Run Your Own Record Label

These days so many young boys and girls wish to make it in the music industry as artists. Many do not understand how difficult it really can be to make an actual living in such a competitive industry. Talent is a major factor but you cannot get by with talent alone in this business. How hard can it really be? I hear all you ambitious musicians out there saying!!!! Well like any career or business it requires hard work, determination and a lot of learning. Many artists these days are going down the independent route and shunning the majors, being an artist has become like running a business and like any other business it requires knowledge of your field and plenty of hard graft. Essentially being an independent artist is running your own record label, and this is not impossible if you do it properly. There are so many aspects to the music business that you must consider as an artist, whether you would like to go down the independent route or you are seeking a major label deal. To make it easier for you guys I am just going to give you a run down on setting up and running your own record label.

Running your own label

One of the first problems you will come across running your own label will be finance, not just start up costs but ongoing cash flow. To press up 1000 CD’s can cost from £750 to £1000, but then there are additional costs. Promotion, your own basic living expenses etc etc. The music business is a very risky business and investors more often than none don’t get it. Unless you have your own capital from some very rich family members then when it comes to finance you will find it very hard. The best thing to do for finance would be look for a benefactor who has always been interested in the music business who will be willing to lend you the money. There are other ways to generate small start up capital, such as the Prince’s Trust, if you are 16 or over and have a business idea you can get up to £5000 to put in to it. This money does have to be paid back but it is interest free money, so this is a great option.

Once you have set up your label, you can go to distributors, but they will want something concrete, as in finished product. They like to see some track record to instil confidence, it is a good idea to set up as a limited company as distribution companies like to see this and it limits your liability in any court case that may arise. This all may be going over your head but it is very important you know these details if you want to set up as an independent artist and release your material on your own steam.