Home Business Center: How to start a home business

How to Start a Record Label 1-2-3


T I P : Platinum Millennium offers a step-by-step formula for succeeding in the record label industry. Everything from contracts, how to get an easy record deal, how to market your music on MySpace, how to sell your music online and more. (See also: How to sell your music without a record label).

How to Get a Record Label How to Become a Recording Artist

As Seen in Oprah Magazine Sell Your Own Music & Land a Record Deal!

Getting a record deal as a recording artist can be a very rewarding career - not to mention exciting and fun. However, even if you are a great musician with awesome music, landing a record deal is an entirely different challenge.

Many people ask about how to copyright their songs. You copyright work with the US Copyright Office, and they provide application forms you can download from their site. As of 2010, the cost to register a copyright runs between $35 and $50, depending on how you register it (online for by mail). If you want assistance, but don't want to pay for a lawyer, LegalZoom can assist you with registering copyrights.

Some stage names, band names and record label names can be protected under trademark law, and you can contact the US Patent and Trademark Office for more information: 800-786-9199.

If you want to know the tricks of the recording artist trade, ask Kathy Baylor, who has worked in the music business for over 12 years. She's worked with Motown Records, Sony Music, Universal Records and others well-known music companies. She has been responsible for finding new musical talent - so she knows exactly what you want to know!

See what you get >>

  • Key elements to "Star Quality", how to develop it, create your image and musical style, and put together an amazing demo package with the important elements and without spending a lot of money
  • How to promote your music on your own, including recording at home, marketing online and multiple low-cost resources to help you get the word out fast
  • Where to find record company contact information, how to meet music industry insiders and get your music played on commercials, movies and TV shows
  • Get it Risk-Free >> How to Get Your Own Record Label

"I'm Amazed - Starting Your Own Record Label has Never Been Easier."

Who Can Start an Independent Label?

courtesy of Ty Cohen

Are you a struggling artist who just wants their music to be heard or are you someone who is frustrated with the major labels and everything that comes along with them? It doesn't matter who you are or what you have accomplished, anyone who has the desire can learn how to start an independent record label. Over the next few minutes, we are going to explore why starting an Indie label is such a great idea.

Let's say you are that struggling artist who can't seem to catch a break. You want your music recorded and released to the public but can't seem to get signed. Well, now-a-days, this isn't a problem. Even if you thought you didn't know how to start a record label before, you are about to learn just how easy it is

Get in the studio, record your album and start selling. Is it really that easy? Well, yes and no. Yes, that is what you do and once you have accomplished the first step then you are well on your way.

Some people say they want to know how to start and run your own record label but they are worried because they aren't artists themselves. That is absolutely ok. Maybe you are just a fan or just a lover of music, not a performer. This may be a plus for you. Although not always true but sometimes the creative artsy types have a harder time running the business side of a label. Maybe you should team up and have the best of worlds, a lover of and a performer of music.

Independent labels offer freedom for artists and owners. They also are known to have a bigger return on investment because there are less people to split profits with. You will retain complete creative control and all the rights to your music. If you have been searching for how to start an independent record label, then look no further. The future is in the palm of your hands. It is relatively inexpensive in the beginning and when profits are generated then you will expand.

The time is now because the music market is expanding and the door is wide open for independent labels. It is better than ever so you need to act. Find a mentor that can help you learn how to start a record label if you need to. But you need to get in while the getting is good.

About the Author: Ty Cohen, the online music industry's most recognizable voice is the former owner of a successful independent record label, current owner of Platinum Millennium publishing and nation-wide music industry seminar speaker and panelist. He is also the author and creator of over 40 best-selling music business books, reports, courses, audio products and other music industry "How to" resources, that have helped tens of thousands of individuals like you to successfully find their way in the music business. Click here for more information on how to start a record label.


The Timeline of Your Own Record Label

courtesy of Ty Cohen

If you are trying to learn how to start and run your own record label then you have come to the right place. Positioning your record label, along with producing and selling your first records will take time. But how quickly things progress along will depend on how much time and dough you are able to put into the label itself. It also depends on what genre and format of music you are releasing.

If you have no experience in knowing how to start a record label, it might be worth gaining some work experience at a label, getting some advice from a trusted label owner you know, or attending some training or workshops. There are also a number of music industry books and websites you can check for advice on how to start an independent record label. Don't ever be afraid of getting help from people who have succeeded themselves.

An alternative way when figuring out how to start a record label may be to start small. Do this by licensing a recording to a compilation or to another label, or by releasing a small run of singles. Sometimes selling recordings at gigs or through your website, and aiding the band in booking gigs is a great place to start. Also, building a fan base is a good way to build up music industry contacts, a market for your recordings, and some powerful experience.

Managing and promoting artists is a standard way of getting into the how to start an independent record label side of the biz. Once you are confident that you can handle a release, a typical lead in time for promoting an album release could be around ten to fifteen weeks on average. This allows time to pick up coverage from monthly magazines, radio, and reviewers.

You will need to have absolutely everything in place. Organize the contacts with the press and your distribution deal before starting your promotions. It is imperative to build momentum and break into the marketplace at the peak of the public's recognition of your merchandise.

Both the media and business partners involved will want to hear "the plan" - the story about the artists, and what makes them and their music so special. But this doesn't have to be as much work as it seems. Stay organized, have a plan of attack so that you can ensure your artists, your label and your name will succeed. See, planning how to start and run your own record label is not as difficult as you thought.

About the Author: Ty Cohen, the online music industry's most recognizable voice is the former owner of a successful independent record label, current owner of Platinum Millennium publishing and nation-wide music industry seminar speaker and panelist. He is also the author and creator of over 40 best-selling music business books, reports, courses, audio products and other music industry "How to" resources, that have helped tens of thousands of individuals like you to successfully find their way in the music business. Click here for more information on how to start an independent record label.

Recording Business Resources:

Selling Your Music

How to Save Hundreds of Hours on Legal Forms, Spreadsheets & Documents

Home Business ExpertStart with a business plan template so you can launch your start-up in the right direction. You want a plan for a music business, not a generic business plan. With the Music Business Plan, you not only get a plan specifically for the career that interests you - but you also get more than 100 forms and templates to help you start and manage your company much more easily.

Also included free is one year of web hosting, which you can use to attract more customers online and save on advertising costs.


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