How to Get a Record Deal

Once a band or solo artists starts to feel confident in their repertoire, they inevitably start to ask themselves, "How do I get signed?" That question comes in many forms: How do I find a label? What should I send a label to get them to listen? How do I get a record deal?

There are a few ways to answer this question:

1) Seek out a big label. To get any listen time here, you have to have a very expensive agent or very important connections. If you are lucky enough to get an offer, these powerhouse labels often retain all the power and all creative control.

2) Market yourself. This is much easier than getting your foot in the door at a major label, but if you're looking "to get a record deal," that's not what you're going to get. You retain complete control, but you have to rely completely on your own connections and front 100% of the capital yourself.

3) Check out smaller, independent labels. Indie labels are a great balance between the major resources of a major label and the creative independence of self-promotion. Once you get signed by an indie label, you'll find that there are far fewer restrictions on how the label is willing to market your sound.

While indie labels are the way to go, you need to know how to get a record deal. To get a music contract, an artist or band should do the following:

1) Record a demo!! The number one requirement for all musician's learning how to get signed to a label is a demo. The demo does not have to be professionally recorded, but if you have the resources a nice sounding demo never hurts. To get a record deal, the label wants to know what you sound like!

2) Find a label that is accepting submissions. Some labels are closed to submissions, some require submissions through an agent, some just let you send in your stuff. A major part of getting a record deal is making sure your material is going to get a fair listen. Press packets or demo tapes sent blindly to major labels will almost always be returned, so look into the label's policy before wasting postage.

3) Put together a submission packet (often called a press pack.) To get a music contract, you need to present a full impression of your band (or yourself if you are solo.) A demo submission package generally includes a copy of your demo, a photograph of the band or artist, and a brief band bio. If you want to get signed to a label, you have to help the label quickly figure out whether you would be a good fit among their artists.