This page gives you the information you need to sign a recording contract.
This information could be put in a few key sentences or be a huge document,
so I'm starting small and we'll see if you get the point.

Feel free to email in with further suggestions and I'll add them to the page.
Any success stories? You could be featured here.

The Myth of A&R

A & R - artists and repertoire scouts are out there scouring the country to find the best talent.
Record companies take young promising artists and turn them into superstars.
They really care about my artistic ideals - OK so you weren't fooled by that one, but perhaps you hoped it was true.
They should sign me based on my talent alone.
If I just keep doing what I'm doing, they will eventually discover me.

Its a Risky Business

Record Companies do not gamble. In fact many are PLCs and cannot gamble with their investor's money.
Neither will they test the water with a risky new product. They have too much to loose.

Above all else take note of the next point!

Take the Record Company's point of view

If you were to go to a job interview and tell the panel that you needed the money, and that their job would be a good stepping-stone in your career, you would be unlikely to land that job. You would expect to get a job based on what you can offer the company. It's the same in the music business. What can you offer the record label?

Oh, I know, it's music, so they should respect your artistic ideals right? It's called the music business for a reason - sure they operate in the the sphere of music, but it's a business, and businesses exist to make money. Period.
The bottom line is that you have to persuade them that you will make them money!

This page is shame-facedly pro the record companies, and if you can see things from their point of view then you will be in a far better position to get what you want: a record contract.

So - What is a Record Label looking for in an artist?

Market Appeal

• An artist who can command a stage
• An artist who can mesmerize an audience
• An artist who brings something special to their fans

The fans are your customers - so you must think about giving them a great experience.
They are the ones who will be buying your albums, singles, downloads, ringtones, and ancillary products.
They are the ones buying tickets to see you live.

What do you have that most artists do not have?
A unique selling point is one of the fundamentals of marketing and advertising.
It is no less important with your product.

Or are you the next...
It is easier to market someone who can be pidgeonholed.
If you are like some other band this can be helpful if that style is on a breaking wave.
Think how many guitar bands are being signed at present!

What makes you attractive

• Radio Play
• Sales Record
• Buzz around the product

Discipline
An artist who puts in the work
An artist with a performance commitment

The biggest reason that you will not make it, is the lack of time and effort you put in. Once you can play well, have good songs, and book a few gigs - you are only doing half the job. Sure there are a few examples of people who were signed after a record exec happened to walk into their gig. I call this the Lottery approach to getting a record deal. It just won't work for the majority of acts.
Doing the marketing, Web activities, creating a buzz are what makes the difference. If other activities, be they fun or work, are getting in the way you are severly limiting your chances.

Record Labels do not do artist development these days
Talent alone is not enough: They are looking for the complete package
Style, image, stagecraft are all important
Physical appeal is important - It may not be PC, but it is PR!
They are looking for acts who have:
  at least some experience
  built up a fan base
  taken steps to promote themselves

There is some good advice on the Orange Music Awards site.

What steps do you take to get a Record Deal?

Make a Record
The sound quality is not the only priority, but you do want to be heard at your best, right!
(think about handing in an essay hand-written or word processed - you'll get the point.)
Have Decent Packaging - so it doesn't look like it was put together in a bedroom.
Get a Barcode - Barcodes allow shops to add it to their sales systems and allow you to track your sales.
Get it properly licenced through the PRS / MCPS.
Get IRSC codes - These allow you to track radio/TV/web play and to collect royalties, They also allow your recording to enter the charts - should it sell suffiently. You can identify which stations are playing your music and this really gets the attention of record companies. It will affect whether you get a singles deal, an album deal, or a production deal and what kind of money is involved.

Put it out there
In Edinburgh you may want to try Coda Music who do stock local music.
Promotion and Marketing
Exposure - get it played on radio and in clubs
Create a buzz
A sales record is a big plus
Record companies do not like to gamble and do not like testing the water

Publicity Packs
Some Record Companies still expect these
They should contain:
Contact Information
Band Biog
Good quality photos - especially head shots for a solo artist, and shots that show the image of the band and the band playing live.

Networking
All big bands start small. Build up contacts with other bands in your area and use them.
Somebody you know, knows good management, an A & R man for a record label, someone looking for bands to add to a showcase, etc.
In Edinburgh/Glasgow you might want to contact Eclectic Therapy Management.
Use MySpace, UTube, Facebook, Twitter etc.

MySpace and other social networking sites
Record labels actually have people monitoring these sites!
Treat your page as a publicity pack: It should have pictures, audio, events, video content.
Keep your page up-to-date. List all upcoming gigs, and regularly keep in touch with your friends and fans.
Most people have hundreds of friends - and so won't be checking your site regularly unless you give them reason to.
This means regularly adding stuff that people will want to see, and asking them to come see it.
Don't assume a bulletin will be read - actually email all your contacts about upcoming events.

Finally
If you think you can suggest more or better information please let me know.
I hope this helps you to sign that contract with a record company / label.