Should I Get a Record Deal?

You won't be offered a good record deal until you don't need a record deal at all. Unfortunately, that's the name of the game for the immediate future here in 2009.

Unless you're already proving yourself to be profitable and building a large fan base, record labels are not willing to "put you on." They want to partner with professionals who are already "on." There will be plenty of businessmen who think they can profit by fucking you, and they will be happy to offer you a one-sided contract that basically steals your music.

The Real Question

Do you love your music? Is this your life? If so, then you probably want to make a living off it, and that will require work. Start with Audible Hype 101.

Here's a great read from Bruce Warila about looking at your entire operation and getting organized: Are Your Ducks in Order?

Money is frustrating, and that won't change anytime soon. However, there are important steps you can take, right now, to get your online promotions set up right. Here's how: The $0 Promotional Plan.

And finally, for a more complete explanation of the reality behind the Record Deal Dream, here's Bruce Warila again: You Will Never Get a Record Deal.

To Clarify

This means that asking "how to get signed" makes you look stupid. This means that anyone offering you a record deal has figured out a way to fuck you over, and they don't think you'll be smart enough to catch it. This means that pretty much everyone offering to teach you "how to get signed" is selling you bullshit because they know you want to believe it. This means that 50-80% of the "Music Business" books currently in print are obsolete dinosaur garbage.