Getting Signed – Quick Version

Getting signed to a record label is a dream for many people. But because so many people want it, it’s a dream that is very hard to come true. If you want to increase your chances of being one of the lucky few then you need to make sure that you have something to offer the labels and have your sound perfected to get signed to a record label.

STEP 1
Make good music. No matter how badly you want a record deal if the music isn’t great then you can forget about getting signed to a label. Spend time perfecting your sound and musical skills.

STEP 2
Look sign able. There is a such thing as having “the look” and you want to make sure when you do get a chance to perform for an A&R rep that you look like someone who can be on MTV, BET or any of the other music channels.

STEP 3
Prepare a professional demo package. The Demo package should include a demo CD, a cover letter, a biography, a photograph and if you have them, press clippings.

STEP 4
Sell your sound. If you don’t fit into the norm of pop, rock, R&B and other standards then you need to be able to convince an A&R rep that your music can be sold commercially.

STEP 5
Locate a potential A&R rep that fits the music you’re making. To find potential A&R reps look in our Contact Record Labels.

STEP 6
Get an A&R rep to listen to you. Now this isn’t as easy as it sounds, but to start, you can throw a preview concert where you invite various A&R reps from all the major and independent labels as well as press to hear you play.

STEP 7
Prime yourself to accept an offer. If an offer comes along you are going to want to have an entertainment lawyer to look over the contract and a manager to represent you. Start interviewing managers and lawyers if it looks like signing to a record label is just around the corner.

GETTING SIGNED BY A MAJOR RECORD LABEL

THE REALISTIC METHOD

Are you a great artist looking to get signed by a successful record label? You have just had your CD mixed and mastered & bought 1,000 CDs from a manufacturer. What do you do now? Artists & musicians these days need to take matters into their own hands. I suggest that you buy the newest music industry resource book and start sending packages to all of the most successful record label A&R people, music managers music agents & music producers in the music business. You can get the greatest music industry resource which is called Contact Record Labels. Don’t just send your demo hoping that someone is going to listen to it. There are ways that you can get permission from a Record Label to send your music. It is very important to create a professional sounding demo, take studio quality 8×10 pictures & have a complete one-page biography. Like with any product under the sun packaging is very important. If you are not familiar with photoshop it will definitely be worth it to hire a professional graphic designer to design your CD cover.

INTERVIEW WITH CHRIS BLACKWELL FOUNDER OF ISLAND RECORDS

Chris Blackwell, founder of Island Records, reveals what you must do to contact A&R and Music Managers including what you should do and what you must not do – to make sure your demo or album gets heard by the decision-makers at the labels you would like to work with.

These days the most important thing you will need as a recording artist is a great website. Most record company A&R people, music managers, music agents, music publishers & music producers will ask you if they can check out your website instead of having you send them a demo. Make sure that your website allows visitors to listen & download your music samples. If you really want a record deal with a successful record company, you will need to go to great lengths to promote your own music. I recommend that you get a professional promotion package together yourself. Some record labels insist that you already have some kind of following. If you are going to sell your records online, you should get a barcode first at http://www.cdbaby.net/resources/barcode.htm If you are already a seasoned recording artist or music producer you should already have a complete & mastered LP or close to it. As a professional recording artist, it is your responsibility to get with music producers & complete albums. You should have a head start. Creating records is sometimes the least of an A&R person’s problems. So now you have your music demo, pictures, biography, a great website with pictures & audio clips. Sounds like you’re ready to approach music managers, a&r, music agents, music producers & music publishers.