Home > How to Get Signed to a Record Label

How to Get Signed to a Record Label

by learning to think like a record label

Thanks for checking out the Get Signed Toolkit project. If we haven't met before, my name's Marcus Taylor and I run TheMusiciansGuide.co.uk, a website that helps over 300,000 musicians succeed in the music business each year. Prior to launching this project full-time I managed an independent record label, and before that I was a signed musician writing music for five different record labels.

Me with Derek Sivers (founder of CD Baby) in Singapore

Everyone always asks, "How did you get signed to so many record labels?" Well I'll tell you.

My (not-so-secret) secret to getting signed is understanding how record label's think. Record labels are businesses and artists are their investments. The artist's who get signed are the ones who are seemingly great investments for the label. Re-read that last sentence again, and really think about the word 'seemingly' - that's the important part.

I got signed because I seemed like a good investment to the five labels that took a risk with me. My music wasn't outstanding, nor did I have a huge following at the time, but what got the label's attention was how I unconventionally added value to the label.

Optional 5-minute Video

Enough About Me, How Does This Help You?

You may not aspire to get signed to a bunch of labels like I did, but chances are if you're still reading this you'd appreciate learning how you can apply what I've learnt to get your music in front of record labels.

To get signed to a record label, you really only need to thoroughly understand two important processes - the preparation, and the approach. The preparation is the process of making your band seem like a great investment to a record label. Record label A&R people think differently to artists, and so it really pays to put yourself in the shoes of a record label A&R scout to work out how you should present your band as a potential investment to a record label. Don't worry - I'm going to share with you every tip I know on preparing for this.

Secondly, and arguably most importantly, you must perfect your approach. This is where 99% of bands go terribly wrong - they think that blindly sending demos to A&R people will get them a deal. Newsflash - It won't, not in 2012. There are a lot of tricks I learnt whilst running my label on what the best ways to get in contact with a label are, and I've listed some of the best in the Get Signed Toolkit for you.

So, what is this Get Signed Toolkit? Without further ado, here it is.

The Get Signed Toolkit - Everything You Need to Know to Successfully Present and Approach Record Labels With Your Music

This is my latest guide, including all of the best information on getting signed from my book 'The Musicians Guide to World Domination', as well as a 22-step checklist to getting signed, which I guarantee contains all of my very best tips, a list of over 150 record label contacts, and several template record contracts (just to give you an idea of what to expect when you start to receive record deal offers).

The Get Signed Toolkit includes every tip, secret, and piece of advice about getting signed that I learnt from my experiences, as well as many great tips from other label managers, a list of 150 record label contacts, a pack of professional record contracts (including a mixture of pro-artist, pro-label, and 360-deals) to help you understand the different types of record deals, and much more.

A few things covered in the toolkit:

	A comprehensive 22-step checklist to getting your band signed. If you can tick every one of these points, you’ll be ready to start approaching labels.
	A list of over 150 record labels including contact information to help save you time approaching record labels.
	1x professional pro-label record contract (worth £13.79)
	1x professional pro-artist record contract (worth £13.79)
	2x professional 360 record contracts (worth £13.79)
	An 8-page guide to creating the perfect press pack and understanding how to approach record labels

80% off (RRP: £24.99)

Price: £4.99

My Guarantee to You

First of all, I guarantee that you will not regret buying The Get Signed Toolkit - I've made sure that everything included is of a very high standard, but if for some reason you don't love it, you get your money back - simple as that.

I wish I could offer a guarantee like "this will guarantee you to get signed to a major label within one year" but I realise that it wouldn't be 100% true - admittedly, getting signed does have a lot to do with your own motivation and talent, but what I do guarantee is that if you do take all of my knowledge in this product on board, then you will be far better off for it and significantly more likely to receive a record deal.

Just read the Get Signed Toolkit and found it so useful. Thank you so much! - Alice Kane, R'n'B singer

Questions & Answers

Is the Get Signed Toolkit specifically focused towards certain genres?
No. I myself have a very eclectic background (I was signed as a electro-dance producer, managed an R'n'B / urban record label, and played drums in a metal band) so I've ensured that the information is relevant to artists from all genres.

What do we do if The Get Signed Toolkit's not right for us?
Just email me (Marcus@themusiciansguide.co.uk) and I'll issue a refund.

Our band is only just starting out, will this help us?
This Toolkit is aimed towards professional musicians who are serious about becoming full-time recording artists. Regardless of where you are in your music career, this toolkit will help to change your perspectives on how record labels work, but it's really aimed towards professional artists.

Will this help us get signed to a major record label or just indies?
That all depends on the quality of your music, motivation, and your personal preference towards what type of deal is most in line with your current situation. The Get Signed Toolkit offers a lot of advice on how to present your music to record labels regardless of their size or type, whether you choose to apply the information to approaching indies or a major label is up to you.

Extra! I Decided to Ask Several Friends Who Run Record Labels to Share Some Thoughts on Getting Signed.

Thanks to Michele from Crash Records, Matt from Pinkpenny Records and Steve from Havavision Records who kindly agreed to answer some of your questions on how to contact record labels.

How do you prefer to be contacted by a musician trying to submit their music for consideration?

Email in the first instance with a link to their myspace is the easiest, I can very quickly see a video, hear the music and see how active they are. I don't like attachments, and wont open them, unless I know the band or artist.	I prefer the good old physical demo. The more information the better, if it has no info, or is just written on a CDR then it probably won’t even get listened to.	Sending an email with an introduction and links to hear the music is usually the best and most polite way, not jamming up labels inboxes with mp3's.

How important would you say it is for musicians to create a relationship with you prior to submitting a demo? What do you look for when signing an artist?

Creating a good relationship with us is good, but the artist has to be very active and self promoting, otherwise I wouldnt really be interested.	We're more likely to sign artists who have an established track record, regular radio play or DJ support.	I need to like their music, like them, like their work ethics and see that they are serious and professional, if they have a following, an album and gigging regularly, that is a bonus.

Roughly how many demos do you receive a week and how do you choose which ones to reply to?

About 20-30 emails and 6 physical press packs a week, if a band is good at marketing, they will keep me informed on what they are up to, not pestering, but just being kept updated.	Up to 200 a week, its impossible to reply to everyone, not enough time in the day.	I'd say I get 4- 6 artists writing a month, I try to answer all but I don't always get round to it, as there are only so many hours in a day.

Alternatives to signing a record deal

These days the technology exists to build success as a musician without a large advance or the support from a record label. The Internet and the emergence of social media has levelled the playing field enormously in the music industry and many musicians are taking advantage of that by building their fan base and magnetising their music careers themselves. In The Musician's Guide to World Domination there are a range of tips on how to develop a career in the music industry by yourself without the help of a record label, as well as advice on how to know whether a DIY approach or a record label approach is best for you.