How To Land Your First Record Deal Like A Boss
There are two types of DJs in this world: ones with record deals and ones struggling to get signed – but in an increasingly competitive market, how do you go about getting the attention you deserve?
As the popularity of social media platforms continues to soar, a large number of industry personnel including booking agents and label recruiters are now searching for their “next big star” online.
This means as an aspiring DJ, you are now able to publish your material to an extensive audience base comprised of fans and record labels – helping open a lot of doors for better opportunities.
But this is easier said than done. With so many artists trying to get noticed these days, it doesn’t matter whether you have more than a million followers or a million likes on your post, what matters is how you market yourself as an artist in order to land the record deal of your dreams.
Here’s a step-by-step breakdown of how successful DJs end up getting signed on to big labels:
- Start with an epic demo: First impressions matter. When you’re trying to get the attention of the CEO of a record label, you must remember that you’re not the only one – chances are they get hounded by thousands of DJs like yourself daily. This is where having a ‘masterpiece’ comes in handy. It’s worth investing your time, effort, and money in a professionally recorded demo so you come across as a serious artist. Send in original content and avoid remixes that can make you lose your edge.
- Be clear about what you want: There are thousands of record deals out there – but not all of them will help your career flourish. Before sending your material anywhere, take the time to research and find out if their targeted audience matches yours. If you’re unsure about where to start, take a peek at music magazines and online platforms to see which labels people are talking about more.
- Build a strong online presence: With more and more agents turning to social media to gauge the popularity of an artist, it helps to have a profile that helps you stand out. Online platforms such as Twitter and Soundcloud can not only help you build a solid following, but they’re also great places for practicing and publishing your material.
- Love your content: When you go after something with your whole heart, it shows. The same is true about your content. Whether online or offline, the minute you start copying someone else’s style of music, you’re risking becoming “just another DJ”. You should focus more on enjoying and playing your own music without having to conform to others’ standards. This is the only way you can truly get noticed by fans and record agents.
- Network: It is true when they say that building a business is all about knowing the right people in the right places. If you’re planning on building your own music empire or signing on to a label, it helps to make connections with industry folks – the people who are more likely to be listening to your music and offering constructive advice.
While it’s easy to set your sights on prestigious record labels from the get-go, take your time to create a strategy that will help you land your first record deal, and make a name for yourself in the music world.
