How to Start a Record Label

Think you know how to spot the next big thing?
Starting a record label will be a profitable venture if you know how to develop artists and a structure to allow you to earn money from their sales.
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[@Burstimo]

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[@prodbylinear3322]

the information you are giving is the absolute truth

[@nigelwurayayi2794]

If you haven't already, please do a video where you discuss the contract you give artists you sign. Going into detail about what should be included and what shouldn't.

[@CarlosPacheco-jh1hf]

bro you should probably go see a lawyer for that man lol

[@gonzalodangelodj]

Thank you for this video, as a dj and label owner I have started from scratch and realized these days most of the work is organically engage an audience and motivate/promote your artists with content, be it for example just a picture matching the track's mood. It is a long run.

[@my360energy]

this video was everything....thank you so much and keep putting out content PLEASE AND THANKS

[@nigelwurayayi2794]

Loved this video. It was very informative and I am more confident than ever. Subscribed!

[@33Initiative]

This is your best video yet thanks guys x

[@kelvinlevi5311]

Wonderful information. I have waited for this inform from you. Finally got it

[@bennguyen7475]

I've actually thought about doing this ages ago but forgot hahaha thanks for reminding me with the quality video :)

[@themarcos150591]

Extremely useful, thank you so much!

[@muhammedfayiskk5512]

Now I found what I was looking for years... Thanks for the great advises .

[@joshuasterling9596]

Excellent info! Thank you for your expertise.

[@LofiCult]

Explained in a very comprehensible and understandable manner 👌 thanks for that! 💜 Subscribed to stay tuned 🤙

[@CompC]

One of the best vids out! 🙌🏾🙌🏾🙌🏾

[@wahwah9261]

I'm in Australia I'm a local rapper. I'm thinking about making a label because I'm gunna need one for my crew they are good rappers strait from the street with pure raw talent and I believe in them like they believe in me. I wanna sign them to my label and drop my own songs on my label aswell. Even if it takes 5/10 years to get their.

[@geofflangstoncoach]

Really useful and practical info thanks. Have subscribed to your channel:)

[@youarerightbut5066]

You are gold my friend. Thanks

[@Rolf2112]

Hello! Great stuff on this channel. Any video or advice for starting a label just for REISSUES?

[@blacksagemanagement5155]

Great content !!✊🏿

[@dzbeatsofficial]

So resourceful!

[@piotr803]

Wonderful piece of advice. Could you do a video specifically on sync opportunities, how to find them, which companies to approach etc?

[@Burstimo]

Sure!

[@ultralifeproject]

This information is Gold. Thanks man. +1 Subscriber.

[@Sunovamusic]

great advise thank you!

[@yovanni]

This was super helpful and very well spoken

[@misssagittarius1784]

Brilliant content very resourceful 👍

[@oldaccount628]

so helpful thank you!

[@stevetragg]

Could you do a case study or give a paractical example. Money + which expertise invested and what R.O.I. ?

[@mvsa3408]

We are a collective of artists based in Buenos Aires, Argentina and we are thinking of starting our own label. Thanks so much for this great information! ⚡️

[@WhtsTheSZN]

And I’m a artist Trying to get signed

[@vocalsync135]

Nice tips!! Thank you!

[@DEEP_PRACTICE]

Amazing practical insights as per usual, Thank-You!

[@jack7342]

THIS IS USEFUL TO START A SUCCESSFUL RECORD LABEL

[@oshanemclean2815]

Amazing video!

[@Fraudemusic]

This was super helpful as I’ve been setting up a record label for the past couple months.

[@AdornationMusic]

Would you sign me when I'm ready 🤤

[@demarcushood273]

How the label coming along

[@alonzopr1]

Great inspiration, big bless from Israel

[@rebearthrecords4534]

Hi great video, do you have any info with releasing on Traxsource?

[@caryheuchert]

Great advice!

[@fionnmurphy5521]

Hey just wondering about what you said at 16:25. I’m looking to get a label account but cannot find a sign up. Could you link me please?

