I will keep this short and simple, after all the target audience is probably in a hurry to check out the YouTube videos. As an upcoming artist, music executive and businessman, my directive is to share much information with my peers in a language they can understand, so forgive the tone.
With so much information available on the internet, and social media has made it easy to connect to fans without a major label behind you, why would still look for a record deal if you could just build your own and sign your self? If that the type of thinking you have, well here is some pointers for you.
There are probably more things you need to have to start up a successful label or group so this is just a piece to point you to the write direction. This is a condensed version of what I've learnt so far.
5 Things an upcoming label/group needs.
1. Money (Start up money, operations money)
Obviously, money is initial to any business and a record label is a business that sells music. You need start up money to set up all your staff, might be legal requirements such as registrations, or buying of equipment. You will need money to finance your operations such as transport, accommodation, meals depending what your label gets up to. Dot stress you currently at an advantage because the smaller you are the less are you costs, the cost only increase as your ventures grow. You will spend a lot of money before you make money, so spend your money strategically.
2. Face (Premium artist to push forward)
You will need an main act they will be the embodiment of the label. If you have more that one artist, it important to pick and artist that best represents the label and is more likely to make money for the label.
Cash Money (Lil Wayne), Aftermath (Eminem), Young Money (Drake), Ambitious (Emtee)
3. Technicians (Graphic designers, Producers, Editors)
As much as you can hire people for such services, it always smart to have them in your team, just for reliability, availability and loyalty reasons. The last thing you want is to share the same producers with your competition. Having your own technicians also enables your band to obtain it own signature.
4. Relationships (It not what you know, it who you know)
Anyone in the industry will tell you they are were they are because of some one. Maintaining good relationships with industry holders is key. Radio personalities, other label heads, marketing specialists, promoters, booking agents, engineers, basically be nice to everybody, even if you have to fake it, they call it networking.
5. Leader ( clear and undisputed leader with necessary
expertise)
Everybody in the room must know who is the boss. It makes things simple artists or staff know who to go to for the final approval or comment. However the leader must definitely have leadership qualities and sufficient knowledge about the industry
In conclusion, the best thing you can do for your self and label/group is educate your self. From the creative to the business side of things. Knowledge plus talent and funding is definitely the key to success.
Article by:
Mthobisi Cebolenkosi Mahendula, 2017
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