How to Secure a Major Label Agreement

Talent alone will not guarantee a record deal, and seeking one can be a discouraging and fruitless crusade. There are only a few hundred deals available each year and many of them are snatched by artists moving from one label to another. There is no standard method for obtaining a recording agreement with a major record company, but here are some guidelines. Approach record companies with a "physical package," as an integral element of the presentation, and be familiar with the business practices and marketing philosophy of the record company to which presentation is made.

Instructions

Difficulty: Challenging

Things You’ll Need:

• Cassete Tape or CD
• Good Tape Quality
• Good Performance
• Four Song Maximum
• Song Names and Order Listed on Container
• Lyric Sheets
• Photographs/Videotape
• Biographical Information
• Reviews and/or Itinerary

1. The reality today is that most acts are signed after being released on their own or on a small independant label. Since the advent of "Sound-Scan," which via bar-coding, measures over half the sales of recorded music in the United States, it is now possible for a record company to realize when a local act is hot, or when a "regional breakout" is occuring.
2. The Physical package consists of the artist, the act, a demonstration tape, and additional materials such as lyric sheets, pictures, reviews, biographical information, letters, and invitations. A demonstration tape (demo) is necessary for most acts that have not had a record deal prior to the time of the presentation. A demo, most importantly, must contain music that is unique, creative, and commercial. The majors want music that can sell in large quantities. These days, it's rock and roll, pop, triple A or "AAA," country, R&B, rap, jazz and classical, with the latter two categories being particularly difficult to break into because their market share is so limited. Most executives want to get a million seller. An A & R (Artists and Repetoire) executive who doesn't deliver hot acts that get on the radio will not have a job for long. An important function of A & R executives is talent aquisition, but most are primarily busy with, and responsible for, the talent that is already signed to their label.
3. The artist should keep in mind that the ultimate sale will be to the public, not to a record company. Music executives evaluate music, in large part, on the basis of its sales potential. Record companies are not philanthropic organizations: they are in business to make money, and can only do so with records that have commercial appeal. Besides great music, a demo should have the following characteristics:
4. Cassete Tape or CD
   Cassette tapes work. Today, many artists press and send their own CDs.
5. Good Tape Quality
   The tape should be the best available. Good quality tape will allow the listener to hear the performances clearly. Never send the master tape. Although most demo tapes are eventually returned, delays are common and some are simply lost or forgotten.
6. Good Performance
   Artists must sound as though they are ready to cut tapes of master quality. Although high quality production is not a decisive factor to record companies, the quality of demo tapes has improved measurably, especially with the "MIDI" (Musical Instrument Digital Interface) revolution. Today many acts are recording demos in home studios, which are equipped to simulate the sound quality of commercial 16- and 24-track studios.
7. Four Song Maximum
   Record company personnel that listen to demos are very busy and listen to many in a day's work. Unless it's a CD, don't discourage them with one that has too many selections.
8. Song Names and Order Listed on Container
   The name of each selection and the order of performance should be clearly written or typed on the demo box. Make it easy for listeners to name the songs they like. Include whether Dolby noise reduction is used; and the person to contact about the demo (personal manager, attorney or band leader).
   The other components of the physical package, listed below, can significantly enhance the listener's evaluation, and should accompany the demo.
9. Lyric Sheets
   Lyric sheets involve the listener in the music. While the ears follow the sounds, the eyes follow the words.
10. Photographs/Videotape
    If an artist has a look or image, the record company should know about it. A professional and attractive appearance is a valuable asset in today's music industry. Record companies are increasingly interested in an artist's visual impact due to the MTV (and related channels) and videotape markets, and the growing interrelationship between motion pictures, television, and records. Some recording acts have been signed on the strength of a videotape of a live performance sent in lieu of or in addition to a demo. For an act with significant visual appeal, a videotape, if economically feasible, should be considered.
11. Biographical Information
    A succinct, factual statement of an artist's credentials and background helps to explain the music to the listener and to distinguish the artist from others. The bio is analogous to a resume in other professions: it informs the reader of the qualifications of the applicant.
12. Reviews and /or Itinerary
    Favorable reviews tell the reader that the artist has stage experience and is enjoyable to hear. If the artist can excite an audience of has a following, the record company will want to know about it because live performance is an important method of promoting records. If a number of impressive gigs have been played, or if the artist is regularly working, an itinerary should be enclosed to communicate that the talent is stage-wise and has a source of income.
    By paying attention to the details of the physical package, an aura of professionalism can be projected to the record company by tthe artist, the music, and people that advise and work with him or her. A clever, enticing physical package will merit special attention by it's recipient. With so many contenders vying for a deal,an effort to create an appealing physical package is warranted.

Tips & Warnings

• Be self motivated, after all you are self-employed.
• Don't take the first deal that comes, shop around and compare.