Can A One-Man Record Label Be Successful?

Music Articles From Galaris.com

Can A One-Man Record Label Be Successful? - By Derek Felton

I know that many of you are one-man record labels. You do it all: write your music, produce your music, engineer your music, promote your albums, and get your own gigs. Whether this is by choice, or out of necessity, I’m here to tell you that you can have success.

Of course, you have to decide what success means to you. Is success moving 15,000 units of your album? Is it playing in at least 5 shows a month? Is it being able to earn enough money through paid gigs to build or upgrade your studio? I have personally witnessed individuals do these things, and more, on their own.

Back in April, I wrote a story featuring Austin, TX-based Crowd Control Records, who, among other things, had sold several thousand albums since the mid-1990’s. The owner, a guy called NickNack, told me how he came to release his albums independently. NickNack mentioned that he pretty much taught himself how to do everything: produce, mix, engineer, master, promote, and DJ. He was the Crowd Control Records staff. Yeah, things could be pretty tough on him sometimes, doing everything himself. But, the freedom and rewards that came out of doing his own thing made it worth it. Not to mention the earning potential of owning all of the rights to your music. That’s not why Nick started the company, though. It was actually formed to give more exposure to other talented local artists. He used his company as a vehicle for hungry, like-minded people to express themselves creatively.

During my discussion with NickNack, he expressed to me the desire to partner with others as long as they were as serious, focused, and dedicated as him. It takes heart, desire, and focus to produce and promote an album with a group. It’s going to take even more of those elements to do it on your own. Remember, you don’t have the luxury of other people performing assigned tasks or motivating you.

There are going to be many days where you may doubt that you can continue by yourself. There are lots of days when I doubt I can continue within my group. It’s during these moments where you can either succumb to the doubt and wither away like a dried up leaf or you can dig in your heels and push forward a little more. It’s totally up to you. Sometimes that little push gets you over the hump and you’re rewarded just when you were about to give up.

Get focused NOW! I know how challenging it is to go out and try to sell CD’s and promote yourself. I know how it feels to be rejected over and over again. I also know what it’s like to feel like you’ve put your all into something, only to have it disappoint you. But you chose to be an independent artist. Think back to all of the reasons you did it in the beginning. You might find that you have lost sight of your goals.
One of the most valuable lessons I've learned is to set and achieve short-term goals. This not only gets you to your ultimate goal, but gives you the confidence and momentum you need to get there.

Keep these three things in mind when you're frustrated, ready to quit, or when no one is buying your music: Push a little bit harder, stay focused, and set and achieve short-term goals.

Derek Felton is the founder of Chicago-based Victory Marketing Group, a multi-media company which specializes in event promotion, artist management, and guerilla marketing. He is also the author of the e-book, Coming of Age: A Music Success Story; Vol. 1. Visit Derek at www.victorymarketinggroup.com.

Back to articles index
Home