How to Get Signed to a Record Label

Getting signed to a record label is the dream of many. But because so many people want it, it's a dream that is very hard to come true. If you want to increase your chances of being one of the lucky few then you need to make sure that you have something to offer the labels and have your sound perfected to get signed to a record label.

Difficulty: Challenging

Instructions

1. Make good music. No matter how badly you want a record deal if the music isn't great then you can forget about getting signed to a label. Spend time perfecting your sound and musical skills.

2. Look signable. There is a such thing as having "the look" and you want to make sure when you do get a chance to perform for an A&R rep that you look like someone who can be on MTV, BET or any of the other music channels.

3. Prepare a professional demo package. The Demo package should include a demo CD, a cover letter, a biography, a photograph and if you have them, press clippings.

4. Sell your sound. If you don't fit into the norm of pop, rock, R&B and other standards then you need to be able to convince an A&R rep that your music can be sold commercially.

5. Locate a potential A&R rep that fits the music you're making. To find potential A&R reps look in the "College Music Journal," "The Musicians Atlas" or the "Musicians Guide to Touring and Promoting."

6. Get an A&R rep to listen to you. Now this isn't as easy as it sounds, but to start, you can throw a preview concert where you invite various A&R reps from all the major and independent labels as well as press to hear you play.

7. Prime yourself to accept an offer. If an offer comes along you are going to want to have an entertainment lawyer to look over the contract and a manager to represent you. Start interviewing managers and lawyers if it looks like signing to a record label is just around the corner.