Independent record labels come in all sizes and shapes. The labels and artists are often represented by trade associations in their country or region, which in turn are represented by the international trade body, the. Independent, though currently distributes under universal music. With talented singers coming together to do good music, it is only wise that there be a music contract to sign before. In addition to updated information on physical distribution, generating publicity, marketing, and promotion, it also has new information about key issues including. Jan 27, 2019 an independent label, also known as an indie label, is a record label that is independently funded and not connected to one of the big three major labels universal, sony and warner. You are a recording company seeking the exclusive right to record, promote, license and sell an artists music. The lists are organized alphabetically, by genre, by company and by location. As with business plans, this marketing plan will evolve to show more detail and tools to bet. Free record label business plan for raising capital from investors, banks, or grant companies. Independent record labels and producers britannica. If you are interested in purchasing the completed editable ms word and excel documents for this. Records andmoresound angular recording corporation audio antihero audiobulb records audioporn records atp recordings b edit barely breaking even beggars banquet records bella union best before records big scary monsters recording company black crow records blast first bloody chamber music blow up records blue dog records blue room.
This is especially troublesome for an independent record label that may not have a lot of money to spend in court fees or settlements. Our indepth guide to starting, running and developing your own business will help you get up to speed. Label marketing plan below you will find a brief marketing plan devised for record labels who release consistent releases. In his publication titled how to start a record label.
Publisher, as well as a record label and film and production company. Creating a professional, wellwritten business plan is the best place to start when setting up your own independent record label. With good music, grit and an understanding of the internet, anyone can build a core audience of superfans to sustain oneself, or to leverage for deals and get signed to a record label. How to start a record label in south africa bizfluent. A record label, or record company, is a brand or trademark associated with the marketing of music recordings and music videos.
Starting an independent record label with no money sample. An organizational analysis of independent record labels by. In the music industry, opportunities thatare replete with value demonstrated and perceived, obvious and not so obvious, are the ones that are capitalized on by aggressive entrepreneurs, visionaries, middlemen, and. Start and run your own record label, third edition. This is the distribution approach to measuring record label revenues and market share.
Sometimes, a record label is also a publishing company that manages such brands and trademarks, coordinates the production, manufacture, distribution, marketing, promotion, and enforcement of for sound recordings and music videos, while also conducting talent. How do the managements of independent record companies think that their position within the musicrecording industry can be estimated and. You are a group or solo recording artist giving a record label exclusive rights to your music. A successful business is sure to have a plan, and a music label should be no different. Just whiskey is back with a splash in 2020 with the release of their newest ep. Independent record label resources record label financial tips part 1 if you are just beginning your record label business, or if you have not completed some parts of it, you will want to make sure to start spinning the deals in the right direction. Recording and distribution contracts with independent labels. To doing business in the music industry muses muse. This has been written based on our experiences with the plan proving to be successful for a labels growth and development. The more money a label has the more they people they can hire to handle the various responsibilities of a label. Lists of record labels cover record labels, brands or trademarks associated with marketing of music recordings and music videos.
My research constitutes a combination of scholarly studies. Creating a successful record label is a serious business, and should be approached in the same manner as any other. Dec 16, 2019 according to the source, independent music companies accounted for 29 percent of the market in argentina and the independent record label market share was 63 percent in japan. Music industry, record labels, independent artists, business models, artists income. Independent labels and artists won 40% of all awards. Hip hop industry secrets revealed 1introduction putting out your own records and starting your own record label sounds very scary and overwhelming. Record companies known as record labels because albums have a label indicating which company produced it take on a lions share of the work of the music industry. No matter how big your plans or what kind of goals you have, no one is going to start a record label and become as big as artista records overnight. But some bought out the writers share for a few dollars, thereafter taking all the proceeds from both sales and airplay. The increasing value of the independent record labels back although independent labels were generally thought to account for just 20% of the music industries global revenue, a new study has shown that the indie sectors share is actually much bigger, and theres never been a better time to start a record label. Sample record label budget for new recording project. Independent indie record labels have made quite an impact on the music industry in the past several decades. Never revealed secrets of starting an indie record label, jordan johnson expounds on the matter of forming an independent record label for any genre of music. Perfect for independent artists, independent record label owners and more.
