How to Get a Record Label 1-2-3
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!
Find out:
Key elements to "Star Quality": how to develop
it, create an image and musical style, and put together an amazing demo package (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.
- How to find record company contact information, meet music industry insiders & get your music
played on commercials, movies and TV shows.
How to Get Your Own 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.
See also: How to sell your music without a record label
Recording Business Resources:
Selling Your Music
.
