Sunday, May 15, 2011

How To Start Your Own Independent Record Label

This is a topic I see a lot. Anybody with a serious passion for music has found themselves thinking at one point or another, "I should start a label."
99% of the time it never happens (let alone attempted) but it may be easier than you think to start and build your own record label. I'm going to break it down in steps, How To Start Your Own Record Label With $10.

1.) Find your talent: You're going to have to be picky, and it's going to be tough. With no credibility yet, and nothing to guarantee, you're going to have to find very low-level acts with nothing to lose; like a local act with a small (if any) fanbase.
2.) Record Some Music: Again, this is going to be tricky. Normally a band would need to go into a professional recording studio in order to get a good recording. Since you have no money to put into this kind of recording, you're going to have to deal with a less-than-professional recording. A good option may be to record each instrument separately, upload into a free program like Audacity, and piece the tracks together into a song. Some things like guitar, bass, and keyboards can be plugged directly into the computer to avoid picking up other sounds. Other things like drums and microphones will have to record live, so do your best to isolate the noise.
3.) Print Your Albums: Here's where that $10 will come in. What for you ask? The blank CD's. After you have mixed and mastered your music, it's time to burn some CD's! For $10, you can get about 10 CD's from Wal-Mart. When they're all burned and ready, make sure you write info for the band like Name, Album, website or Facebook, etc. You want the people who like the music to come back.
4.) Market And Promote: To keep marketing and promotion free, you're going to need some creativity. Obviously the best thing to do is book the bands/artists lots of shows. A great website that can help you book shows is www.indieonthemove.com You should always have CD's at shows. Also utilize Facebook, Twitter, word of mouth, and any other free online resource to spread the word that the album is out. You can sell digitally online with sites like www.bandcamp.com Selling the music actually classifies as distribution.
5.) Distribution: I already mentioned two methods of getting the music out and sold. Definitely focus on free digital outlets, but don't leave out the physical copies. Go to local stores and try to get a counter display. If you want to sell each CD for $5, tell them they will get $1 off every sale. Send the artists out to sell on the street. All that matters is the music is sold.

So there you go, pretty much. Take the music and sell it. Simple as that. Record labels.

20 comments:

  1. This is a great idea, i might get my friend started in this and make him a blog so we can get followers for this kid. Up and coming rapper making big songs with good music!

    http://www.youtube.com/user/MrJayRMusic

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. yeah that dude can blow. he just needs more of a current sound for the radio. not his lyrics but the beats. they sound good but they're just out of date with what's happening now.

      Delete
  2. It seems so practical and straightforward. I'm guessing what most people are missing is the desire to work hard.

    ReplyDelete
  3. I like it. Fair play. I have a studio as well... tempting.

    ReplyDelete
  4. WEll! I wish I could play music anyway.

    ReplyDelete
  5. some nice ideas to get people who are interested started, have you started your own music labels? good luck!

    I have followed your blog..Could you follow mine too please? Also check out my guest blogging contest to see if you are interested!

    Sky Stock Analysis

    ReplyDelete
  6. heh im gonna start mine right this moment

    ReplyDelete
  7. good shit, indie labels are gonna save music

    ReplyDelete
  8. Seems too easy, but still, you only have $10 to lose.

    ReplyDelete
  9. Ah, the problem is what to do with those CDs.
    It's so hard to find people to take you seriosuly ):

    ReplyDelete
  10. basically easier said than done. harder even if you dont exactly live in the US or other developed countries. although the word of mouth thing does wonders if you do it right.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. lol everything is easier said than done. but in the end you'll only succeed if you follow through, learn from mistakes, and keep taking on adversity.

      Delete
  11. Makes me want to start my own.

    ReplyDelete
  12. This is actually a really good idea...

    I might give it a go...

    ReplyDelete
  13. Wow, man. If I knew my dream was so easily achieved, I would have started a while ago. Followed.

    ReplyDelete
  14. This looks good man, tell me how it goes for you.

    ReplyDelete
  15. dang. i actually thought you were going to talk about the proper mechanics and legalities in starting a label lol. that is what i need and fast. i just started up my website to showcase my music and now i just need to make myself look really polished with my own label imprint.

    how'd i foind your blog? from an old youtube post.
    http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fJKfmDohUdc

    ReplyDelete