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How to Start Your Own Indie Record Label In Just a Few Simple Steps!
Copyright (c) 2006-2022 Ty Cohen
Since it is so difficult to get a contract with a big label and the competition for jobs at the big labels is brutal, you may be better off starting your own record label. However, before you even begin your career in the music business, you need to answer several questions.
It doesn't matter if you are starting a band, are wanting to start your own label or even just setting up a recording studio.
Define Your Business Goals
You need to sit down and write a formal business plan. I know that sounds like total dullsville, but, believe me, you need to do it. Without careful planning you will only be wasting both your time and money. While the music business is glamorous, it is also a cut-throat business and the more experienced players will eat you alive and leave you bankrupt if you don't take the time to properly set up and plan your business.
You need to determine what resources you already have and what resources you are going to need to get the business off the ground. List items such as: the people involved, equipment owned, experience in music, experience in business, available working capitol, a place to work from (it can be your basement or garage, but you will need somewhere to work.), business contacts, music gigs, available working capitol, etc.
No matter how musically talented you are, you cannot start your own record label without working capital and some basic business knowledge. If you don't have it, find a partner who does if you want to be successful, or take a look at the financing guide available along with the How to Start a Record Label course over at www.TheUltimateRecordLabel.com
Products and Services
What are you going to produce and sell? Please don't answer music. You need a more concrete plan then that to be successful. Will you be making CDs of your live performances? Or will you be writing and recording your own original compositions?
In either case, be specific. You will need enough material to record an entire CD before you can sell it. Don't forget that if you don't own the copyright to the lyrics and music, you will need to get permission to use them or risk being sued for copyright infringement. Trust me, if you are successful and using someone else's copyrighted material, you will get sued. So, draw up a royalty contract with the copyright owner before you record the material.
Competition
I don't necessarily mean who is recording the same kind of material. I assume you already know that. I mean who are the other independent labels. These are some of the things you need to find out:
* What is the going royalty fee?
* How much can you charge to rent out your studio? Or what should you be willing to pay to rent someone else's studio?
* Who are the best people to distribute your CDs? What will it cost you? Can you negotiate fees?
* What is your Unique Selling Proposition? In other words what make you stand out from the pack? How are you better than all of the others like you?
* Have you created a "brand" yet? By "brand" I mean a something that makes you unique and different. KISS and Madonna certainly have a unique brand. You need to develop your own "Brand"
You'll learn how to do this and everything else needed to start a record label by visiting www.TheUltimateRecordLabel.com
Promotion
Who are you going to sell your music to... who is your target segment? Teens in general, rap fans, jazz, country, hip hop fans, etc? How do you plan to reach your target audience? Will you send letters to the DJs, advertise in the local media, seek free publicity by doing free concerts, make sales calls, use an internet website, etc?
In other words, if you aren't familiar with marketing, you better get familiar or find someone who already is to work with you. In the competitive music business, you must shamelessly promote yourself every chance you get. The public has a very short memory for artists and unless you keep your name out there in front of them, the will completely forget about you. Think about all of the "one hit wonders".
Establish Your Business
Decide of a legal structure. Your choices are sole proprietorship, partnership and corporation. Because of all of the different skills needed to operate your independent record label, partnerships are the most common form. Unless you already have a lot of money or property, a sole proprietorship or partnership should be sufficient. You can always upgrade to a corporation when you have sufficient assets to need the protection incorporating provides.
If you choose a partnership, draw up a partnership agreement that lists in detail what each partner brought to the company, what their duties and responsibilities are and how they will share profits or losses. A partnership agreement is extremely important to avoid future problems.
Next, go register the business with the proper legal jurisdiction. Once you are registered, you can rent space, lease equipment, open accounts with vendors and do all of the other things necessary to operate a business. Join the professional organizations both in and outside the music area. It never hurts any business to join their local chamber of commerce. In fact that can be an excellent source of referrals.
Working Capital
Now that you are a registered business, you need to start a business checking account and get a credit or debit card so you have a way to pay your business bills. You will also need to set up books to record income and expenses to use for later tax reporting. If you aren't familiar with the tax requirements for small businesses go to your local small business development center. Most states have them and they provide either free or low cost assistance, advice or classes so you can learn what is required by law. Alternately, you can hire an accountant to do your bookkeeping for you.
I'm sure you heard the horror stories of a performer robbed blind by their accountant or business manager. So, even if you can afford to hire a business manager or an account, learn about keeping books and the legal requirements so the people you hire can't cheat you quite so easily.
Insurance
You will need some type of business insurance. Consult with the small business development center to see what they recommend you should get. You can ask an insurance professional but, unfortunately, they will tell you that you need everything and that really isn't true when you are first getting started in business. When you become successful, then you will need all of that.
Conclusion
Careful planning will get your independent record label off to a good start. If you take all of the necessary legal precautions you will save yourself a lot of trouble in the future.
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Top-Level Category: Articles
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