Tips to Get Signed by a Record Label
Record Labels are always looking for new artists. Their primary function is releasing music to the public to sell and stream. Although it is the dream of most upcoming artists as it is seen as the springboard to stardom, it is a dream that doesn’t always become a reality. For one, there are thousands of artists who are also looking to be signed to a record label, just like you, thereby making the competition stiff.
Getting signed doesn’t come easily. It requires hard work, a lot of it. You need to know what the record labels are looking for in the artists they want to sign. Just as artists are desirous of leveraging the labels relationships to their benefits, record labels are also eager to leverage the artists’ abilities and fanbase. This presupposes that the artists must bring value to the table and be beneficial to the record label to have a shot at being signed. This article will briefly consider some steps an artist can take to bolster their chances of being signed.
- Make Good/Quality Music:
Obviously! The way to get the attention of a record label executive is by making good music. It is the starting point. If you cannot make good music, then your chances of making it as a recording artist are slim. It is not just about making music, but consistently making good music that makes you stand out. Learning about songwriting and production will help you improve the music you make. Ensuring that your music is mixed and mastered correctly is another way of improving your music’s sound and ensuring it stands out. Lastly, getting feedback about your music is equally important. Receiving feedback gives you objectivity about your music, it’s quality and what to improve on. Remember, the music you put out demonstrates your talent and a display of your overall professionalism.
- Build a Fanbase:
Record labels are more likely to be attracted to artists who have an established fanbase than others. The bigger the fanbase, the higher your chances are. The reason is that record labels are in the business to make a profit. The profit is gotten from the commercialisation of your music and brand. Fans are needed to stream your music, buy the music, attend and pay for tours and buy your merchandise. You can build your fanbase through social media platforms. Best believe that when a record label is interested in an artist, they also check his social media accounts. Labels expect to see your social media profiles consistently filled with great content and engagement. Your fanbase is a representation of your potential and evidence of the traction your music has gathered. You will definitely attract the attention of labels if you have a mass following of loyal fans with whom you have consistent engagements.
- Network:
Networking is an essential aspect of business in this modern age, and this does not exclude the music industry. Networking helps you find different people in various industry fields, and those connections may come in handy in the future. Having a contact who can put in a word for you in a label may be the last piece of the puzzle to ensuring you get signed. They could also give you guidance, features and people to contact. Your network could help provide feedback on your music, advise you, collaborate with other artists, and even perform in music industry conferences and shows, which may offer you more visibility. Networking often doesn’t happen perchance. It is a deliberate and conscious act. Put yourself in positions where you could meet A&R scouts, managers and other industry gatekeepers who can help you get deals. You can meet these people at music industry conferences, masterclasses, and events record labels do, including shows. Remember, who you know is just as important as what you do.
- Invest in Your Brand:
Branding is important because it distinguishes you from others and helps create a memorable impression about you—branding cuts across all spheres of life, including the music business. Quality and consistent branding make you look professional and sets you apart from other artists. Remember, the music industry is first and foremost a business, and business rules apply there. Ensuring that your social media pages and websites have the same theme, pictures and bio will make it easier for your fans and labels to identify you easily. Whenever they see that brand, they can identify it with you. Your brand should be not only consistent but also visually pleasing. These include having a logo, professional photographs, and artworks for your releases. You could hire a designer and photographer if necessary. It is an investment in your brand. No one will be willing to invest in you if you cannot invest in yourself.
- Think Like a Record Label:
Understanding how record labels work and think will increase your chances of getting signed, as you will be able to tailor yourself, music and brand to their preference. As stated earlier, record labels are businesses, and the rules of business apply to them. They are in the industry not to give artists a platform to shine first but to profit. Developing and giving artists a platform and visibility is merely incidental to their main purpose of making a profit. They generate their profit by selling music, collecting royalties, live performances, tours and merchandise. Therefore, an artist who has the criteria to enable them to profit will have a higher chance of being signed. This means artists with a higher fanbase, good marketing, music, and dedication stand a better chance of being signed. Although record labels have the money and connections an artist needs to become a superstar, they only want to spend it on artists who can recoup their investment. If it makes no business sense to them, then they won’t sign you. If you understand what record labels are looking for, it will help you know what to work on and increase your chances of being signed.
Tips to Get Signed by a Record Label
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I am a Nigerian qualified lawyer with over 3 years of post-qualification experience. I’m an alumnus of the University of Lagos and the Queen Mary University of London where I completed a master’s degree in corporate commercial law with a distinction. I’m also a drummer, a lover of dogs and an avid gamer.
Over the years, I have offered corporate and commercial services to companies, businesses and start-ups and provided advisory services to artists and record labels. I currently work with Laude London, a music management consultancy firm that offers publishing, sync placement, branding, and A&R services to artists.
