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.

We have reached the point where having a web site for your record label is an absolute necessity. Its like a fax machine -- who doesn't have a fax machine today? As music fans increasingly turn to the Internet first to discover new music, your domain name will become an increasingly valuable company asset. Your web site should have all pertinent contact information for the label, a release schedule, links to artist sites, as well as an email sign-up list. There's plenty of services that register domains, but we recommend sticking with well-established companies such as Network Solutions (www.networksolutions.com) or Register (www.register.com). After establishing your web presence, order some business cards with your web site and e-mail address featured prominently.

Go to Step #6: Start signing artists and pressing up records.