How to Start a Record Lable

01 Introduction Starting a record label isn't as hard as you might think. You make some records, you sell them and you're a label. You don't have to register anything anywhere, get anyone's premission (other than your artists;, obviously) or anything. People have started record labels by accident on the past so it can't be that hard! Remember that, although many some have a relaxed attitude to running a label, real money is changing hands and it is possible to get into trouble if you don't protect yourself. That means getting as much advice as you can and knowing where you stand legally. This section outlines the basics of starting a label and gives a few hints on how to make it profitable. 02 It's a Business OK, it's not like starting a sweet shop but the very basics are the same as any other business. It's hard work and if it all goes wrong it can leave you with huge debts. However, if you're prepared to put in the hours - and some safeguards - there's no reason why it should all end in tears. And at the end of it all, you'll have a record company. 'Nuff said. "One of the best things I was advised about when I set up Fingerlickin' was to plan ahead. I took my one track to a promotion company. The guy said to me 'I think it's good, but I won't do it until you come back with three tracks so I can see what the plot is, I can see where you're going. Then you arrange which order they come out in'. That was brilliant advice, because then I could plan things. Keep looking past the current release and thinking what's next." Justin Rushmore - Head Honcho, Fingerlickin' Records more info here: http://www.bbc.co.uk/radio1/onemusic/distribution/startlabelp01.shtml