What Labels Don’t Tell You (Until It’s Too Late)

Summary

In this video, the host explores insider insights into the music industry, focusing on working with record labels. Covering 15 key points, he discusses topics such as royalty splits, mastering costs, payment timelines, promo budgets, communication delays, exclusivity clauses, and metadata errors. He also explains practical tips for preparing music for labels, securing demos, and navigating industry tools. Despite the challenges, the video highlights benefits like accessing a label’s fanbase, building community with other artists, receiving team support, and opportunities for events and sync placements. This guide equips aspiring musicians with crucial knowledge for making informed decisions about label partnerships.

Takeaways

• 😀 Labels may not always have a significant promotional budget, and can sometimes only place tracks on streaming platforms without further marketing efforts.
• 😀 It's important to check a label's past releases and social media activity to gauge how much they will promote your music before signing.
• 😀 Labels might charge for additional promotional services, like DJ campaigns or playlist pitching, and this could be deducted from your royalties.
• 😀 Communication with labels can be slow, and it's common to wait several weeks or even months for updates or feedback on your music.
• 😀 If you don't hear back from a label within four weeks, it's reasonable to send a follow-up email asking for an update.
• 😀 Labels can sign tracks but then shelf them for various reasons, such as a crowded release schedule or changing label priorities.
• 😀 Metadata mistakes, such as misspellings of your name or song title, can happen but are usually fixable by contacting the label or streaming platforms.
• 😀 Despite the cons, signing with a label allows you to tap into an established fanbase, which can help you grow your own following faster.
• 😀 Labels provide a supportive team environment, where various professionals work to help promote and manage your music career.
• 😀 Being signed to a label often gives you opportunities to attend exclusive events, performances, and networking opportunities with other artists.
• 😀 Labels can help secure sync deals for your music, getting it placed in films, TV shows, or video games, which can be challenging to do independently.

Q & A

What are some common challenges when working with music labels?

Some common challenges include slow communication, lack of promotion budgets, long wait times for song releases, and the possibility of a song being shelved or never released. Additionally, metadata mistakes like misspelling the artist's name can happen, especially when starting out.

Why might a label’s promo budget be tiny or non-existent?

A label may have limited resources or be more focused on signing multiple artists without dedicating significant funds to individual promotions. This often results in minimal marketing efforts like just placing the song on streaming platforms without pushing it further.

How can an artist ensure they choose a label with a proper promotional plan?

To avoid labels with limited promotion, artists should research the label’s past releases, check their social media presence (Instagram, TikTok, YouTube), and see if they have a campaign for DJs or influencers. Labels with good promo usually engage with their artists on platforms beyond just streaming.

What does it mean if a song gets ‘shelved’ by a label?

When a song gets shelved, it means the label may decide not to release it, often due to changes in their release schedule, shifts in their sound, or a loss of interest in the track over time. This can be frustrating for artists who have already signed the track.

What can an artist do if a label is taking too long to release a song?

Artists can be patient, but if it takes more than four weeks without any update, it’s okay to follow up with the label to inquire about the release status.

What are the risks of a label charging for promotion costs?

Some labels charge for promotion, meaning they may cover marketing expenses upfront but recoup those costs through royalty splits. This shifts some of the financial risk onto the artist, which can be problematic if the promotional efforts do not lead to enough revenue.

What’s the impact of slow communication from labels?

Slow communication from labels is often due to their heavy workload. Artists may need to wait weeks or even months for feedback or updates. It’s important for artists to stay patient but also follow up if necessary after a reasonable amount of time has passed.

What benefits does an artist gain by working with a label?

Working with a label can expose an artist to the label's established fanbase, offer networking opportunities with other artists, provide access to a team of professionals supporting the artist's success, and open doors to major events or gigs. Some labels also handle pitching to radio stations and sync deals, saving artists time and money.

What are some of the best moments an artist can experience with a label?

Some of the best moments include playing at the label’s events or gigs, meeting fans, and performing at prestigious venues. These experiences can be career highlights and contribute to building a strong relationship with the label and its community.

What should an artist do to protect themselves from metadata mistakes?

To avoid metadata mistakes, it’s important to double-check details like your name and track title before submitting. If a mistake occurs, you can notify the label or platform, and they’ll typically correct it within a month. Though frustrating, it’s not usually a major issue, and payments should not be affected significantly.