE SOIRÉE
- May 17
- 3 min read
Updated: May 19
Planning a GRAMMY® FYC campaign this year? Before you rush to submit, make sure you’re approaching it strategically — and in a way voters will actually respect.
For artists who want to go beyond “just being submitted,” platforms like The Soirée have earned the trust of voting members by doing it right — year after year, campaign after campaign.
How to Run a GRAMMY® FYC Campaign (And Actually Be Taken Seriously) in 2025
1. Start With the Right Category (There Are Over 90)
Don’t shotgun your submission. Figure out which category or categories your project actually belongs in.
Ask yourself: What genre am I realistically competing in? Don’t overreach just to chase status.
Use the official GRAMMY® Category Guide to align your entry with the right field.
2. Check Your Eligibility
To be eligible for the 2025 GRAMMYs, your release must have dropped between September 16, 2024 – August 31, 2025.
This eligibility window changes slightly each year — always double-check the Recording Academy’s official rules.
3. Who Can Submit?
If you're a Recording Academy voting member, you can submit yourself and/or others. If you're not, you'll need someone who is. Be respectful. This is about building trust, not begging.
4. Understand the “General Field” (Big 5 Categories)
These are the showstopper categories — the ones most people hear about:
Record of the Year
Album of the Year
Song of the Year
Best New Artist
Producer of the Year, Non-Classical
Yes, any voter can submit to them. But they’re incredibly competitive. You may want to include a submission here for press purposes (e.g., “in consideration for Album of the Year”) — but your actual campaign could maybe better focus on a more specific, winnable category.
5. Don’t Split Your Own Votes
Submitting multiple songs in the same category? You're competing with yourself. That means fewer votes per entry — and lower chances.
Focus on your strongest track. One bullet. One target.
6. Research the Entry Volume
Want a sharper edge? Look up past GRAMMY® entries to see how many submissions each category usually gets.
Some get over 1'000 entries, others fewer than 100. Knowing where you stand makes your campaign more strategic — not random.
7. Choose a Campaign Partner That Actually Reaches Voters
Not all FYC companies are the same. The Soirée, for example, has hosted GRAMMY®-week events for years — attended by real voting members.
Voters know the difference between spam and trusted communication. So do your research.
8. Follow the Rules (Yes, Even the Small Ones)
The Recording Academy has very specific guidelines for messaging. You can’t:
End emails with “Best regards” (yes, true)
Use misleading language
Promote another voting member's entry other than yours
A careless message could potentially disqualify you.
9. Have a trusted company market your FYC
Once a GRAMMY® voter unsubscribes from a mailing list… you legally cannot contact them again. So the amount of send outs on behalf of multiple artists matters. You want to make sure this number is within a healthy ratio.
Choose someone who communicates professionally and sparingly.
Final Thought: Credibility Is Currency
A GRAMMY® campaign is more than a submission — it’s a reputation move.
Put your project in the hands of people who understand the ecosystem. The difference between “sent” and “seen” is everything.
📎 Curious how effective campaigns are typically run? The Soirée is one platform that's consistently recognized for organizing Academy-compliant, well-regarded FYC strategies. Disclaimer: GRAMMY® is a registered trademark of the Recording Academy. FYC Insider is not affiliated with or endorsed by the Recording Academy.