The world of music retail is changing fast, with digital distribution bringing new opportunities for independent record labels. A music recording agreement is a specific type of service agreement whereby one entity, the company or record label contracts to produce musical recordings, such as on a complete album, for another entity, the artist. Record labels come in all sizes, from small independent labels run by one or two people to huge corporations made up of hundreds of people in dozens of departments. Indie record labels artists need to submit in 2020 omari mc. How to write a record label business plan free template. The words, sound records, records, phonograph records, andor cdcassettes, as used in this agreement mean any device now or hereafter known by which sound may be recorded for later transmission to listeners which is intended primarily for noncommercial usages as that phrase is understood in the phonograph record industry. Artist agrees to record and re record each selection until a commercially satisfactory master results in companys opinion. In accordance with the rights granted by artist to company herein, company intends to contract with a record distribution company for.
Pdf this paper examines microindependent record companies, mostly set up by musicians according to the do it yourself diy principle. Then, the second chapter will outline a common history of independent record labels, in order to provide a unified vision of their work, despite of subjective. We provide quality guides and tips for independent musicians wishing to learn the music business inside out. The key is to have a strong independent record label structure in place and build connections in the industry. A music agreement contract may either be between an artist and a recording company or a band and its management. The demo recording agreement is a contract used by an independent record company to enter into a contractual agreement with an individual, group or band to record a demo recording so that the label, can determine if it wants to sign the artist to a long term contract. A business plan includes proposed marketing and promotion of your product and also its costing. Whatever the collaboration is, the basic elements of a music agreement contract are the same with any artist collaboration that involves talent, its commercial benefits, and the percentage for everyone involved that need to cash in on the proceeds. Many independent record labels have become successful in reaching and developing niche markets. See all 5 formats and editions hide other formats and editions. Please note that the financials in this complete free business plan are completely fictitious and may not match the text of the business plan below.
Prepare a record label application form, licensing and production agreements, distribution contracts and other documents. Independent record companies in the digital era erasmus. A music recording contract defines the terms of the recording and distribution process. These findings will then be applied to my personal experiences running an independent record label in syracuse, new york as a way to evaluate our own operations. Microindependent record labels in the uk request pdf. Microindependent record labels in the uk article in european journal of cultural studies 102.
How to start a record label business startup jungle. May 01, 2011 in this thesis, i will investigate the work structures and daytoday operational analysis of independent record labels indies from across the united states and uk. It provides contractual assurances to the record label regarding the performance and conduct of the singers, songwriters, band members, during the process of recording and releasing an album. Pdf the indie revolution past, present and future prospects of. How to write a record label business plan sample template. Often individuals assume that the music business is all about the music and fail to develop a plan of action. In these agreements, the artist can be either a single person or a group and the company is usually an organized entity. As a new record label artist, you should also think about whether you will sell physical or downloadable content. Company shall release a commercial product embodying the material contained on the master recordings the records. Accordingly, my definition of an indie echoes the idea of a label not owned by a major music company oesterle 11, while simultaneously. Our aim of starting this business is to work in tandem with both established and upcoming music artist in the united states of america and other countries of the world to help to launch their musical.
In fact, billboard, the best known music industry publication, lists more than 2,000 record companies currently in operation. This way you can add or delete what is needed in each contract you use. If you are already set to start your record label business, and you want to write a good and simple business plan for your business, then this. Dec 16, 2019 key features of independent record labels worldwide 2015 artists renewing contracts with independent music labels worldwide 2017, by country market share of u. The information found here is most applicable to a small, independent record label, though the basic ideas can apply to any record label contract. Creating an independent record label fiu digital commons.
