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How to Get Signed by a Record Label: What to Do & What to Avoid

Introduction

For many music artists, getting signed to a record label is the dream: connections to top professionals in the industry, financial support, and the moment to put your name out there for millions around the world.

While it isn’t a smooth or quick process for most, many factors completely unrelated to your music contribute to your chances of success.

At TREND, we’ve spent 17 years helping artists navigate the music industry with smart, effective publicity and marketing. We created this guide to help you understand exactly what record labels look for, so you can make informed moves toward getting signed.

Want expert help building your brand and attracting label attention?
TREND offers tailored PR campaigns, playlist pitching, marketing strategy, and social media support to get your music heard and seen.
Let’s make it happen. Contact us today.

TL;DR – How Do I Get Signed to a Record Label?

Getting signed to a record label involves more than just great music. You have to present yourself as a complete package.

While your sound is essential, labels also consider your:

Online presence
Brand identity
Professionalism
Industry network

We’ll dive into the specifics later on in this article.

Benefits of a Record Label for Artists

By offering perks such as financial support, personalized marketing campaigns, professional guidance, and reaching a larger audience, a record label’s primary goal is to maximize your success.

Let’s look at these benefits in detail:

International Exposure and Visibility	Signing with a record label brings major exposure, expanding your fan base through global press coverage, radio play, and media appearances, all powered by the label’s established industry connections.
Financial Support	Labels invest in your success by covering costly expenses like studio time, production, mixing, and mastering, allowing you to focus on the music.
Administrative Work	From manufacturing to digital distribution, labels handle the logistics so your music gets released smoothly and professionally.
Promotional Work	You’ll gain access to professional marketing, including advertising, PR campaigns, and social media strategy to amplify your reach.
Legal Advice	Record labels may also offer legal support to help navigate contracts, rights, and royalty agreements, increasing your revenue potential.
Talent Services	Labels can connect you with top-tier vocalists, songwriters, and music professionals to enhance your projects.

How to Get Discovered by a Record Label

Getting discovered by a record label all comes down to luck and connections. Despite this, there are actionable factors in this process.

One of the most important things is to build a solid foundation that makes you stand out, which includes producing music that is slightly altered from what is currently in the market and developing a visual identity.

You must be able to define your mission, vision, and values. Who are you trying to reach? What traits and characteristics do you want your brand to encapsulate?

To improve your chances of getting signed to a record label:

Find your sound so it reflects who you are as an artist.
Build your online presence through consistent, engaging content on social media. Artists should have an established brand across all large platforms, including Instagram, X, Facebook, and TikTok.

Tip: Make a website if you haven’t already.

Establish an industry network by attending events, collaborating, and connecting with other professionals in music.
Submit your music strategically to A&Rs, managers, and tastemakers who align with your genre and goals. Our A&R team is always looking for new artists to work with on the press side. You can submit your music to us HERE.
Consider working with artist managers who can help you navigate contracts and negotiations. Check out our list of Top Artist Development Companies.
Create a memorable logo that people will recognize sets you apart from other artists.. Selecting a color palette, typography, imagery, and other graphic elements such as icons not only adds personality but also intensifies visual communication.
Having a professional press kit is strongly recommended for independent artists aiming for labels, as it serves as a professional introduction to yourself and a visible sign that you’re ready to work with others. Luckily, we have a guide on How To Create an Artist Press Kit for those who need help.
Invest in professional recording, mixing, and mastering to ensure your music sounds polished and industry-ready. Labels are drawn to artists who are both sonically unique and radio-ready.

Common Mistakes That Hurt Your Chances of Getting Signed

Producing great music isn’t the only factor to pour your effort into. In many cases, artists overlook important qualities that labels look for beyond their artistic abilities, which may hinder their chances of getting deals.

