Dear musicmindedmax-ga;
Thank you for allowing me to answer your interesting question. There
are a few very simples steps to beginning your own record label in the
US:
CHOOSE A NAME ? Every good business needs one
FILE A FICTITIOUS NAME STATEMENT
CHOOSE A FORM OF BUSINESS FOR YOUR LABEL
GET APPROPRIATE BUSINESS LICENSE(S)
OBTAIN A TAX ID NUMBER
OBTAIN APPROPRIATE RETAIL LICENSE AND/OR LOCAL OCCUPATIONAL PERMIT(S)
BINGO! YOU?RE A RECORD LABEL
These are only minimal suggestions of course. On the other hand, there
are a lot of seemingly insignificant details that are actually very
important steps toward doping everything you can to help make sure
your shade-tree record label is successful. Take a look at this
publication and you?ll see a brief synopsis of some of the steps
worthy of concern. I believe I?ve hit the jackpot for you here:
THE COMPLETE GUIDE TO STARTING A RECORD COMPANY
http://www.musicbizacademy.com/bookstore/recordlabel.htm
For your convenience (and a 50% savings) you can actually download
this $45 guide as an e-book for only $24.95 by following this link:
http://www.1automationwiz.com/app/netcart.asp?setCookie=TRUE&MerchantID=48892&ProductID=2346235
This guide offers (among other things perhaps) a most comprehensive
checklist and explanations about how to proceed with your new
recording label:
1. Introduction: a brief background on the independent record
business?asks questions you need to think about and answer honestly to
help you decide what kind of label to build.
2. First Steps: what to look for in a lawyer and accountant?legal
structure?suggested books on music business law?label naming?domain
name and registration?logo and letterhead?UPC bar code.
3. The Business Plan: its purpose?what to include?what should be in
the budget ?numbers? section.
4. Raising Start-up Money: who to approach and how to raise capital.
5. The Art of Acquiring Talent: how to find artists and what to look for.
6. Understanding Artist Agreements: common, and not so common, deal
points ? setting up your artist contracts and understanding the
provisions.
7. An Introduction to Music Publishing: why it?s a good idea to become
a music publisher?what it entails?music publishing rights.
8. Staffing Possibilities: essential staff for small, medium and large
labels with typical ?reporting? diagrams.
9. Setting Up Your Office: space?furniture?office equipment and
services?computers?indispensable software.
10. Planning the First Project: what to look for in a studio?the
producer and engineer?how to budget a recording?includes a sample
recording budget form.
11. Recording the First Project: a look at what happens during the
recording, sequencing, and mastering process?ISRC codes.
12. The Ins and Outs of Pre-Production: what to look for in pressing
and printing plants?role of production and design people?packaging?how
to keep track of all the details?what goes where on a typical
package?manufacturing?inventory matters?mechanical licenses?includes
production charts and calendar?bill of material and photo release
forms.
13. The Lowdown on Distribution: what to look for and what to avoid
when considering distributors, domestic and international?suggested
deal points?production and distribution deals.
14. The Complexities of Marketing: how to construct a marketing plan
and what should be included?marketing budgets?the role of sales, radio
promotion, publicity, artist tours, advertising, video, street teams,
and the web?timing of releases?artist development?the one-sheet.
15. Post-Production Basics: the many tasks to be done after a release
is shipped?SR form?royalty accounting?protecting masters.
16. Follow-up Marketing: staying on top of marketing?artist tours and
in-store performances.
17. Ancillary Income: the many ways to make additional income by
getting the most out of your
efforts?licensing?publishing?non-traditional
retail?compilations?AARC?Sound Exchange?.
18. It?s a Wrap ? planning future releases?crisis management?possible
exit strategy.
19. Recommended Reading: extensive list of some of the best books and
publications on the music industry, and business in general.
There are a number of other helpful sites that cover this very
question. How to do it and precisely what to do depends in large part
on your local and state ordinance and laws, and of course how you want
your business set up (LLC, corporation, etc):
RAPCOINTELPRO
http://www.rapcointelpro.com/Start%20A%20Record%20Label.htm
I?d also recommend that you get some ?Do It Yourself? or ?Self Help?
publications that have been written by people who have already started
their own label or who know the steps to do it:
GET SIGNED
?Books: How to Start A Record Label?
http://www.getsigned.com/page/GMM/CTGY/LABELBKS
GET SIGNED
?Start and Run Your Own Record Label?
http://www.getsigned.com/page/GMM/PROD/RUNLABELBK
I hope you find that my answer exceeds your expectations. If you have
any questions about my research please post a clarification request
prior to rating the answer. Otherwise I welcome your rating and your
final comments and I look forward to working with you again in the
near future. Thank you for bringing your question to us.
Best regards;
Tutuzdad-ga ? Google Answers Researcher
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