While going independent can be a great option for some, others prefer to put all their creative resources into the art of crafting music, while leaving distribution, marketing and admin to a label. There’s no sure-fire way of getting signed, but here are some tips on what you should be working on.

  • Establish an original style to your music – When label managers are going through thousands of submissions, you need to stand out!
  • Quality is important – Make sure your content is the absolute best quality it can be. No matter how long you spend fine tuning the smallest details.
  • Perform live – Show that you can take your music outside of your bedroom and get real people (and talent scouts) interested.
  • Build yourself a small fan base – Utilize social media to build yourself a following. If you can bring this audience to the label, this will entice managers to want to work with you.
  • Create a style guide – Make sure your album covers and social profiles look appealing. This one may be a little tricky for those with no graphic design background, but there are plenty of free sources online to help you get started.
  • Start small – Don’t go knocking on the door of one of the major players straight away. Building as an artist may take years.
  • Find a label that suits you – Many labels will stick to a certain genre or style. Find one that best represents your sound.
  • Don’t get screwed over – Ensure they can provide reasonable privileges over going independent for a reasonable price. If there’s any legal jargon in the contract that you don’t understand, ask them exactly what you’re signing over.
  • Consider how locked in you are – You don’t want to find a label owns all of your content and any future releases for life. Allow yourself the option of leaving should the label be giving you little return.