Shopping to Labels is a Waste of Time

Shopping to a Label is a Waste of Time

Enter the new catch 22...
The only way a label is going to sign you is if you can demonstrate you have your shit together enough that you don't need a label.
For all kinds of reasons, labels are starting to wise up and they want to see that you can sell albums. And they know that it’s possible for you to prove that to them now. They’re also starting to realize that if you work hard enough to prove it, you might realize you don’t need them so much.

But for those who still want to get on a record label, here’s what a label wants you to do
1-get fans to come to your show
2-sell downloads and generate buzz online and in the media
3-play shows and prove your self in markets outside of your hometown.
4-make money

If you can do all of those things, then labels will come calling.
Of course, if you can do all of those things, you’ll notice that you’re probably doing better financially than you would have had you been signed to a label. And then you’ll be asking yourself the same question a lot of music writers are asking right now… what good are labels anyway?

The dream of many realistic aspiring artists now is simply to have somebody give them enough money to fund some elements of the recording, duplication, promotion and touring so they can quit their day job and make music full time. It seems reasonable enough. They’re not looking for millions of dollars, they just want someone to help them out.

But anyone that is going to shell out money to help an artist has to believe there will be some sort of return. So the question the struggling artist needs to ask is, “how do I make money off the music I’ve got?” or “how do I get more people to come to my shows?” or “how can I get more people to talk about me on the internet?” and so on… these are the questions labels ask about their own artists when they promote. As an artist, why not ask (and answer) these questions yourself?

The bottom line: expect that no label is going to write a check to pay for you to make your album, much less press it or promote it. You need to prove that it will make money by doing all these things yourself.