The Foundational Five Steps
1. Write a business plan for your record label.
2. Pick a name for your record label and trademark it.
3. Incorporate your business, preferably in Delaware.
4. Apply for bar codes from the UC Council.
5. Register a domain name and build a web site.

The Next Seven Solid Steps
6. Start signing artists and pressing up records.
7. Hook up with a record distributor.
8. Hire a publicist (or do it yourself).
9. Hire a radio promotions company.
10. Start selling records.
11. Get a good accountant.
12. Pay your artists, on time and in full.

If you plan on selling your music to retail stores and distributors, having a UPC (Universal Product Code) bar code is absolutely essential. In fact, many record stores (including the bigger independent stores) will not carry your product unless you have a UPC bar code. Having a bar code is also necessary if you want to register sales on SoundScan. Getting a UPC bar code is accomplished by becoming a member of the Uniform Code Council (www.uc-council.org) and paying a hefty initial membership fee (approximately $1400). Bar codes are an expensive, but very necessary component of starting a record label.

Go to Step #5: Register a domain name and build a web site.