How to Get Rich Playing Piano: Part 11 Record Label

Well, so far this series has looked at some of the more modest ways to make money playing piano -now it's time to look for the big cash!!!! That's right! Part 11 here of this How to make money playing piano series: Getting a deal with a record label!!!! Ohhhh yeah! I hope you're lucky enough to accomplish this one, so let's get to it....

Things You'll Need

• Musical talent (sadly, these days: optional)
• The ability to sell yourself
• A good understanding for the music/recording industry
• Promotional marketing skills
• Some free time
• A bit of luck

Instructions

1. First things first, while it's possible to accomplish this without a demo; it's best to have one. So, create a demo disc or album displaying your musical talents.

2. Put your contact information and credits along with the demo or album so that those interested may contact you.

3. Decide on how you want to be identified as an artist or group. Name yourself something that compliments your style!

4. Copyright your music!!!! Copyright your demo!!!! Copyright your lyrics!!!! Copyright everything you can!!!! To learn more about copyrighting go to the website www.copyright.gov. Protecting your intellectual property is essential!!!!

5. Next, look around for any opportunity to perform, distribute or expose your music. Look for music and musician communities, social networking sites, blogs, music review sites, local shows, festivals, radio play, anything you can think of to get your music heard and spoken of.

   Get your music out there.

6. Support your music with clever promotion of yourself or band via merchandise, promotional items, performances with or alongside other musicians -network and connect with others in the industry!!!!

7. After you've done that, look into submitting your demo to record companies and labels. Hopefully, you've created enough buzz around yourself that by the time they get your demo they may have heard of you. While that is sometimes difficult to accomplish, it is not impossible. So, you may consider putting yourself out there for a bit before submitting your demo directly to such companies.

8. Now, while your waiting for response from the record companies/labels; continue to promote yourself as much as you can. Perform where you can. Hopefully your growing reputation will help you climb the ladder, there's a lot of competition out there.

9. Once a record company finally contacts you, do NOT agree or sign anything without proper counsel. Know what you are getting into, for how long, and what a deal may exactly require of you. Allow yourself flexibility and time to negotiate. If you are lucky enough to get offered a deal -that does not mean you should 'take what you can get' or jump all over it, a deal isn't always a good thing. In fact, in some cases (not always, but sometimes) you may have been better off without a label at all. So, keep your cool and play it smart!!!! Good luck!!!!

Tips & Warnings

• Get a demo made as cheaply as possible and sell them or even give them away! The more exposure, the better!

• Be aware of and closely follow your local, county, state, and federal laws before conducting any activity that could be construed as operating a business.