How to Get a Record Deal

To get a record deal, you need to prove that you can already attract and grow an audience. Record labels look for artists with professionally produced music, consistent releases, strong fan engagement, and measurable momentum across streaming platforms, social media, and live performances before offering a deal.

The way labels discover artists has changed alongside listener behavior. About 82% of Gen Z and 70% of millennials discover new artists through social media or user-generated video platforms. 84% of songs entering the Billboard Global 200 in 2024 first gained momentum on TikTok, which shows how online engagement drives label attention.

What do record labels look for before signing an artist?

Record labels look for artists who have already shown they can build an audience and sustain a career. Before signing an artist, labels evaluate four key areas of artist development: audience traction, marketability, music quality, and long-term growth potential.

• Audience traction: Consistent streaming growth, monthly listeners, saves, playlist adds, social engagement, and the ability to sell tickets or draw crowds.
  • Around 10,000-50,000 monthly listeners often show meaningful traction.
  • Consistent month-over-month growth is more valuable than a single viral hit.
  • Strong listener-to-follower or save rates show fans are returning, not just sampling your music.

• Marketability: A distinctive sound, clear visual identity, compelling artist story, strong stage presence, and a defined target audience.
• Music and catalog: High-quality songwriting, professional production, replay value, multiple polished releases, and commercial potential for playlists, radio, and sync licensing.
• Work ethic and scalability: Consistent releases, reliable communication, coachability, a clear content strategy, clean rights ownership, and opportunities to grow revenue through streaming, touring, merchandise, publishing, brand partnerships, and sync.

How to get signed to a record label?

To get a record deal, you need to prove you're already building a sustainable music career.

1. Build a professional music catalog

Do not pitch after releasing just one song unless it is already gaining traction, as labels look for consistency.

Before pitching, prepare:

• Two to five professionally written, mixed, and mastered tracks
• One standout track with the strongest audience response
• Consistent artwork and artist branding
• A short artist bio
• A private playlist with unreleased or upcoming music

2. Organize your artist assets and rights

Create a professional Electronic Press Kit (EPK) that includes your bio, press photos, streaming links, social profiles, and audience data.

Confirm:

• Ownership of the master recordings
• Songwriting and publishing credits
• Producer and collaborator agreements
• Sample clearances
• ISRC and UPC
• Publishing splits

3. Build measurable audience traction

Record labels want evidence that people already care about your music. Focus on growing music with distribution, along with:

• Consistent streaming numbers
• Saves, playlist adds, and repeat listeners
• Active engagement across social media
• Fans sharing your music organically
• Ticket sales and live show attendance
• Merchandise, direct fan support, or other revenue streams

4. Target the right record labels

Avoid sending the same demo to every label. Follow each label's official submission process and personalize every pitch.

Look for:

• Artists with a similar sound on their roster
• Recent releases in your genre
• Demo submission guidelines
• Music distribution, playlist, and sync opportunities
• Labels operating in your target markets

5. Network within the music industry

Many record deals begin through relationships rather than cold submissions.

Build connections by:

• Performing live regularly
• Attending music conferences and industry events
• Meeting managers, producers, and Artists and Repertoire (A&R) representatives
• Collaborating with other artists and producers

6. Negotiate from a position of strength

The best record deal is not always the one with the largest advance. A larger advance can mean greater recoupment, longer contract terms, or reduced ownership.

Before signing, review:

• Master ownership
• Royalty rate
• Contract length and territory
• Creative control
• Release commitments
• Marketing obligations
• Recoupment terms

How do record labels find artists?

Record labels discover new artists through streaming analytics, social media, live performances, demo submissions, and trusted industry referrals.

