How to Get Signed to a Record Label

How to get signed to a record label Thankfully, in this day and age getting signed to a record label is no longer the only way to go from bedroom musician to internationally touring superstar, but record labels do still play an important role in developing and marketing new artists. But how do you get signed to a record label? How do you know what is a good deal? And what do you do when you are signed to retain your record deal? The key to getting a record label to consider your music is to present yourself in a way that makes it clear to them that you are a good investment, because after all record labels are indeed businesses and so they are likely to perceive you as a ‘product’, and just like in the Dragons Den, they will be the Dragon that makes a decision whether you’re a valuable investment of the record labels time and money or not.

---

We Recommend Check These Out:

The Musician's Guide (book) This 7-chapter guide contains a whole chapter on how to get signed to a record label Purchase now from: £13.99 £10.99

The Advanced Online Music Marketing Video Training Course This online music marketing training course helps explain the alternative route to getting signed - marketing your music as a DIY musician. Price: £49.99 £28.99

---

Record label A&R scouts typically only respond to a small percentage of emails they receive from aspiring artists, here are some tips on contacting and building relationships with record labels.

Do's and Don'ts When Contacting Record Labels

• Don't attach large files to emails, add links to files instead.
• Don't include your whole biography in your contact email, just introduce yourself, explain why you're getting in contact and add a link to your full press pack.
• Don't pester record labels if they don't reply to you - inform them of your updates creatively (Twitter being an ideal platform)
• Don't contact record labels unless you're ready for a record deal.
• Do make your demo stand out with creative packaging, or a thought provoking email subject line
• Do include your contact details on every item you send to a record label (including the CDR!)

• Do research the record label before you send your demo to them to ensure you are not wasting their time
• Don't start your emails or press pack off with 'Dear A&R Scout' or 'Dear Record Label Manager', instead address the contact by their name even if it requires quickly phoning up before hand.

---

What the Record Labels say

Prior to writing this article I asked my Twitter followers:



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.

---

More Articles:
How to Get Gigs
How to Create a Band Strategy
How to Market Music on The Internet
How to Market Music Offline
How to Get a Music Manager
How to Make a Living From Music
How to Find Available Local Musicians