by Jnmarseille13 (November 8th, 2024)
by Jnmarseille13 (November 8th, 2024)
Record labels have always been and still are the key elements that make the music industry alive. Back in the days, their missions were very clear : finding artists, developing them, and selling records. This was a tough process that took a lot of time and resources. However, nowadays, the landscape has completely changed, making it possible for many of us to actually start our own record labels even with limited resources. And in this article, we’re going to see how you start your own record label.
So what is a record label? It’s simply a company or organization that takes care of producing records by signing artists, then distributing them in stores. In order for the records to be successful, the label will have to invest in promotion and marketing. Typically, a record label will sign artists it believes in, and invest money on them until they reach a certain goal.
Things are a bit different nowadays, because people don’t buy records like they used to, due to streaming. So record labels will try to invest differently and not sign artists the same way they did during the golden eras of the industry. But at the end of the day, their mission remains unchanged: producing and distributing music!
So, if you want to start your own record label, you will have to ask yourself what identity you will choose. That means : what genres will my label release? What niche of listeners am I targeting? What kind of people do I think will identify with our aesthetic?
Once you’ve found your artistic identity, you will have a clear understanding of which artists to go for, what audience to reach etc…
You may just want to start by creating a YouTube channel and releasing the music on SoundCloud, Spotify and other platforms, which is great. But at some point, your project will have to be put in front of greater opportunity, and this is when you will have to think of creating a legal structure for your label.
Being an officially registered company or organization will open you many doors : legal protection, credibility, being able to sign things. It’s very important that you think about this soon enough. You can try to do research and ask a lawyer what type of entity would be the best for you.
Then you will need artists to sign. Nowadays, you have so many different options for what type of contracts to propose to them. Whatever it is, you must be clear about what you’re able to do for them, and you must show you’re going to respect the contracts.
Then comes the part where you have to sell. Back then, distribution was physical only (CDs, Vinyls). Nowadays, the main market is through streaming platforms, but physical sales still exist. But the process is the same. Unless you’re only releasing to YouTube and SoundCloud, you will need a middleman called “distributor” in order to get the music on these stores.
Once the songs are out, your role will be to promote them and your artists, so that the song and the artist get the exposure they need. This will lead them to build a fanbase, which will become a real source of income for your record label.
So, you will have to work on marketing strategies, and build yourself a network of people you can work with when you need to push some music.
Music generates money through streams and disc sales, and you will have to pay your artists with one part of the income, and reinvest the rest into your record label in order to keep it up and running. There are also other ways to generate income, such as sync and other methods.
We’ve covered everything you have to know. I would add that the most important thing when you want to start a record label is to be passionate. This is an industry where the money doesn’t come quickly. You will need to love what you’re doing, and patience. Ready to start your label?
Record labels have always been and still are the key elements that make the music industry alive. Back in the days, their missions were very clear : finding artists, developing them, and selling records. This was a tough process that took a lot of time and resources. However, nowadays, the landscape has completely changed, making it possible for many of us to actually start our own record labels even with limited resources. And in this article, we’re going to see how you start your own record label.
So what is a record label? It’s simply a company or organization that takes care of producing records by signing artists, then distributing them in stores. In order for the records to be successful, the label will have to invest in promotion and marketing. Typically, a record label will sign artists it believes in, and invest money on them until they reach a certain goal.
Things are a bit different nowadays, because people don’t buy records like they used to, due to streaming. So record labels will try to invest differently and not sign artists the same way they did during the golden eras of the industry. But at the end of the day, their mission remains unchanged: producing and distributing music!
So, if you want to start your own record label, you will have to ask yourself what identity you will choose. That means : what genres will my label release? What niche of listeners am I targeting? What kind of people do I think will identify with our aesthetic?
Once you’ve found your artistic identity, you will have a clear understanding of which artists to go for, what audience to reach etc…
You may just want to start by creating a YouTube channel and releasing the music on SoundCloud, Spotify and other platforms, which is great. But at some point, your project will have to be put in front of greater opportunity, and this is when you will have to think of creating a legal structure for your label.
Being an officially registered company or organization will open you many doors : legal protection, credibility, being able to sign things. It’s very important that you think about this soon enough. You can try to do research and ask a lawyer what type of entity would be the best for you.
Then you will need artists to sign. Nowadays, you have so many different options for what type of contracts to propose to them. Whatever it is, you must be clear about what you’re able to do for them, and you must show you’re going to respect the contracts.
Then comes the part where you have to sell. Back then, distribution was physical only (CDs, Vinyls). Nowadays, the main market is through streaming platforms, but physical sales still exist. But the process is the same. Unless you’re only releasing to YouTube and SoundCloud, you will need a middleman called “distributor” in order to get the music on these stores.
Once the songs are out, your role will be to promote them and your artists, so that the song and the artist get the exposure they need. This will lead them to build a fanbase, which will become a real source of income for your record label.
So, you will have to work on marketing strategies, and build yourself a network of people you can work with when you need to push some music.
Music generates money through streams and disc sales, and you will have to pay your artists with one part of the income, and reinvest the rest into your record label in order to keep it up and running. There are also other ways to generate income, such as sync and other methods.
We’ve covered everything you have to know. I would add that the most important thing when you want to start a record label is to be passionate. This is an industry where the money doesn’t come quickly. You will need to love what you’re doing, and patience. Ready to start your label?