Over the past decade or so, music listening habits have certainly changed. CD sales are, not surprisingly, at an all-time low, and vinyl records have seen a recent resurgence. However, streaming is still the name of the game, and it seems to be here to stay (for now). Since self-releasing your music on streaming services has a real DIY attitude, you might think that you don’t need any help when it comes to getting your music out there. However, you’ll find that having record label representation in the music business clearly has its benefits.
In this short guide, we’ll discuss some of the most constructive and effective ways to get noticed by a record label. Let’s dive in.
Identify Your Genre and Hone Your Talent
Identifying your genre and honing your talent are both essential steps to take if you want to get noticed by record labels. One of the most effective and useful ways to establish yourself as a successful musician is to find your niche area and become an expert in it by mastering all of its nuances, especially if you play multiple instruments or enjoy remote music collaboration. Doing this means becoming well-versed not only in the composition and production aspects but also in the history, culture, and context that constitutes the genre you’ve chosen.
By doing so, you’ll be better prepared to present yourself as a knowledgeable artist that has a deep understanding of their own material. Your work will stand out from other musicians because you’ll have communicated that you have something fresh and unique to offer. You don’t need much else to grab the attention of industry professionals.
Create a Professional Press Kit
Creating a professional press kit is essential for independent artists looking to be noticed by major record labels. It serves as an initial point of contact between unsigned talent and the music industry, allowing labels to immediately appreciate an artist’s style and potential. Innovative ways to present a press kit, such as in a visually appealing email or online portfolio, are effective strategies for presenting an artist’s credentials and demonstrating their ability to create original and engaging content.
The key is making sure the recipient knows what the contents of the press kit are – it should always include comprehensive biographical information about the artist, links to music, images or videos created by the artist, press clippings from reviews or press releases, as well as any awards or accomplishments. Crafting a well-crafted presentation will go a long way in impressing even the top record execs and getting attention from those who can make dreams come true.
Build a Following
Building a following is truly one of the most effective music marketing strategies that aspiring artists can use to get noticed by record labels. Gaining recognition from music lovers via social media accounts, music streaming platforms, and even live performances allows your music to reach new audiences while solidifying your fan base. Also, never underestimate the power of great music videos. Show the world you can be creative in more than one way.
With a solid music marketing strategy and a strong enough following, you can demonstrate that you possess the potential to become a successful musician and spark the interest of music industry insiders. Record labels want their money to be invested in solid talents or projects that will make them more money in return, and having proof of a deeply rooted fanbase is a great way to do just that.
Have Your Music Prepared
While luck can always be a factor in how to get signed by a record label, having your music prepared is the surest way to get noticed. It’s essential that musicians take the time to create great material and rehearse as much as possible so that their sound and performances are polished.
Having a mastered demo reel with multiple songs of the same genre will make it easier for decision-makers at record labels to envision how an artist might fit their existing roster, not to mention to get your music heard by people who could potentially offer you a record deal. Being ready to hit the ground running when an opportunity presents itself is how artists can maximize their chances of getting noticed and working with desired partners.
If you make electronic music with a digital audio workstation (DAW), you may have wondered about the differences between the popular Logic Pro vs. Ableton Live. They both offer powerful features for recording, editing, and mixing audio, as well as a wide range of sound design options. MIDI programming paradigm: Logic Pro is sequencer-based, meaning it works best for creating patterns and musical parts that are based on a timeline. Ableton Live is clip-based, which allows users to create music by arranging short snippets of audio clips.
Logic Pro has a library of built-in audio effects, synthesizers, and samplers. It also features a suite of MIDI instruments and FX that allow you to create realistic-sounding tracks. This makes it an ideal choice for creating music in any genre: hip-hop, EDM, rock, classical, etc. In some ways, Logic’s audio effects menus are more intuitive and user-friendly than those found in Ableton Live. Logic also offers a wider range of synths, samplers, and effects than Ableton. Logic’s MIDI architecture is more complex than Ableton’s, and its interface is much less intuitive. If you’re new to DAWs, Ableton may be a better choice due to its simpler interface.
With audio units, MIDI FX, and third-party plugins, Logic Pro gives producers a huge range of options for sound design. Its intuitive and user-friendly interface makes it easy to use even for new users, while its powerful features allow experienced producers to create complex audio productions.
Network With Industry Professionals
Networking with industry professionals is one of the best ways to get noticed by record labels. The music industry can be intimidating, but networking allows aspiring artists to connect with the people who can help them move their careers forward and make their mark on the scene.
Taking time to meet and build relationships with producers, sound engineers, songwriters, and A&R representatives can pay dividends by providing invaluable connections that can open doors when it comes time for a record label to choose which artist they want to work with. Put some effort into building a solid team of contacts, and you may end up being at the top of a record label’s list once they’re ready to start signing new talent.
Reach Out To Labels
For those aspiring musicians out there trying to get noticed, the advice from industry veterans is often the same: reach out to record labels and make them aware of your work. Despite so much talent circulating in the music world, you need to do what you can in order to stand out and make sure your work is seen. This could involve finding contacts that specialize in genres similar to yours, sending sample tracks for review, or even creating something unique yourself and broadcasting it across social media platforms.
While there’s no guarantee of success following these steps, they open up the possibility of achieving a larger audience. To boost your chances of getting noticed by a label, it’s essential to keep connected with them on a consistent basis and showcase why your music should be taken seriously.
Follow Up
As any artist knows, getting noticed by a record label is no easy feat. Having the drive and ambition to make it in music doesn’t always guarantee success; artists need to be proactive as well as talented to attract the attention of a label. One way for an artist to stand out from the competition is by following up after submitting new music or performing at showcases.
A follow-up can be in the form of a simple email expressing appreciation for the time taken to listen to the new material or even requesting feedback and advice from their team. This will create a personal connection that shows interest and dedication, making it more likely that their music stands out amongst other submissions.
Following up also gives musicians another chance to prove themselves as they may have had a bad day during their showcase performance – but with further communication, they can create an opportunity to show improvement over time and develop tangible relationships with labels.
The Bottom Line
Getting signed by a record label isn’t easy, but the steps discussed in this article can help you stand out from the crowd and start you on the right path. By making sure your audio recording is prepared and ready for review, networking with industry contacts, reaching out to labels directly, and following up after submitting material or performing at showcases – you’ll be able to maximize your chances of success.