How to Start an Independent Record Label

Starting an independent record label, like starting any other business, requires a well-conceived plan with clear goals.

Step 1: Write a business plan
Write a business plan to demonstrate to potential investors that you know what is involved in running a label.

Step 2: Raise capital
Put together a budget, and raise the capital necessary to form and run the business. Funds can come from personal savings, loans from family or friends, bank loans, or investors.

Step 3: Choose a name
Choose a name for the label.

Tip
Check with local, state, and federal laws to ensure the business is properly registered.

Step 4: Contract a band
Contract an artist or band that makes great music and record their album.

Tip
Pick a band that is willing to tour. A record label suffers if the band does not tour.

Step 5: Contact the press
Submit the band's record to the press four months before the release date. This increases the chances of getting a review around the release date.

Step 6: Send press to distributors
Send any press about your label or its bands to music distributors.

Step 7: Make the album available
Have the album available in stores and online so the fans who didn't buy one at the concert can get an album with little hassle afterwards.

Did You Know?
Did you know? The original record players used wax cylinders that were 4¼ inches long.

[JayyReezy]

Kinda off subject but what song iz that instrumental from.?

[SuperGuitarMark]

can't focus, those guitar chords in the intro are sooo good

[ArtimusDragon]

@race1717 forget about CDs. That medium is a waste of time. Save your CD printing money any use it to promote your name instead. If people actually want your CD tell them it will have to cost extra since you'll have to get the proper materials to make it all look official.

[ArtimusDragon]

@howcast so basically...i dont need to check with any state officials to get my music out? Just call myself a label and thats it. Help me out folks.

[GBPacor]

I don't get why you have to register your label with the state and government

[DeftFW]

all it takes is 100 dollars to do this yourself.
From there it is up to you to move up.

[celebritychristopherfounta]

Celebrity Christopher and Penelope Fountain are the most famous celebrities on the planet and internet. J

[WarBeanz]

Seems simple enough, now where's my $Million start-up fund...

[xzibit]

@rooney1192 coolio record label

there you go :)

[hrmarinkovic]

OH NO I DON'T HAVE A NAME... WHAT NOW?

[RoxxHoffner]

Sounds great! We need a new girl band! World needs a new "Funk Brothers" too. Follow @RoxxHoffner on Twitter if you want to hire The Groove Cats.

[RoxxHoffner]

Step 8: Repeat steps 1-7 till you're blue in the face!!

[Nalopotato]

HE GONNA RUN A BIDNIZ ON A DOLLA FITTY

[mancreep]

@gustavohuink
awesome. fucking brilliant. sick of my sub box being filled with useless howcast vids.

[THYRDEYE]

Support Indie Music:
Cool animation * HOMERECORDINGMAN * Helping Artists sell more Indie Music online! Watch the tech/geek/hipster SuperHero flying around the net spreading the word and enlightening music fans everywhere. It takes talent, skill and money to make quality sounding recordings. The engineer won’t get paid unless the artist gets paid. The music you want to hear deserves some compensation if the artists need it. (most really do). Help them make their next recording.
Go to THYRDEYE

[satchitan]

the only reason why i'm not unsub yet is because i'm excited about what crap will be next video. . . .hahaha