How To Start an Independent Record Label

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Uploaded by on Feb 17, 2010

Expand the description and view the text of the steps for this how-to video.

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Starting an independent record label, like starting any other business, requires a well-conceived plan with clear goals.

To complete this How-To you will need:

A business plan
Money
A name
A band or artist
A recording studio

Step 1: Write a business plan

Write a business plan to demonstrate to potential investors that you know what is involved in running a label.

Step 2: Raise capital

Put together a budget, and raise the capital necessary to form and run the business. Funds can come from personal savings, loans from family or friends, bank loans, or investors.

Step 3: Choose a name

Choose a name for the label.

Tip: Check with local, state, and federal laws to ensure the business is properly registered.

Step 4: Contract a band

Contract an artist or band that makes great music and record their album.

Tip: Pick a band that is willing to tour. A record label suffers if the band does not tour.

Step 5: Contact the press

Submit the band's record to the press four months before the release date. This increases the chances of getting a review around the release date.

Step 6: Send press to distributors

Send any press about your label or its bands to music distributors.

Step 7: Make the album available

Have the album available in stores and online so the fans who didn't buy one at the concert can get an album with little hassle afterwards.

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Top Comments

  • How to find the unsubiscribe button!

  • The guy reminds me of vindiesel.

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All Comments (50)

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  • WE know all of them too .

  • Fuck me, this is terribly generic

  • If I am to run a record label myself, do I need to make my own CDs? How do I print out the labels for the CDs?

  • skip step 3!

  • @gustavohuink  lmfbo !!!

  • Single answer, you fix black culture by FORCING a culture of empowerment on the race and purging any trains of thought and belief that deviate from that culture of empowerment. Any creed or set of beliefs that do not expicitly advocate that the black race empower itself to produce the most dominant civilization in all existence.That is how the culture will be changed, through power, force and sheer will, no negotiation or compromising.

  • @gustavohuink lmao

  • @DarkKingGuy really?

  • I actually just wrote a blog post that outlines all the steps to starting your own independent record label on the cheap. If you wanna read it, check out theindustryismine dot blogspot dot com

  • sign me

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