How to Start a Record Label in the United Kingdom
Record labels are starting points for budding musicians to fulfill their dreams. A record label provides the means by which customers have the opportunity to hear new talent. Independent record labels tend to operate in particular niche markets, including folk, rock music and other genres. The record label's name, if successful, becomes synonymous with the artists and the types of music it produces. However, it is difficult to set-up and run a financially successful label.
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Things You'll Need
- Studio
- Artists
- Business plan
- Money
- Internet
- Lawyer
- Retail license
- Website
Instructions
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Like any business, money is needed run a new record label. Write a business plan. Detail how much you propose to spend and make in the first year. Work out if you have enough money to survive without added help. Get a grant or loan to cover early expenses. This is almost impossible without having a business plan to take to a lender.
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2
Find locations for your artists to record their material. Compare prices and facilities of local recording studios. Negotiate hard with studio owners. Get a price that covers the studio, equipment and personnel. At least initially, it is unlikely you will have the technical expertise or have the required equipment to operate a recording studio. Consider, too, purchasing equipment and recording your album in a home or office situation.
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3
Set up a business by registering it at Companies House in the United Kingdom. This is a legal requirement for every company. Fill out all the necessary forms. Return the completed forms to Companies House with the appropriate registration fees.
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4
Register your company and artists with Phonographic Performance Limited. Through their on line coding system, catalogue the songs and artists that get released through your label. Also join the British Phonographic Industry. Keep your membership, recording artists and song titles up-to-date, as it's the only way royalties are paid for radio and on line airtime. Make sure the proper codes are applied to each song title, especially while your company is in its infancy. These codes are needed for registering on line airtime and purchases.
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Get your artists and label known inside the industry. Build a website. Book gigs for your bands. Invite music journalists to conduct interviews. Give record shops copies of your artist's work. Send material to specialist music magazines and hope they review it.
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Tips & Warnings
Go onto Companies House website. There are documents to download that provide information about starting a company in the U.K.
U.K. residency is not a requirement for setting up a company in the U.K. However, starting and operating a successful company without being a resident in the U.K. is potentially challenging. Look for document GP01 on the Companies House website for more information.
References
Resources
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