To avoid these mistakes, do so by doing your research, polishing your materials, and building a clear, consistent presence before you reach out. Let’s dive into the specifics:

Lack of research: Sending your music to labels that don’t represent your genre or artist profile shows a lack of understanding and effort. Always research the label’s current roster, aesthetic, and mission to ensure your music is a good fit, and tailor your pitch accordingly.
Sending unfinished demos: Sharing rough or unmastered demos can make you seem unprepared. Only send polished, high-quality tracks that you fully own the rights to, ideally, no more than three songs
Sending applications incorrectly: Many labels have specific rules for how they want submissions sent. Always check their website for instructions before emailing; ignoring these may get your message deleted without review.
Unprofessionalism: Lack of communication, spamming emails, not including full contact details, and missing an introductory paragraph about yourself are examples of behaviors that may stray away from professionalism. Don’t send the same email to all labels, as it may damage your reputation since the music industry is small.
Reaching out without a solid presence: Contacting labels without a solid brand, fanbase, or plan for releasing your music can hurt your chances. Build up your presence first; labels want to see that you’re already making traction on your own.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Let’s go over some common questions on how to sign to a record label:

What’s the Difference Between a Record Deal and a Distribution Deal?

A record deal is an agreement between a label and an artist, where the label provides financial support, marketing & promotion, production, and legal services, in exchange for ownership of the artist’s master recordings, large control of their career path, and a large share of total revenue. Throughout the term of the contract, artists are prohibited from recording with other labels.
On the other hand, a distribution deal is an agreement between an artist and a distributor that solely focuses on getting their music to consumers, both digital and physical. Typically, these deals take an average of 20-30 percent of revenue; however, the artist keeps the ownership of their masters, unlike a record deal.
If you’re looking for support, resources, and connections, a record label may be more fitting. Meanwhile, those who value ownership and control, yet need assistance with distribution, may work best under a distribution deal.

How Long Does It Usually Take to Get Signed?

It can range from a few weeks to several years, depending on various factors. These components include genre & market, high-quality music, experience, and network connections. Some genres tend to be more competitive than others.
Artists who have a strong online presence, a loyal following, and a successful track record have a huge advantage in being signed quickly than those who are just starting. It is essential to keep in mind that getting signed is a complicated process that requires patience and determination.

Do You Need a Manager Before Approaching a Record Label?

While you do not need a manager, it is strongly recommended to have one, as a manager can help you negotiate contracts and handle business affairs.
A few reasons why you should include a manager:

Contract Negotiation: Managers can negotiate deals that protect your rights and secure favorable terms, something many artists overlook when handling deals on their own.
Industry Preference: Some labels prefer negotiating with a representative instead of the artist directly, as it signals professionalism and helps streamline communication.
Connections & Strategy: With the right relationships, a manager can pitch you to the right people, position your brand effectively, and get your music in front of the right eyes.

Conflict Resolution: If issues arise with the label, a manager can act as a mediator and protect your interests without burning bridges.

Do Labels Prefer Solo Artists or Bands?

Labels tend to favor solo artists over bands, primarily in mainstream genres. Solo artists are viewed as more marketable, since the focus is on a single face and personality. This touches on the idea that management is easier for a solo artist than for a band, since the risks of internal conflict, such as bandmate disagreements, creative differences, and even the possibility of breakups, are higher. Additionally, solo artists are generally cheaper to tour and can pump out faster release cycles. While this does not apply to all, some labels cater to niche markets that have a preference for bands, such as metal and rock.

Conclusion

While it may take weeks to several years to finally get signed to a record label, the most important thing to keep in mind is to never lose determination and your passion for music.

It is also vital to do research on which labels best fit your genre, always remain courteous, and understand each label’s custom submission rules. If possible, hire a manager or legal professional to serve as the communication channel between you and the label, ensuring a fair and mutually beneficial relationship with an excellent label.

In addition to high-quality music and good management, you must also build your brand and online presence to catch the attention of these labels.

TREND can help you build your brand and online presence and will be with you every step of the way so that you can accomplish your wildest dreams. Ready to take your next step? Contact us today and let’s get you noticed.