FAQs
If you have a question that isn’t answered here, please contact us.
- How are the nominees and winners determined?
- Is there a ceremony?
- When and how do you announce the nominees & winners?
- What can I win?
- Is this an international program?
- How can I enter?
- What does it cost to enter?
- How can I pay the processing fee?
- Why do I have to pay to enter?
- Can I submit more than one entry?
- How many CDs should I include?
- Which categories should I enter?
- Are cover songs okay to submit?
- What is the Submission Spotlight?
- I was featured in the Artist Spotlight / Submission Spotlight. Does this mean I was nominated?
- I submitted or was asked to submit my music. Does this mean I was nominated?
- OK, I submitted. Will I ever hear from you?
- Do I lose any rights to my songs by submitting?
- Does my song have to be copyrighted?
- Are cover songs okay to submit?
- What is the difference between rating a track and voting for the track?
- How does the rating system work?
- Can I vote in every category?
- Can I vote more than once for my favorite finalist?
- Can I change my rating?
- Do I have to vote in every category at once or can I return at a later time?
How are the nominees and winners determined?
There are two parts to The Independent Music Awards:
- The general voting process determined by our industry and artist judging panel
- The Vox Populi “voice of the people” process where fans and visitors determine the winners by rating the nominees at The Vox Populi Jukebox
A winner is selected through each of these processes. One artist is eligible to win both awards.
Is there a ceremony?
Not at this time.
When and how do you announce the nominees & winners?
The nominees are announced in early winter and the winners are announced soon after. The results of the Vox Populi are announced in the spring. Nominees and winners are all notified via email as well as announced on our website & in The IMA Buzz Newsletter. You can sign up to receive our updates on our homepage under ENEWS & UPDATES. You can also stay in touch with us via any one of our social networking profiles (linked icons found at the top of our website).
What can I win?
Unlike contests or battle of the band programs that focus on cash & prizes, The IMAs deliver yearlong marketing & sales support plus performance & licensing opportunities that place winners & nominees in front of 1 billion music fans.
The program creates opportunities and fan bases for artists & releases traditionally ignored by mainstream gatekeepers, mass media & big box retailers.
We are always working on new promotional and revenue-generating opportunities to further the careers of IMA entrants, nominees and winners. Check out the Program Benefits for a list of current program initiatives.
And to make your music business easier, all IMA entrants automatically get a free, one-year subscription to The Musician’s AtlasOnline (a $139.95 value!) so you can easily connect with thousands of bookers, programmers, press, record labels, music supervisors, etc., create promotional campaigns, tour itineraries and more.
Is this an international program?
Yes! We proudly accept submissions from all over the globe. Here’s a map that plots some of our entrants: 
How can I enter?
Our own online submission platform: www.independentmusicawards.com/IMAEntry
Mail: www.independentmusicawards.com/enter.pdf
Online, via Sonicbids: www.sonicbids.com/ima2010
Be sure to visit the Eligibility & Submission Guidelines Page to make sure your material is eligible and you correctly submit it.
What does it cost to enter?
A nominal processing fee is required for each entry form.
1-2 Songs in the same category = $30
1 Full Album = $30
1 EP = $30
Submit 3 or 4 entries and you receive a 10% discount.
Submit 5 or more entries and you receive a 20% discount. (5 entries is like getting 1 for free; 10 entries is like getting 2 for free!)
How can I pay the processing fee?
You may pay by credit card, check or money order. International entries must be paid by credit card or international money order payable in U.S. funds. Multiple entries may be paid for using one check or money order.
Why do I have to pay to enter?
The processing fee helps to offset the cost of organizing, opening, sorting, listening, debating, rating, tracking down & communicating with judges in far-flung places around the globe, tallying & posting results. The nominal fee covers all of the ongoing marketing support for nominees and winners – 12 week-radio promotion campaign to 650 US & Canadian college, public and commercial radio, inclusion on 5,000 CDs & on 20,000 digital download cards distributed to industry & fans, featured placement on eMusic & 20,000 Musicati/AMI jukeboxes, press releases, showcases, etc. Check out all the Program Benefits covered by submission fees.
Can I submit more than one entry?
Of course! Check out the Submission Guidelines for the details.
Submit 3 or 4 entries and you receive a 10% discount.
Submit 5 or more entries and you receive a 20% discount. (5 entries is like getting 1 for free; 10 entries is like getting 2 for free!)
How many CDs should I include?
Include one CD per entry. When submitting multiple entries, you may put all the CDs into one package, but remember to include separate entry forms for each entry.
Which categories should I enter?
With 70 Song, Album, Video & Design categories, there’s a lot to choose from. Check them out here. We know it’s not always easy to categorize your work, so we’ll contact you if the judges think your submission has a better shot in a different category – so be sure to keep us posted if your contact info changes.
Must all music submissions be original compositions?
There is a Cover Song category, however submissions to all other music categories must be original material. You do not need permission from the publisher to enter cover songs.
What is the Submission Spotlight?
Artists who submit to The IMAs may be featured on The IMA homepage, social media sites and in direct mail blasts to thousands of industry and fans. Please don’t send unsolicited requests for Spotlights.
I was featured in the Artist Spotlight / Submission Spotlight. Does this mean I was nominated?
Uh, no. Nominations are only determined after submissions are closed and ALL entries are reviewed by several judges. 5 Nominees are named in each category and will be announced in late fall. The winners will be announced in January.
I submitted or was asked to submit my music. Does this mean I was nominated?
No. Five nominees per category are announced in late fall from the entire pool of submissions. One winner per category will be chosen in January. Nominees and winners are all notified via email as well as announced on our website & in The IMA Buzz Newsletter. You can sign up to receive our updates on our homepage under ENEWS & UPDATES. You can also stay in touch with us via any one of our social networking profiles (linked icons found at the top of our website).
OK, I submitted. Will I ever hear from you?
Of course! You’ll be hearing from us a lot throughout the year. We’ll email you directly throughout the year to keep you posted about important IMA dates, news and opportunities, so please be sure to inform us when your contact info changes. And news about The IMAs will be posted on our website, social media pages, newsletters, press releases, blog posts, etc.
Do I lose any rights to my songs by submitting?
No. You maintain all rights to your songs when you submit. Nominees & winners may have the option for further licensing opportunities.
Does my song have to be copyrighted?
We recommend having your material copyrighted in order to protect your work.
Are cover songs okay to submit?
Yes, there is a Cover Song category! You don’t need permission from the publisher to enter your cover songs.
What is the difference between rating a track and voting for the track?
Rating the track is the same as “voting” for the track.
How does the rating system work?
You can give tracks a rating between 1 and 5. The higher the number you rate a track, the higher the ranking the track receives and the better the track will do in the final calculations.
Can I vote in every category?
Yes! We encourage you to listen and discover new artists. On the left-side of the page, you’ll see in white type categories for: ALBUM FINALISTS, DESIGN FINALISTS, SONG FINALISTS & VIDEO FINALISTS. Once you are registered and logged in, you are able to vote/rate artists in every category.
Can I vote more than once for my favorite finalist?
The system is programmed so that fans can only vote/rate tracks one time (no ballot box stuffing!).
Can I change my rating?
Once you submit your rating you will not be able to change it.
Do I have to vote in every category at once or can I return at a later time?
You may return to the IMA Jukebox at a later time to vote/rate tracks. Simply login and the Star Rating system will appear.