![Should You Sign to a Record Label [UPDATED FOR 2019] @OuterloopGroup](https://i.ytimg.com/vi/1TsKSSU9woE/maxresdefault.jpg)
Uploaded May 2019 | Updated September 2026, 45 minutes ago
Before I can answer the question for you, you need to answer THESE questions for yourself.
Whether you are setting goals or have an offer on the table this is an important question to ask.
Be sure to subscribe, like, and comment on this video. All questions get answered!
And visit outerloopcoaching.com for more on our blog!
What can a record label do for you?
Distribution
Record labels previously monopolized the means of distribution in the music industry. The means of distribution were the ways music could get from the musicians to the fans. Previously, record labels owned or worked with distributors who shipped the physical product the music was on from the record labels or manufacturing facilities to record stores around the world. This physical product was CDs, LPs, cassettes, and so on. This physical product was the ONLY way fans could own the music for themselves so they could hear it when they wanted to hear it. Obviously, in the streaming era, this is no longer true. Are you able to get your music to your fans for them to purchase? (The answer, in case you didn't know, is YES.)
Promotion
Record labels also had a monopoly on commercial radio, limiting opportunities for independent artists to be discovered on radio. This is still fairly true, but radio itself is no longer the primary way fans discover new music. In addition, in a typical music business catch 22, if you can show media you are successful without their help, they'll help you (*smacks head*). This means media is less interested in the record label promoting the music than the number of monthly streams on Spotify, Facebook followers, Instagram followers, and so on. Algorithm-driven Spotify playlists are more influential on new artist discovery than any modern commercial radio station, including Sirius/XM. Are you able to introduce yourself to new fans without a record label? (The answer is yes, but it isn't easy!)
Support
A record label will provide a team of experienced and talented professionals to help promote your release to media, streaming sites, and retail outlets. There is a lot of work to be done before, during, and after an album release rollout. And it's more work than a single, independent musician can take on well alone.In addition, an experienced record label team will leverage existing music industry relationships to create additional opportunities for your career. This is an "x factor" you may never be able to replace. Now, not every record label is the same. Some labels are solo efforts, side hustles for a music fan wanting to support music she loves, and possibly build a career as a modern record label mogul.
Learning who will be working on behalf of the record label to make your shared interests successful is crucial to considering if you should sign to a record label. Smaller record labels can hire third-party help for parts of the team they don't have on staff. Are you able to put together a team of manageable, energized, and ambitious people to support your album release rollout?
Should you sign to a record label?
If the record label provides services you can't source yourself, an agreement fair to both you and to them while incentivizing both to work hard for everyone's benefit, and provides financial resources you need, then yes. You should sign to the record label.
If you have put together the distribution, promotion, and a team of people to help you, maybe not. Maybe not if you don't need the label's financial resources. If you can't come to an agreement you are happy about, you should NOT sign to the record label.
As an unsigned artist, build as many of these components for yourself as you can. Both so you can build your career NOW and so you can negotiate a better deal with an interested record label later. When you don't need a recording contract, you can walk away from a bad contract offer much more easily. And you NEED to be able to walk away in order to negotiate a better deal.
Before I can answer the question for you, you need to answer THESE questions for yourself.
Whether you are setting goals or have an offer on the table this is an important question to ask.
Be sure to subscribe, like, and comment on this video. All questions get answered!
And visit outerloopcoaching.com for more on our blog!
What can a record label do for you?
Distribution
Record labels previously monopolized the means of distribution in the music industry. The means of distribution were the ways music could get from the musicians to the fans. Previously, record labels owned or worked with distributors who shipped the physical product the music was on from the record labels or manufacturing facilities to record stores around the world. This physical product was CDs, LPs, cassettes, and so on. This physical product was the ONLY way fans could own the music for themselves so they could hear it when they wanted to hear it. Obviously, in the streaming era, this is no longer true. Are you able to get your music to your fans for them to purchase? (The answer, in case you didn't know, is YES.)
Promotion
Record labels also had a monopoly on commercial radio, limiting opportunities for independent artists to be discovered on radio. This is still fairly true, but radio itself is no longer the primary way fans discover new music. In addition, in a typical music business catch 22, if you can show media you are successful without their help, they'll help you (*smacks head*). This means media is less interested in the record label promoting the music than the number of monthly streams on Spotify, Facebook followers, Instagram followers, and so on. Algorithm-driven Spotify playlists are more influential on new artist discovery than any modern commercial radio station, including Sirius/XM. Are you able to introduce yourself to new fans without a record label? (The answer is yes, but it isn't easy!)
