During every GRAMMY Awards season, artists campaign for support on their submissions from Recording Academy Voting Members — often referred to as “For Your Consideration” (FYC) campaigns. These efforts can help bring eligible releases to voters’ attention, but they also come with important rules and best practices. Artists who employ tactics or promotion information that violates these policies will risk being disqualified from the awards.
In this blog, we’ll break down the key tips to running an effective FYC campaign that follows the Recording Academy guidelines. Whether you’re an emerging artist setting goals or an established professional with a submission underway, here’s everything you need to know.
KEY TAKEAWAYS
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What is a Grammy FYC campaign?
A “For Your Consideration” (FYC) campaign is a specialized form of marketing and advertising artists, record labels, and publicists use to promote their eligible music releases and recordings to Recording Academy Voting Members. While traditional release marketing campaigns target an artists’ fanbase, FYC campaigns specifically target the Recording Academy Voting Members to attain votes.
When do Grammy FYC campaigns start?
FYC campaigns are typically built around two key stages of Grammy voting: first, encouraging votes to get your work nominated, and second, (if nominated), garnering votes for an award.
- Nomination campaigns run from submission until October 22, 2026
- Award campaigns run from November 16, 2026 (when nominations are announced) to January 7, 2027 (the deadline for final round voting)
10 tips to run an effective Grammy FYC Campaign
There is no singular approach to running a Grammy FYC campaign. It’s the responsibility of the artist (and often a hired team) to campaign for nominations and awards. But follow these 10 best practices and further consult the Recording Academy’s rules to run an effective FYC campaign.
1. Make your materials identifiable and actionable
Whether it’s a billboard along a highway or a poster in a cafe, make it easy for voters to understand who you are, what you’re campaigning for, and where they can find your music.
That means any promo material should include:
- Your artist name
- A “For Your Consideration…” tagline specifying the relevant categories for nomination or award
- An identifying visual (your photo and/or cover art)
- A link to your music or website
For longer-form marketing communications (e.g. emails or mailers) you can also include a brief, unembellished description of your submitted recording, a list of the creators who worked on the recording, and a link to the Recording Academy website where Voting and Solicitation Guidelines are posted.
2. Include favorable press quotes
Build credibility and showcase the critical reception of your work by including the best quotes you’ve received from your press coverage.
3. Use compelling and coherent visuals
Ensure your promotional materials are well-designed to grab the viewer’s attention. Then double check that across different assets, you’re pushing a unified image and story. No matter where a Voting Member finds your material, it should feel like you.
4. Reference the GRAMMY Awards with proper registered marks
When referencing the Grammys in your work, use GRAMMY®, GRAMMY Award ®, GRAMMY Awards ®, and GRAMMYs® and do not use the GRAMMY logo itself.
5. Keep it positive
Any communications that cast a negative or derogatory light on a competing recording or singles out the “competition” by name or title are not allowed.
6. Stick to the the facts
Keep your campaign messaging objective and accurate so as not to mislead voters. Do not overstate or exaggerate the merits of the music, an achievement, or any individual associated with your work. Similarly, do not misrepresent honors or awards, past or present, received by either the recording or those involved with production.
7. Leave out the performance data
Do not include entry list numbers, category numbers, or performance data like chart metrics, streaming totals, sales figures, or RIAA Awards in your campaign materials.
9. Be professional
Leave out personal signatures, regards, or personal pleas to listen to the eligible recordings. Respect your audience and their opinions.
10. Focus on the music
Avoid referencing the year or the telecast number (i.e. 2027 or 69th GRAMMY Awards) to keep the focus on the music — not the awards.
Going for a GRAMMY? Start by getting your music out there.
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