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Who Else Wants to Learn how to Start a World Wide, Profit
Pulling Record Label?
by Ty Cohen
Published on this site: April 18th, 2006 - See
more articles from this month
Virtually every recording artist, started out on a small independent
label. They recorded their own music, started their own publishing
companies, produced their own masters, did their own promotions
until they landed their first major label recording contract. Just to mention a few artists who started
their careers on an independent label, Elvis Presley, the
Rolling Stones, Neil Diamond, The Beatles and many more. So,
as history continues to show us, you can start your own Indie
record label, for a small amount of money, which ran properly
can produce monumental, lucrative results. However, it is important to
keep in mind that starting your own Indie record label can
be one of two things: a smooth running, economical and very
successful venture or a money sucking, complicated ordeal.
The choice is yours. Personally, I would choose the former.
I am going to map out some strategies on how to succeed in the Indie record
label industry. Specifically, in the areas of promotion, publicity
and the industry as a career choice.
You never should equate a record deal to success, because
it is only a step that helps large recording organizations
filter out new artists in the music business. Big recording
companies spend millions of dollars on a few dozen new artists,
in the hopes that one of them will become a hit with the mainstream.
They do not care which band makes it, merely that one or two do. If you
are selected as one of the dozen and do not make the final
cut. Then you will be branded in the industry as "old
news" by the recording industry, making it impossible
to recover and to be picked up by another label. The odds
are not worth it.
Instead of taking such a high risk, bet on a sure thing. Release
your music on your own CD on your own label. You will be establishing
yourself as someone who is serious in the music industry,
by demonstrating that you will do whatever it takes to get
your music out to the public. Not to mention, that selling
your own, self-financed CD can actually get you a better record
deal if your independent release is somewhat successful. If
you can prove that you have a fan base, which have purchased
your self-made albums, then you take away some risk for the
record company and give yourself some leverage during negotiations.
Having a strong fan base will also make it easier for record
labels to market your music to. Better yet, if you bar-coded
your CD and managed to get it into record stores, the record
companies may seek you out. Now about that CD...
For starters, don't settle for the cheapest CD or package
you can find. Presentation is everything in this business.
The appearance of your disc and the graphics will make an
impression on your buyers, who will be comparing your release
against major record labels. If you personally don't know
of anyone with CD duplicators, then speak with any of the
hundreds of musicians on via the internet who have or can
steer you in the right direction. While you're at it, ask
them where they had their album graphics done. High quality
album presentation may mean the difference between being picked
up by the DJ or going into the DJ's trash. Once, you have your CD and album designed, it
is time to market it. Do not blindly send out your CD to record labels and distributors
in the hopes of getting signed. More than 90% of all CD's
will go unopened and end up in the garbage. That is why contact
must be made and approval received in advance for the record
label to accept your submission. If you do not somehow find
contacts and decide to just blindly send your CDs out, you
will only be throwing your money away; therefore, if that
is the case why bother with spending money on the packaging.
In order to find contacts, either find them yourself or find
someone who knows someone who knows someone, you get the point.
Another way is to e-mail various stations, briefly tell them about yourself
and your record and ask if they would like you to send them
a copy of your CD. If they respond, then you made contact.
This also means that your CD will have a better chance of
being heard.
Next, create an excellent website to promote your music. Develop
a website that will require participation of the viewers.
That is what will keep people coming back to your site. Share
your insights with your sites viewers. Give your site a sense
of value and originality. Take a look at the resource available
from http://www.SellMusicOnlineLikeCrazy.com
for more info on selling your music online.
Finally, do not make the mistake of thinking you know everything
about the industry. What works for some may not work for others.
Therefore, do not assume there is one way to do something.
Think about the number of who succeed and accomplish what
they desire compared to those who are still trying to succeed.
Accept no one's advice as an absolute, rather as another idea.
Ultimately, you will be making the decision, so it would behoove
you to gather as many ideas and input as possible. You may
need to try several ways first, before you find the way that
fits. Keep trying. You can start and have a successful Indie
record label company.
Have fun and good listening!
Ty Cohen is the acclaimed author of over a dozen best-selling
music industry "How to" books and courses. Grab
a copy of Ty Cohen's latest book title by visiting http://www.MusicBooksByTy.com
and to learn more about starting or turning your existing
record label into a world wide, profit pulling record label
visit: http://www.TheUltimateRecordLabel.com/landing_page.htm
Start a Record Label Today!
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