Yes, it’s true. We’ve made a change to the contest for June. Here’s a quick FAQ to help you get oriented with the changes.

What is the rule change?
Starting in June, only entries that performed above average in May for their channel contests will remain entered in those contests for June. The same goes for June entries and so on and so forth.

Why are we making this change?
The OurStage channel contests are more popular than ever and we want to ensure the best music and video discovery experience possible. Having a lot of material in the contest that isn’t resonating with the fans doesn’t benefit the artist or the fan. If your art doesn’t rank high enough with the fans, we suggest you take it as constructive feedback and consider changes that will get you a higher ranking.

What does above average mean?
Above average may vary depending on the channel. Don’t get too caught up in the exact number or percentages. But certainly if you’re in the top 50% in your channel, that’s above average. In some cases we may bring over more than 50% of the entrees in a channel, but that isn’t a hard and fast rule.

What happens to my entry if it doesn’t perform above average?
Your entry will automatically be withdrawn from the June contest and you’ll receive an email alerting you to this fact.

What if I disagree and think my art just needs more time to catch on?
If your art doesn’t perform well in any given month, but you want to give it another shot, you’re welcome to upload it for competition and try again. At least we know that you’re serious about your art. We always support that kind of dedication.

How will I know if my entry is withdrawn?
If we withdraw anything of yours, we’ll email you at the address you gave when you registered. Then you can decide whether to try the song again for the current competition, try something new, or come back strong with a modified or brand new entry next month.

Can something still be entered for the first time in June?
Yes. New songs can be uploaded for competition on OurStage at any time. Your song doesn’t need to have competed before to be eligible for June contests. Just keep in mind that the song needs to perform above average in June to be automatically entered into July’s contest.

Are there other changes to the monthly Grand Prize contest?
We are considering other contest changes, but there’s nothing to announce just yet.

What would help my music/video rank higher?
Make the best quality art you can make. Quality of recording and production is extremely important. Quality of content also matters—Write a great song or tell a compelling story to stand out from the rest. Avoid long intros— there is no way to set the start point for your song or video at this time so hook your audience right away.

Like the changes? Still have questions? Leave me a comment. And as always, I’ll see you in the spotlight