Common discovery routes include:

• Streaming analytics: Labels monitor monthly listeners, streaming growth, playlist adds, repeat listening, and geographic audience trends across platforms like Spotify and Apple Music.
• Social media: TikTok, Instagram, YouTube, and short-form video help labels identify artists generating strong engagement, user-generated content, and viral momentum.
• SoundCloud activity: Reposts, comments, direct fan engagement, and niche community support often highlight emerging artists early.
• Demo submissions: Many labels accept demos through official submission portals, allowing independent artists to pitch music directly to scouting teams.
• Live performances: Local shows, festivals, and music conferences help labels evaluate stage presence, crowd response, and ticket-selling potential.
• Industry referrals: Managers, producers, songwriters, playlist curators, music blogs, and trusted tastemakers often introduce artists to label teams.

How to submit music to labels?

Submit music to a record label with 1-3 professionally mastered tracks, a short personalized pitch, and a private streaming link. Labels are more likely to review music that matches their genre and follows their submission guidelines.

1. Prepare your submission

Before reaching out, make sure you have:

• 1-3 professionally mixed and mastered tracks
• A private SoundCloud, Dropbox, or similar streaming link
• Your strongest released track and one unreleased track, if applicable
• A short artist bio and Electronic Press Kit (EPK)
• Streaming and social media data
• Rights confirmation and contact details

Avoid sending large attachments, full albums, or ZIP files.

2. Find the right labels

Research labels that regularly release music in your genre instead of sending the same demo everywhere. Avoid random DMs unless the label specifically accepts submissions through social media.

Submit through:

• Official demo submission pages
• A&R contact listed on the label website
• Label manager or founder email
• Professional submission platforms
• Warm introductions through managers, producers, lawyers, or collaborators

3. Write a short, personalized pitch

Keep your email concise and relevant. Mention why you're contacting that specific label, include one or two audience metrics, and make it easy to listen to your music.

What happens after a label shows interest?

When a record label shows interest, the process moves from discovery to due diligence and negotiation. Before making an offer, the label reviews your audience, music, rights, and commercial potential to determine whether you're the right fit.

You can expect:

• An introductory call with an Artists and Repertoire (A&R) representative.
• Requests for unreleased music, streaming data, audience insights, and rights information.
• Discussions about the deal structure, including advances, royalties, ownership, and contract terms.
• Contract review and negotiation with an entertainment lawyer before signing.

Keep releasing music and growing your audience throughout the process. Label discussions can take time, and interest does not always result in a signed deal.

What are some record deal red flags to watch for?

While getting signed to a label, look for unclear financial terms, broad rights ownership, long-term control, or contracts that benefit the label more than the artist. Before signing, understand exactly what you are giving up and what the label is required to deliver.

Watch for:

• No release commitment: The label signs you, but is not obligated to release your music.
• High-pressure tactics: You're pushed to sign quickly without enough time for legal review.
• Upfront fees: Legitimate record labels generally invest in artists rather than charging them to sign.
• Low royalty rates: Royalty rates below 15% are generally considered low for many modern recording deals.
• Broad 360 rights: The label takes a share of touring, merchandise, publishing, or brand income without providing meaningful support in those areas.
• Cross-collateralization: Revenue from one successful release is used to recover losses from another.
• Perpetual master ownership: The label owns your masters indefinitely without a clear rights reversion clause.
• Long option periods or no exit clause: The contract gives the label long-term control with no clear way to leave if releases or payments do not happen.
• Hidden deductions: Marketing, video, radio, travel, or other expenses reduce your royalties without a clear explanation.
• No audit rights: You cannot verify royalty statements or accounting records.
• Creative control restrictions: The label can block releases, artwork, or collaborators without clear guidelines.
• Limited roster transparency: The label has little track record or refuses to connect you with current artists on its roster.

Do you need a record deal to succeed?

No. A record deal is no longer essential for building a successful music career. Independent artists can distribute music, grow an audience, monetize streams, and track performance without signing to a label. A record deal is most valuable when you need larger marketing budgets, radio and press support, sync opportunities, tour support, or global promotion.

Before pursuing a label, build your own momentum. SoundCloud helps you distribute music, monetize through Fan-Powered Royalties, and track audience insights, putting you in a stronger position if a record deal opportunity comes along.

Subscribe to Artist Pro and build an audience that gives you leverage in every label conversation.