Getting discovered and signed by a major label company is the dream for many musical artists. However, there are so many artists and only a few labels. This is why you’ll need to have more than talent and a will to succeed to make it. You’ll have to move strategically and find ways to get your music heard by the right people. It’s much more work than many acts imagine, so you have to be ready to put in the necessary effort if you want to stand a chance. Let’s take a look at a few tips all new artists who want to be discovered should follow.
Don’t Focus on Major Labels Only
First of all, know that you don’t necessarily have to be signed to a major label if you want to have a successful career as a recording artist. Many artists today were able to get popular and make a living without a major record deal. And, being successful with your own label can be a great way to prove your worth and move to a signing deal or partnership later on.
You should also leave the door open to working with an indie label. Indie labels are often a better option for smaller artists and might be more interested in you if you fit with their brand. Since they have less on their plate, they can afford to make you one of their priorities while a major company may sign you but put you on the shelf if they have more important acts to work on. So, think twice about chasing majors and consider all options.
Have a Solid Body of Work
The next thing you’ll have to do is start publishing as much work as you can. To do this, you will first need to find a good studio where you can create professional work at a reasonable price. You will also need to open accounts on sites like SoundCloud and Bandcamp so you can start distributing your music fast and without too many barriers.
Having a solid following on these platforms could be enough for your work to get attention from music executives. We also suggest that you start a YouTube channel and release as much content as you can there. The more content you have out, the more chances you’ll have to be discovered. You could release your own work, but you could also start singing covers. Many artists have been discovered that way, with Justin Bieber being the most famous example.
You don’t even have to release videos of your music. A vlog documenting your journey as an aspiring artist could be a great way to connect with your audience on a personal level. People who are personally invested in your career will be more likely to support you and will often become your most loyal fans, which will hold a lot of weight once labels start evaluating your base.
Work on Your Live Performance
Label companies also want artists with a strong live performance and they might overlook you if you have a bad live presence, even if you have great music. If you’re with a band, you will need to start working on your image and your live shows, and the only way to do this is to constantly practice.
This is why you will need to start looking at rehearsal studios so you can fine-tune your performance. If you’re in Houston, you’re in luck as Houston rehearsal studios are some of the best you’ll find anywhere. If you’re looking for a great rehearsal space in Houston, you should check out Pirate. They have everything you need to practice live shows, such as guitar amps and drum kits, and their setup will give you a chance to know how you’ll actually sound when playing live.
Build Your Social Media Presence
Having a good presence on social media is one of the best ways to be discovered. Instagram, in particular, is a very powerful tool to promote your music and build your brand image. Instagram is so important in this business that some executives will sign acts based on their following alone. And, if you have little to no traction on social media, some labels might see that as a bad sign and be reluctant to invest in you.
This is why you need to work day in and day out to increase your following. You should also consider following some of your favorite artists. Make it a habit to release some of your work from time to time, like snippets of your performances or some of your covers. You never know who could be watching. If they end up on the right person’s feed, this could be enough to open the floodgates for you and get the attention of movers and shakers in the industry.
Network
This business is also very much about who you know, so try to get involved in your scene as much as you can. This could give you the chance to make some important connections that could help you later on. Going to smaller shows could allow you to connect with other artists in your niche that might be slightly bigger than you. They could end up giving you opportunities to like opening for them, or connect you with people who might help.
Having a mentor can also be helpful in this business. This is why you need to get as active in your community. You won’t find a mentor sitting at home, but if someone hears your story and feels they can help, they might be open to mentoring you.
Sometimes, all it takes is to find one person with access to a major label executive to get your music heard, and these people often go to smaller concerts in search of new talent. The more you’re out there, the more chances you’ll get a chance to bump into these people and showcase your talent.Getting discovered by a major label is not impossible and many artists have done it before. It’s hard work, however, and not guaranteed even with talent, so be ready to put the effort in and start your career on your own if you have to.
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Meg is an author at Cinnamon Hollow. She writes on a variety of topics sharing tips and ideas for daily life.