Get Signed To A Record Label In 5 Steps
If you’ve got a band then you know how hard it is to get signed to a minor record label, more less a major recording label. If you want to get signed to a record label, you’ll need to know some basics of band promotion. This article will give you 5 steps you can take to get your band signed. Enjoy.
Step One
Make your own CD. This may sound silly, but so many bands just do cover tunes and then expect to get signed with Columbia Records. Not gonna happen. You’ll need your own CD with your own music, no covers.
Step Two
Put together a press kit that shows all your past gigs and previous gigs you’ve done. Make sure to include all the bands you’ve played with and any recordings you may have done with other labels. You can even include an Indie label here. This is pretty much like a resume. It should include the following: the places you’ve played at, how long you’ve been playing, the USP for your band, the kind of music you play and some recent recordings. But remember, the press kit is only to spark interest in you, not get you signed.
Step Three
Once your press kit is put together, send it to all the major agents in the type of music you play. (alternative, R&B, grunge). Again, this sounds simple, but so many bands forget about doing this, yet they expect to somehow get signed. Keep in mind the agent is kind of a go between for record labels. Get to know this person and you’ll have your foot in the door. Before you’ll ever get signed, you’ll need to get to know the agents in your genre of music. Deliver your press kit multiple times in multiple packages, (Fed-Ex, USPS, UPS and so on). Be persistent and consistent and the agent will notice.
Step Four
Keep on recording and putting together your press kits. Major record labels look for experience, a fan base (following) and yes, they look for talent. Remember, the 90′s are long gone and major record labels are no longer looking for garage bands. Nirvana did that and it’s no longer the in thing. If you want to get signed, you’ll have to put in the hard work involved. Getting signed will become your full time job, so put your heart into it. Make sure you have some slick and professional looking marketing materials. Ask the agent(s) you’ve been talking to for some recommendations of designers for your materials. Trust me, they’ll be flattered by this.
Step Five
Be consistent and persistent and continue to check back with the record label you are trying to get signed with. Don’t expect them to just call you, they are a lot busier than you are. Check back in with them a couple times a week. You can use direct mail, voice mail, email, fax, facebook, Twitter and all the other ways we stay connected. Let the label know you are still interested and you are ready to get signed. Remember, not every rock star is there because of his talent. A lot of them became rock stars because they worked harder than the other guys.
About the Author
Learn the Secret Steps that Most Unsigned Musicians Will Never Know: Get The 12 Steps You Must Master to Make it in Music by visiting Make It In Music
|
|
Advert for the Columbia Bicycle by The Pope MFG Co., Boston (colour litho) by American School – Mug – Standard Size $14.50 This mug is created using the finest dye sublimation techniques and creates a stunning dishwasher safe finish. Great as a gift, or for promotional items. Each of our mugs come individually boxed for protection in transit…. |
|
|
Advert for the Columbia Bicycle by The Pope.. – 3×2 inch Fridge Magnet – large magnetic button – Magnet $4.99 Rectangular wrap-around refrigerator magnet and a glossy mylar cover.Large 2×3 inch rectangle fridge magnet or ‘buttons’ as they are sometimes known in the USA.Crop shown is automated for display purposes only. All magnets are hand finished and the best most appropriate crop will always be selected to best show the full image. Therefore, actual product may vary slightly from crop shown – this can … |
|
|
