Everybody who dreams of becoming a successful recording artist begins their journey focused on landing their first record deal, although the evolution of the recording industry has led to many artists deciding to remain independent. However, the support of a record company can help you when you are looking for publicity and reach more potential fans, according to The Guardian. The work of the traditional record company is now being overtaken by smaller independent labels offering more progressive record deals, such as those from Benjy Grinberg Rostrum Records founder.
1. Always be Professional
When you are looking to get a record deal with an independent or major label, you are going to face a whole host of competition from your peers and many artists who have a large online following. If you are hoping to stand out from the crowd, the best option is to record a demo that is as professional as possible and make sure it gets into the hands of a record label executive. Many bands are not looking to record demos in the 21st-century with the ability to release recordings on your own label a good option to look into. Looking at the career of the Arctic Monkeys, the first EP released was made available through their own label established purely for the five songs to be released through.
2. Get Out and Perform
The BBC recommends taking a different approach to making demos and blindly sending them to record executives. Benjy Grinberg Rostrum Records CEO agrees with this approach because his own label has built a large online following through YouTube. In the view of Benjy Grinberg, the success of his large independent label is based on looking to find artists who have built their following in the live arena and online.
3. Build your Fanbase
Recording Connection reports the best way of getting noticed by a record label in the 21st-century is to build a fanbase online. Many major and independent record labels take notice of the number of views a performer or band has on platforms such as YouTube. If you have a large fanbase and hope to build on this, you can look to create a major social media following that will show the labels out there you have the power to pull in many fans. Rostrum Records is proud of the fact it has a history of millions of views on YouTube with more than half a billion already achieved.
4. Don’t Forget About Promotion
There should be a dedicated push from you to make sure you correctly promote your career at all times. If you are looking to create a professional career, you should always make sure you are getting the most from your live performances or online releases. To make sure you do this, you should make sure you are creating detailed mailing lists and text alerts for your fans, potential labels, and the press. Ask any record label executive about the power of the press and they will explain this is the most important area of building momentum for a band.
5. Show Some Patience
One of the biggest issues you may face will be the slow nature of the movement to =wards getting a record deal. For most bands and solo artists, the signing of a record deal comes after at least two or more years of trying to make it in the music industry. If you become desperate and try to push for a record deal too much you may become stranded in a deal that does not suit your needs. A record company can usually sense the desperation of an artist who is looking to push for a deal and offer them unfavorable terms.
6. Consider your Genre
Your dream may be to sign a record deal but is sending a demo to an executive the best option for achieving success. If you consider the genre you are looking to work within, you may find that you have more options open to you than in the past. Alongside making demo recording and online videos, an artist in the dance sector may be better served in building their career by giving their recording to DJs and club promoters. Building a relationship with a successful DJ may lead to their recommendation to a record label to take a chance on you in offering you your first record deal.
