HOW TO GET SIGNED TO A RECORD LABEL

HOW TO GET SIGNED TO A RECORD LABEL

You are a great producer and your music is amazing but are you sure it’s heard? Record labels are there to provide financial support to artists and to get profit out of them. They look for acts that have a good following on social media or can attract a fan base. Getting signed to a label is a tough task but not impossible.  Keeping this in mind Lost Stories Academy created a step-by-step guide to help you get signed to your favorite record label.

Develop your music

Choose 1 or 2 labels that you want to get signed. Make sure the catalog of their releases has the genre as you produce. Develop your music by studying the artists you admire that already signed to that label.

How are they different from you and what are they doing that you are not. How they relate to their fans.  Learning and covering their tracks can be really helpful in finding how they are constructing their music and what can you learn from it?

Be professional about your image and music if you want to get the label's attention. They won’t invest in you until you show dedication and professionalism. 

Developing a Following

Start by booking shows in local clubs. At the start, you might have to perform for less money or maybe no money but this is the first step in your artistic career. Make sure the crowd will enjoy the type of music you are playing. This will help you get a steady following.

If you play any instruments then go on streets or parks and perform there. This is the best way to get the attention of the public. Collaborating with other upcoming producers can also help in attracting new listeners. 

Use Social Media for Marketing

In this day and age, social media plays a vital role in the success of an artist. Everyone uses social media and hence, it is the best way to announce your releases or where you playing next. Upload a behind the scene video of your released track.

People love to see what process an artist is gone through while making a song. Be consistent with your content, do not limit your content to music. Upload some videos of you just chilling, how your day went etc.  Engaging with fans on daily basis will keep you in the loop.

People go on to social media mainly for entertainment or knowledge. So it is better if you provide value to your followers by entertainment or knowledge. Go live once a week and have a conversation with your fans and tell them about your music and upcoming projects. 

Labels like to invest in those acts that are already established or have the potential for that. Having a decent following will get you closer to your deal.

A&R

Labels receive lots of demos every day and they have artists and a repertoire working for them. They check your demos and scout talent.  Essentially, every record label is seeking a hit.

It doesn't have to be a mainstream hit, but it should be good and distinctive enough to attract a lot of attention. They want music that will make them and their talents stand out.

Aside from that, there's another factor that's becoming increasingly important: self-sufficiency. It's easier than ever to advertise yourself as an artist independently, thanks to the rise of social media and other online platforms.

When it comes to getting signed, great music is rarely enough. That is simply the truth. For example, Deadmau5's label, Mau5trap, previously claimed that it no longer signs artists who are not completely self-sufficient, regardless of musical quality. The more informed you are the better prepared you will be.

Submit a demo

Only submit completed, unsigned, unreleased original content; this includes any remixes, edits, reworks, works in progress, and anything you've already shared publicly. Avoid using copyrighted content - labels are hesitant to release music that contains copyrighted material unless you have a potential #1 hit on your hands. 

It will take a lot of time and money to clear it. Only the big boys are allowed to clear stuff.  Smaller labels have two options: let it slide and hope they don't get caught, or pass on such recordings entirely. Good labels get a lot of music. It's a pain in the neck to listen to all that music. You must make this procedure as simple as possible.

There's also the possibility that you'll be scrutinized. To have your message heard, you must be specific and persistent. Sending more than three tracks at once in a demo submission is not recommended.  If you have more, make it a point to filter out the best.

This increases the likelihood of the label hearing something they'll enjoy.  The more tracks you have, the more likely it is that they won't hear your greatest work right away, or that going through everything seems like a massive chore.

 If you're submitting an EP or album, start with the greatest tracks to pique people's curiosity. Sending a demo to numerous labels at once is not a good idea. Not when you're taking a tailored approach. Consider what would happen if they both agreed at the same time. That wouldn't be a good idea.

It's not that difficult to be signed. It only takes a few things: good music and presentation, a few friends, a lot of communication, and perseverance. It will happen for you if you can figure out those things.

Good Luck.