Who hasn’t heard those fantastical stories of the totally un-known artist who just happens to randomly send their CD to a record label, which just happens to land on the A&R's desk, who then plays it and is totally blown away it, and so just signs that artist and the artist then goes on to live the dream! …Hmmm!
In the real world the story’s a little bit different. I am not sure if most artists are aware that record companies have limited resources, yet they get 1000’s of products being sent to them everyday by post, email or by hand, or that the employees of the record label are human beings and not machines and therefore have limits, preferences and choices. Another consideration worth mentioning is the fact that label managers and A&Rs have their own separate contact sheets and industry professionals who they listen to when they want to get the low-down on the latest trend.
Is this really possible? Yes it is possible and it happens all the time. It has even happened to me on occasion, which is why I wanted to share this information with you!
There are 3 things that I notice brings the labels out of the woodwork. They are:
1. Getting a known producer within your genre to produce a slamming track for you. There are known or “Name Producers” who are willing
to do deals for independent artists if they like the music. You could sometimes get a named producer to do a track for way below their normal rate. When a name producer does a track, it cuts through the bureaucracy and brings you into the heart of influencers who have placed this producer high in their mind of who a good producer is! This move can get you noticed and to the table of key players.
2. Selling 5000 to 200,000 CDs or downloads. Selling music today is still a big issue. However those who produce music that sell strictly place themselves above any hype. Sales speaks where hype dear not show it’s face. Sales tell record companies you can make serious money with us!
3. Hooking up with a big name industry person with a whole load contacts. Although hard to come by on occasions. Once you get one and two above, even big industry players begin to phone you. Why, they are aware they can make money for you and for themselves therefore they will promote you to others with big cheque books!
My favourite method has always been to sell lots of CDs. Why? Because then I get to make a lot of money from my own recording for myself before anyone else can. In addition to this if I have made £30,000 from record sales, no label can offer me less than that amount. This means that the more I sell the more of an advance I am able to negotiate from any type of recording deal.
So from now on let these three points be in the forefront of your mind and begin to decide on what you need to put in place so that you can be in the position to be chased rather than for you to do the chasing!
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