Support
A record label will provide a team of experienced and talented professionals to help promote your release to media, streaming sites, and retail outlets. There is a lot of work to be done before, during, and after an album release rollout. And it's more work than a single, independent musician can take on well alone.In addition, an experienced record label team will leverage existing music industry relationships to create additional opportunities for your career. This is an "x factor" you may never be able to replace. Now, not every record label is the same. Some labels are solo efforts, side hustles for a music fan wanting to support music she loves, and possibly build a career as a modern record label mogul.
Learning who will be working on behalf of the record label to make your shared interests successful is crucial to considering if you should sign to a record label. Smaller record labels can hire third-party help for parts of the team they don't have on staff. Are you able to put together a team of manageable, energized, and ambitious people to support your album release rollout?
Should you sign to a record label?
If the record label provides services you can't source yourself, an agreement fair to both you and to them while incentivizing both to work hard for everyone's benefit, and provides financial resources you need, then yes. You should sign to the record label.
If you have put together the distribution, promotion, and a team of people to help you, maybe not. Maybe not if you don't need the label's financial resources. If you can't come to an agreement you are happy about, you should NOT sign to the record label.
As an unsigned artist, build as many of these components for yourself as you can. Both so you can build your career NOW and so you can negotiate a better deal with an interested record label later. When you don't need a recording contract, you can walk away from a bad contract offer much more easily. And you NEED to be able to walk away in order to negotiate a better deal.
![Should You Sign to a Record Label [UPDATED FOR 2019]](https://i.ytimg.com/vi/1TsKSSU9woE/mqdefault.jpg "Should You Sign to a Record Label [UPDATED FOR 2019]
Before I can answer the question for you, you need to answer THESE questions for yourself.
Whether you are setting goals or have an offer on the table this is an important question to ask.
Be sure to subscribe, like, and comment on this video. All questions get answered!
And visit http://outerloopcoaching.com for more on our blog!
What can a record label do for you?
Distribution
Record labels previously monopolized the means of distribution in the music industry. The means of distribution were the ways music could get from the musicians to the fans. Previously, record labels owned or worked with distributors who shipped the physical product the music was on from the record labels or manufacturing facilities to record stores around the world. This physical product was CDs, LPs, cassettes, and so on. This physical product was the ONLY way fans could own the music for themselves so they could hear it when they wanted to hear it. Obviously, in the streaming era, this is no longer true. Are you able to get your music to your fans for them to purchase? (The answer, in case you didnt know, is YES.)
Promotion
Record labels also had a monopoly on commercial radio, limiting opportunities for independent artists to be discovered on radio. This is still fairly true, but radio itself is no longer the primary way fans discover new music. In addition, in a typical music business catch 22, if you can show media you are successful without their help, theyll help you (*smacks head*). This means media is less interested in the record label promoting the music than the number of monthly streams on Spotify, Facebook followers, Instagram followers, and so on. Algorithm-driven Spotify playlists are more influential on new artist discovery than any modern commercial radio station, including Sirius/XM. Are you able to introduce yourself to new fans without a record label? (The answer is yes, but it isnt easy!)
Support
A record label will provide a team of experienced and talented professionals to help promote your release to media, streaming sites, and retail outlets. There is a lot of work to be done before, during, and after an album release rollout. And its more work than a single, independent musician can take on well alone.In addition, an experienced record label team will leverage existing music industry relationships to create additional opportunities for your career. This is an x factor you may never be able to replace. Now, not every record label is the same. Some labels are solo efforts, side hustles for a music fan wanting to support music she loves, and possibly build a career as a modern record label mogul.
Learning who will be working on behalf of the record label to make your shared interests successful is crucial to considering if you should sign to a record label. Smaller record labels can hire third-party help for parts of the team they dont have on staff. Are you able to put together a team of manageable, energized, and ambitious people to support your album release rollout?
Should you sign to a record label?
If the record label provides services you cant source yourself, an agreement fair to both you and to them while incentivizing both to work hard for everyones benefit, and provides financial resources you need, then yes. You should sign to the record label.
If you have put together the distribution, promotion, and a team of people to help you, maybe not. Maybe not if you dont need the labels financial resources. If you cant come to an agreement you are happy about, you should NOT sign to the record label.
As an unsigned artist, build as many of these components for yourself as you can. Both so you can build your career NOW and so you can negotiate a better deal with an interested record label later. When you dont need a recording contract, you can walk away from a bad contract offer much more easily. And you NEED to be able to walk away in order to negotiate a better deal.")