[@chumza7498]

Great video if you an artist yourself witch one is to push more your label or your artist or yourself in the social media world?

[@tyquanwilkerson3420]

yourself

[@TrevorYoungSierraLeone]

Very useful video

[@dangerbarry4288]

good info!

[@HellKey]

Really nice info. I am not looking for building my label yet, but it is really interesting to see things under the labels perspective. THe thing I would like to ask you is if a "decent" label would use a service like SubmitHub to look for artists and if it would be good for a label to work with an artist for a specific song instead of a 3-4 year contract. Thanks!

[@Burstimo]

Most labels sign minimum year contracts for a full signing but provide advances on occasions for artists for just a release or multiple releases

[@soroyalglobal_428]

I loved it!!!!

[@prince23ep]

one thing I was hoping you'd mention is copyrighting and how that works

[@tommycrawford9088]

"You have all your meetings in skype" didnt age well

[@stevetragg]

@@apcmrecordsuk5066 zooooooooooooom

[@speakyamindzent]

He have has some great advice because I started my own record label and it's a challenge but I wouldn't change it for the world i have 2 good artists but this is a great video

[@Thebigjosh233]

Awesome video

[@Shevzon]

Started my own record label :)

[@Blaskalka]

I´d love to see some kind of a guide from you to make a AD or BOOST on Facebook or Instagram .. step by step, which option is the best for musician .. it would be great cuz I find myself somehow believing in everything you do/say :D

[@Burstimo]

We've done a full Facebook ad tutorial which may be useful for you

[@Blaskalka]

@@Burstimo really ? I didn´t notice ... sorry then :)

[@Burstimo]

@@Blaskalka No worries, hopefully it'll be useful for you!

[@sarthaknarain4153]

Amazing how informative this was. Thank you so much

[@awalkwithrobinsonwave5144]

what the deferent in record label and a recording company?

[@Jerimeh]

How much money do we need to start one?

[@Darfoulds]

I know someone had funding for his singing career from a lottery winner..spent 250,000, went to a famous producer who had hits in the 90's, my friends songs sounded like they were in the 90's hence got nowhere except the producer who pocketed most of the money!

[@48hourrecordsteam45]

Darfoulds exactly... Everybody see people want to make it and they take advantage of these trying artist ....to put a coin in their pocket ... These digital distributors -distrokid for example ...they take ur money and throw your song up....and that’s it...!! This what I’m paying for .?.....where the help .!!!

[@calvinheldoorn9556]

@@48hourrecordsteam45 Distrokid is not a record label, neithet is the producer. Distrokid helps you distribute your music to major companies such as Spotify. It's then up to you to either sign to a label that'll do your marketing, artwork and a video for you or to invest your own money into such things (higher risk, bigger profit.) Good luck with your music!

[@goldenstar_1007]

😂

[@nicksk3919]

kiam- 48hour records bad example. Distrokid is just a music distributer service which you NEED to have in order to put your music on platforms like Spotify and Apple Music. The rest of what you do is what you yourself, the artist have to do to make the music pop. As again, this is the music industry and record labels won’t help you unless they see *value* into your music. For me, i am a music producer and I don’t have a label, at least not yet, but I have an artist sign to me as its common for producers to sign other producers & sound designers. We split everything 50/50 as I focus on overseeing his production, do the production myself, cover art, management, set up features, track list, promote etc. while he mainly focuses on recording the music and building all of his social media’s up.

[@oceanside664]

Where can I listen to the music? I’m interested

[@ChadRockwell]

So I actually learned last year that making music for a game usually works differently than in movies, commercials ect. Most of the time the music for games is just payed up front but I think you can still make money off of the ost on streaming sites or something.

[@Burstimo]

Gaming music is extremely popular at the moment, great route to go down

[@seeliesounds1572]

Well, I made this one yesterday and the first 3 tracks are mine and my friends' xD Hope it does good

[@prontohoopz]

I’m with united masters and I’m subscribed to them is that okay ?

