In a recent survey conducted by ReverbNation and Digital Music News, over 75% of indie artists said that it was one of their goals to get signed to a record label.  The exact percentage varied from genre to genre, including a high of  81% of hip hop artists wanting a deal, and a low of 63% of alternative artists wanting to get signed.

The survey leaves me wanting to know the answer to a critical question: when?

If an artist wants a record deal on day one – fat chance.  If, on the other hand an artist wants a record deal once it has proven itself to be worth the investment of time and resources by a major or independent record label then that is a realistic goal and makes some sense.

If you fall into the former category: wanting a record deal on day one, it seems a bit unrealistic to me and I can only assume: the you (1) have no money of your own to get started, (2) don’t want to pay professionals with knowledge of how to get it done to help out, or (3) you’re just plain lazy and want someone else to do all of the hard work.  If you are in this category – good luck.

If, though, you are wanting a record deal to further your already successful career, then I say absolutely.  This is no different than any start-up business where an entrepreneur puts in years of 80 hour work weeks for little or no pay with the hopes of doing an IPO or getting other financial investment once some success or viability has been shown by the business.

For artists, that means playing for tips in coffee shops and dive bars.  Making a few cheap recordings and giving them away in return for email addresses to grow the fan list. Making some clever but cheap videos to get some attention via YouTube. Going on the road in a broken down Chevy and eating peanut butter and jelly for every meal and sleeping on either the floor of the van or of newly acquired fans.

Record labels today are not doing much, if any, artist development.  That is up to the bands.  Get on the road and grow a fan base.  Make some videos, get on Facebook and Twitter and connect with people who love your music.  Of course, the music has to be good.

Once you have a following, you can start shopping for a deal with the hopes that the label will then put all of its resources behind you and kick you into high gear.  The deal you make will be a deal based on your terms or at least reasonably decent terms because your entertainment lawyer will have some leverage to make you a good deal.

Until then, it takes a lot of hard work and there are no shortcuts.

For further reading, check my article  You Want A Fucking Record Deal?

Todd Murphy is a Music and Entertainment Lawyer based in Jersey City, NJ.  He represents musical artists in all genres such as rock, dance, electronic, pop, hip-hop, punk, new wave, jazz and classical. Click here for Artist Inquiries.