Advert for the Columbia Bicycle by The Pope.. – Tea Towel 100% Cotton – Art247 – Tea Towel – 46x70cm $20.49 100% Cotton. Made in UK. Size 70cms X 46cmsThis is an automated preview only. Actual Tea Towel design may vary. All products are hand finished by our expert manufacturers and the best crop available will always be selected…. |
|
|
21 $7.25 ADELE 21… |
|
|
Blunderbuss $6.85 Produced by Jack White and recorded at his own Third Man Studio in Nashville, Blunderbuss has been described by White as “an album I couldn’t have released until now. I’ve put off making records under my own name for a long time but these songs feel like they could only be presented under my name. These songs were written from scratch, had nothing to do with anyone or anything else but my own expr… |
|
|
Born and Raised $9.99 Born and Raised, the new album from Grammy Award-winning singer, songwriter and musician John Mayer. The first single, “Shadow Days,” Billboard calls “a gentle and shimmering confluence of mellow Southern rock”.Mayer produced Born and Raised with Don Was, who worked on albums for acts such as the Rolling Stones, B.B. King and Bonnie Raitt. Rock legends David Crosby and Graham Nash provide vocals o… |
|
|
Krokus: The Video Blitz [VHS] $16.95 10 great songs including: Our Love (uncensored version), Ballroom Blitz, Eat the Rich, Ready to Rock, Screaming in the Night, Long Stick Goes Boom, Heatstroke, Stayed Awake All Night, Midnight Maniac, Headhunter… |
|
|
Star Trek The Next Generation Collector’s Edition – Power Play / Ethics $1.00 Collector’s Edition packaging from Columbia House Video Library (1994) or two episodes (copyright 1992 from Paramount Pictures). Two full-length episodes from Season 5 aired on 24 Feb 1992 – “Power Play” and 2 Mar 1992 – “Ethics”… |
|
|
Star Trek The Next Generation Collectors Edition The Bonding & Booby Trap $1.00 … |
|
|
Wilton 63302 6-Inch Shop Vise $142.66 WILTON Shop Vises mount to your workbench. 360° swivel base with double lockdown. Replaceable top jaws. Built in pipe jaws. Rubber pinch point safety guards. Large anvil work surface…. |
|
|
The Stanley Brothers – Complete Columbia Recordings $6.92 Disc 0:No track list available |
|
|
Lonnie Liston Smith – Explorations: The Columbia Recordings $17.81 Description Not Available |
|
|
Aretha Franklin – Just a Matter of Time: Classic Columbia Recordings 1961-1965 $19.6 Disc 1:Rough LoverIt`s So Heartbreakin`Just For YouShoop Shoop Sont, The (It`s In His Kiss)One Room ParadiseWhen They Ask About YouTwo Sides of LoveI Told You SoIt`s Just a Matter of Time… |
|
|
Doris Day – Golden Girl: The Columbia Recordings 1944-1966 $16.9 Disc 1:DISC 1:Sentimental Journey – (with Les Brown & His Orchestra)My Dreams Are Getting Better All the Time – (from “In Society”, with Les Brown & His Orchestra)It`s Magic – (from “Romance On The High Seas”)Lov… |
|
|
Freddie Scott – Mr Heartache/Best Of The Columbia Recordings Plus! [5/5] * $19.6 Disc 1:Lonely ManGiving You My HeartBlow, WindMy Arms Aren`t Strong EnoughOne More Time Before You GoI`m Too Far Gone (To Turn Around)Just One LoveIt`s Been Like This (All My Life)Sing, Girl |
|
|
360 Sound (Hardcover) $26.48 For 125 years, Columbia Records has remained one of the most vibrant and storied names in prerecorded sound, nurturing the careers of legends such as Bessie Smith, Frank Sinatra, Barbra Streisand, Miles Davis, Bob Dylan, Johnny Cash, Bruce Springsteen,… |
|
|
Miles Davis – Seven Steps: The Complete Columbia Recordings Of Miles Davis 1963-1964 [Box] $88.78 Description Not Available |
|
|
Original Soundtrack – Songs of Anarchy: Music from Sons of Anarchy, Seasons 1-4 $12.53 Disc 0:No track list availableDisc 1:This LifeSon of a Preacher ManForever YoungJohn the RevelatorFortunate SonSlip Kid – (featuring Franky Perez)Girl from the North Country |
|
|
Laura Story – Blessings $11.59 Disc 1:This is the DayFriend of SinnersYou Are LoveWhat a SaviorBlessingsYour Name Will Be PraisedOne Life To LoseProdigal SongRememberFaithful God |
|
|
Sessions With Sinatra $14.66 While much has been written about the turbulent private life of Frank Sinatra, the very essence of what made him such a magnetic performer–his voice–has largely gone unsurveyed. Charles L. Granata, the producer of Sinatra`s Columbia recordings, go |
No comments »