[@mellomusique]

Good Stuff

[@SatyajitKhairnar]

QUESTION: do i have to register the label? or can i just create one and sign an email contract and i'm free to put my label name in Distrokid's 'label name'' field?

[@mvandell]

Yes you are 🙏 good luck!!

[@helchapoglobal923]

I just registered my company what’s the second step to take

[@jahdelly]

i like your saying

Are there any European websites like law depot?

[@thelabelmachine]

Hey guys - you are normally on point but you have an error in the video. The label royalties you state are incorrect. Majors take about 75-80% of royalties, and most indies take 50%. Are you sure you got the label / artist royalty split the right way round? Here is money flow with examples futureofmusic.org/sites/default/files/FMCmoneyflow.pdf

[@Nzambi237]

What do you think of Ditto distribution?

[@alantiscareno]

Great advise! I am still a bit confused on digital distribution as a label. Do I have to create my account and upload their music or they have their own account and upload on their own.

[@xpelVFX]

what age do you have to be to start one?

[@rickysu5219]

How is symphonic distribution?

[@andrezmachado7311]

great

[@billlewis2211]

Hey Alex How do I contact Spotify about a label platform? I've released Darren Smith and I don't have access as a label.... just through his artist platform. Thanks

[@quad-coremusic2374]

In Spotify it is not possible to do that but your distributor would have to give you the same data as Spotify in your record label.

[@miasharratt2198]

Can you please do a video on being an independent artist and "signing yourself" aka being your own record label?

[@Burstimo]

Majority of our videos are about this and how you can market yourself as an independent artist

[@BluePurpleRecords]

Burstimo 😊👏🏻

[@misstony6423]

what about amuse? I'm not going to start a record label I was just curious, but I am planning on using it as an artist.

[@Burstimo]

They're great and free!

[@chibuikeezeobi7850]

Please what about songtradr distribution company

[@dhclive]

5:59 start of video.

[@juniordunkley2751]

My advice is to get signed up by an established Label like def Jam or sony

[@bluefacesirski]

make a video about the contract you give to the artists

[@awalkwithrobinsonwave5144]

is production name considered a recording company?

[@LiamNak]

This video will probably make more money than any *Insert the popular band of the day* will ever make

[@vkcy2703]

Hey man, i have small doubt, anyone please answer this. For instance i sign a record deal and they give me a advance of 30k. And i make a song, but the song only made 20k? What will happen? Do i have to pay the label with my own money or will they take from future songs?

[@kingcarter2165]

Future songs until you pay it off

[@mihndpmr9723]

Do you know is Law Depot UK only?

[@Burstimo]

Nope, all their contracts are international :)

[@Jerimeh]

I'm running into a big issue that i'm sure many record labels have run into at some point in the beginning of their careers. I started a label, and the business side is going well so far, but my issue is that when I approach artist who are unsigned i'm running into a lot of them telling me they only want to stay independent and would never sign to a label because of it's negative reputation. What's your take on this and what should I do? I'm nothing like the other labels and I stand to set my self apart from them as far a the bad business deals are concerned.

[@Shevzon]

What I say is all you work is done and they change their minds

[@moessacrerex479]

Show passion and explain them how working with a label can help them focus on their music rather than bothering with all the business hassle that goes with being independent. If you prove yourself to be honest and doing your part, they won't leave easily.

[@Jerimeh]

Moessacre Rex Thanks so much for the feedback. I’m trying to get the best tips.

[@mvandell]

It's like any relationship.. it has to be mutual.. IE if they are right for you, and you for them, you'll both see it!

[@Jerimeh]

@@mvandell well put, I like that analogy.

[@starhollywood]

Hey can I ask you some direct questions

[@chriswastyping]

Become a record label or a music manager though?

[@Burstimo]

Whatever you aim to be!

[@Lilmoe24]

Music manager

[@f.a.brecords9228]

Lil moe24 💯😆

[@littlesymphony]

Major labels do not take of 30%.. Major labels typically take ~85% of royalties. It's pretty standard for artists signed under one of the big 3 labels to receive anywhere from 10-17%, since they are generally paid an advance in the hundreds of thousands to millions of dollars.

