Starting An Independant Record Label

[buckshotbinladen]

I'm starting a record label, Zruckc Records. I'm not expecting it to get much further than my state, but it'll distribute my CDs and some electronica stuff by some of my friends.

Anyway. I'm a bit of a business novice... anyone have any advice for me?

[Jeremy]

Yes... buy some books about starting a record label.  It should help.

[buckshotbinladen]

Guess that means I should probably read the damn thing, huh? I have a few of them lying around for no readily apparent reason. I'm not sure where they came from. I'm just going to blame it on the government.

[Benj]

I'm starting a record label, Zruckc Records. I'm not expecting it to get much further than my state, but it'll distribute my CDs and some electronica stuff by some of my friends.

Anyway. I'm a bit of a business novice... anyone have any advice for me?

My advice:

1. Don't expect to make any money.
2. Have fun!

..or..

Starting a "real" record label involves a lot of legitimate, hard work (it's hard enough having a non-real label).  You'll need lots of legal advice / knowledge, a load of capital (an initial investment of money to get you off the ground), and good song material available to legally distribute.  You'll need a method of producing the music (already done in your case), CD duplication services, graphic design and artwork printing, and a deal with a distributor if you want to put your CDs in stores (if you choose the CD route).  Also, people are going to have to actually want to buy your CDs if you want to make it a real business.  Otherwise, just make it a hobby thing, and distribute your stuff for fun.

Good luck!

Benj

[buckshotbinladen]

So far I have all the copyright issues sorted out. I have some friends who can stock various Oregon stores with CDs. I've got the music, I have a CD duplication service, as for graphic design and artwork printing - I'm capable of doing it myself... have in the past... but I have a friend who is much better than I and will probably take on default duties of such on the label. So far I have about 10 people saying they'd buy a copy of the first CD. And most of those people are saying that if it's any good they could get others to purchase CDs as well.

I'm releasing one CD to start with, and from there I will release CDs from some of my other projects or projects that my friends do. I'm involved with a lot of stuff... so material will never be a problem.

The flaw here is money. I'm going to have to build up my funds slowly through small shipments. Won't be too terrible though. I'll invest about $60 on the first shipment of 15 CDs and I'll make 90 bucks on it, selling CDs for a cheap $6 price.

If the first shipment works out alright I'll order a second for some local stores. But, this could be fun... definitely.... even if I fall flat on my face.

I'll keep  people posted on how it works out if there's any interest.

[Benj]

I'll keep  people posted on how it works out if there's any interest.

Please do.  Let us know if you discover any awesome secrets of the industry!  I still have quite a bit of learning to do myself in this field.

Benj

[buckshotbinladen]

Yeah, I'm totally ditching the learning part of this. Hehe. Fuck established rules... I'll just do it how I want to and hope I don't catch any buckshot in the general face area of my body.

[Over13]

Yeah, I'm totally ditching the learning part of this. Hehe. Fuck established rules... I'll just do it how I want to and hope I don't catch any buckshot in the general face area of my body.

Is that legal, Benj?

[buckshotbinladen]

Most likely not. My dad's a lawyer, he's refusing to tell me what to do, but he promised to tell me if I'm verging on doing something illegal.. Hehe.

[Benj]

Yeah, I'm totally ditching the learning part of this. Hehe. Fuck established rules... I'll just do it how I want to and hope I don't catch any buckshot in the general face area of my body.

Is that legal, Benj?

Catching buckshot in the general face area of your body is every American's god-given right!

So, yes.

Launching the buckshot into someone's face, however, is another story.

Benj