We see even the old taking part in making the music industry success. In accordance with the rights granted by artist to company herein, company intends to contract with a record distribution company for distribution of the recording. The labels and artists are often represented by trade associations in their country or region, which in turn are represented by the international trade body, the worldwide independent network win. This free business plan demonstration purposes only. During the initial period and any subsequent option periods, artist agrees to record for company sufficient masters to comprise a minimum. Pdf microindependent record labels in the uk robert. By using a unique one of a kind adjustable promotional campaign we will be able to take advantage of the constant changes that now occur within the industry on an almost daily basis. Page 5 of 34 publishers abkco records business focus. At first, they were viewed by many artists as a kind of way station on the journey to finally signing up with a major label. For many independent hiphop artists today, the concept of getting involved with a major record label is steadily losing its appeal. Newroz recordings is an independent record label and state of the art recording studio in brooklyn, ny. Make sure you have a good understanding of the music industry in south africa before starting a record label.
Discover simple strategies that will enable you to put together a winning, music industry business plan for your record company quickly and easily. Organization of a record label how record labels work. Your business plan should set realistic goals, address any issues early on, and develop a clear path for the future of your record. So, from independent icons like xl recordings and warp to niche labels like dream catalogue and rising stars like good years and wedidit, here. In the great debate of staying on your independent grind vs. When label bosses discovered that whoever published the song was legally entitled to receive two cents per title on each record sold, they soon became song publishers too. Music recording contract a music recording agreement is a specific type of service agreement whereby one entity, the company or record label contracts to produce musical recordings, such as on a complete album, for another entity, the artist. The independent music sector is booming, with new labels and exciting indie artists springing up across the globe. The large, wellfunded indie labels are organized by departments much like the major label operations described above. How indie artists can set up their own independent record label. They sign, develop, record, promote, publicize and sell music.
Established relationships and affiliations in the industry enable dja to produce its projects over a ninetyday period, for approximately half the typical cost paid by a major label record company. Gone are the days when we used to think that music is only for the young. One way to support aspiring artists is to start your own studio. When i say peoples thing i mean it is for everybody. Start an independent record label paperback march 1, 2005 by j. Owning and running a successful record label is a major ambition for many budding music entrepreneurs. Starting a record label in south africa requires a good understanding of the music industry. Now more than ever, independent creators, artists and labels are empowered. When independents use major labels or major label owned distributors, their market share is claimed by those majors, thus significantly skewing the figures in their. An alternative to seeking a major label recording contract or raising funds to produce your own recording is to approach independent record companies.
Any such contract entered into between company and any such record distribution company shall be subject to the terms of this agreement. Make sure you know your competitors and what music genres are in high demand. Company at such times and places as company directs to record the minimum number of selections provided in exhibit a or more if requested by company. Here is a sample business plan for starting an independent record label business. Familiarize yourself with the most popular music genres. Indie labels range from homebased hobby labels to highly profitable, large businesses. Upon payment, you will get a link to download a zip file that includes a pdf, and doc file of each contract template. Record label business ideas the best thing to do is set up a plan and find out what music genre you wish to work in and if you plan on doing things solo. An independent record label or indie label is a record label that operates without the funding of major record labels.
An independent label, also known as an indie label, is a record label that is independently funded and not connected to one of the big three major labels universal, sony and warner. The independent music sector is booming, with new labels and. Before you read on, you should know that different music labels use different kinds of contracts, and as the financial stakes get higher, the contracts get more complicated. Our goal is to bring you the freshest music todayemerging from the music underground and into the spotlight. Through this site we hope to empower more musicians to make money from their music career independently, and without the help of a record label. Pdf this paper examines microindependent record companies, mostly set up.
In the 1990s, the line between indie labels and major labels began to. Secret east cover sessions just whiskey is back with a splash in 2020 with the release of their newest ep, secret east cover sessions. Our creative powerhouse is home to a talented team of djs, producers, writers, and musicians, as well as the finest analog and digital recording facilities available. An organizational analysis of independent record labels surface. In this context, indie is the abbreviation for independent.
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