[@ZeLuJ]

That’s a very good idea. But the problem is finance.

[@samuelcampos9438]

How important do you guys think a website is, in the beginning steps?

[@FALL3nGodz]

RESPEXT

[@comealive_]

I started a label and still wouldn’t sign myself

[@flirtdexity]

Why? Not

[@projectb3117]

What you think about the worth of social media?

[@Burstimo]

HIGHLY important!

[@projectb3117]

@@Burstimo How much to invest in facebook ads?...that can be an interesting video. A case study...

[@LK43200]

can I start a record label and sign my self?😁😂😅

[@tommartin6712]

That’s what a lot of artists do

[@kingvillemusic419]

make sure u register all your songs to PRS and get your CAD number

[@lovinsst-louis7056]

After signing myself, I’m going to blow up internationally! Can you mentor me?

[@Burstimo]

Hahaha love it! These videos are mentoring no?

[@archiesaludar]

Actually i have a music but i don't know how to record

[@Burstimo]

You can do it in your bedroom now with so many different software available

[@moessacrerex479]

It has never been easier to produce music from home. Check out tutorials on the internet. Musician on a mission is a channel that helped me a lot to improve my mixes for example but there are many more around.

[@giulianoalessandrodallagat1337]

Do I have to start my own record label if I just want to promote my own music as Macklemore did?

[@Burstimo]

Not at all! All our videos explain how you can release and promote music independelty

[@Lil_Blinga13]

100

[@LapisStone]

Im gonna be honest, I've been running a label and didnt even know it. Ive gotten artists booked in Africa, their songs on the radio, etc. I even have one in talks with a major label for a deal. How do I legitimize this as an actual business???

[@Anare30]

Better get on the same page with your artists and draft a contract if they're down!!

[@LapisStone]

@@Anare30 ugh, thats the only thing I havent done. Thank you for that advice.

[@MISSIONDISTRICTX415]

Is that ghazi from empire records?

[@reys3627]

If i have a record Label will i get Paid through spotify without a distrubutor?

[@spartamuzic]

Bmi / ascap?

[@reys3627]

Spartakos Music im from Germany i want to Start my Own Label because i Want to get paid out Directly through spotify and Not with the distrubutor you have an idea how to do that

[@reys3627]

Spartakos bmi

[@Blackowl44]

No you have to have a distributor. Real record labels have in house distribution platform that’s connected to the digital music stores. That’s were the main chuck of money is.

[@reys3627]

🌍 oh okay is it possible to Launch my own Distribution And do you know how?

[@itsrelativ3967]

It's better to start a publishing company.

[@acebrockton1828]

Whitney Houston got a 6% deal on her first record deal and she was already connected through family. Since when do Record Labels give 90%????

[@48hourrecordsteam45]

Yeah..it’s easy to say ...!!! After spending money to get it set up ,the legit right and legal way.. Music itself ain’t as simple..u make songs and don’t see streams & views that can even make u break even and you keep paying for promotions and everybody that wants to be greased just for doing anything for you .

[@Burstimo]

If money is an issue then starting a label probably isn't right for you right now or you sign larger artists and you can get them because you can add so much value

[@48hourrecordsteam45]

Burstimo so money,should be the reason to stop pursuing your dream ? Smh .

[@djkaya9558]

5:58 Do you believe in life after love? ........ :)))

[@djkaya9558]

and it follows with I can feel something inside me say I really don't think you're strong enough, no hahaha

[@Wstreak91]

Is $50,000 enough to start a label?

[@ankumahnanakwame7886]

Come start a label in Ghana

[@riseupmusicgroup]

You were waaaaay off on how much percentage record labels take 🤦🏾‍♂️

[@SM-ft2jv]

How much do they typically take

[@mauriceforrest2861]

@@SM-ft2jv like 80

[@TIBAbelgium]

so you really believe major labels only take 30%, right? ://

[@HotMusicHMremix]

It would be more like 30% to the artist