How to Get Signed by a Record Label

Many artists share an end goal of getting signed to a record label. However, times changed since the dawn of the recording industry, and record labels rarely seek out undiscovered talent on their own anymore. Instead, record labels receive submissions from lesser-known artists, agencies, independent labels, and management teams and their A&Rs go through these submissions. Record labels still find artists, but these artists oftentimes already achieved the success that undiscovered talents expect a record label to help them accomplish. Want to know how to pitch your music to record labels and their A&Rs the right way? Read this article we recently wrote where we show you how.

After an A&R discovers you, the label has to propose the contract. At this stage, you should hire a contract lawyer to review the contract the record label sends you. Have a contract lawyer read your contract and ensure it has everything you want and that it does not have anything you do not want. A contract lawyer can also help you negotiate the contract by proposing changes to the contract that fit your needs. 

When artists think of signing to a record label, they often think of a 360 deal, a record deal that has its hand in everything they do, and collects a percentage from their performances, appearances, music sales and streams, and everything in the middle. However, most smaller artists will sign distribution, publishing, or licensing deals. While these deals offer less, they give the artist more freedom.  

If you’re a new artist, getting signed to a record label might be a dream come true. However, getting signed early on means you’re going to give up a larger chunk of your brand to the label than if you signed when you bring more value to the table. Finding a record label for your music career is just like finding an investor for your company—it’s going to cost you somewhere, and it’s not easy. 

Make sure to consistently pitch yourself to as many relevant labels as possible. Want to hire a team to pitch you to record labels and save you the work? Read more about our artist management services or contact us for more information. If you’re looking for more tips like these, check out all of our free artist resources for recording artists, bands, musicians, and their teams.