What are the best ways to start a independent lable? i have five artist,is that an advantage?

Question

What are the best ways to start a independent lable? i have five artist,is that an advantage?

Answer 1

The main downfall of many independent labels is the inability to market and distribute their acts to a wide audience.  Actually starting the label is easy (all you need is at least one artist).  

Concentrate first on getting the CDs into places they might sell.  Forget Wal-MArt, etc.  They only want to deal with artists on the charts.  Think about other places that might provide an audience. Obviously, selling CDs at the artists' shows is one way (and don't forget to help the artists book shows - this is part of marketing).   Look for locally owned shops that cater to the same audience.  For example, music stores (the kind that sell instruments) would be a good place.  Local coffee houses that book similar type artists is another.  Think outside the box.

Then, look around at the local radio stations.  College stations are good for playing new music and stuff off the charts.  Maybe one of the smaller radio stations in the area that plays similar music has a local music hour or something similar (if not, offer to produce one for them for free using your groups and other label's groups - just tape it on your computer and send it to them).   Bite the bullet and plan on 15 to 20 CDs extra when you do your production run to hand out as promo's to the stations.

Create a web site and offer small bits of the songs (30 seconds).  Create MySpace and Facebook pages for the bands/artists.  Look for places on the web (CDBaby, etc.) that specialize in independent artists.

Remember, anyone can create a label - what you need to be successful is to convince people to buy what you are producing.  Folks have limited dollars to spend on entertainment and you are competing for those dollars.

BTW, make sure you know copyright laws inside and out.  Help the bands get their stuff copyrighted (protects you and them).  Be prepared to do a lot of legwork.  Sell the CDs out of your garage by mail order.

One last thing - go the following web site and drop a line to Mike Park.  Mike started Asian Man Records quite a while ago out of his parent's garage and is quite successful and quite willing to share knowledge about running a record label.  He is also a great guy.  Ask him for tips.

http://www.asianmanrecords.com/