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.

An extremely important marketing tool for any record is the use of a publicist. This assures that the record will be serviced to press in a timely manner, and that all requests for interviews and/or any other promotional materials will be addressed immediately. Independent publicists can charge anywhere from $2,000-$5,000 per project, depending upon the scope of the press campaign. And if you are planning on a medium-sized press servicing (say, 300 individual genre-specific writers and magazines) be sure to budget another $600 for the packaging and shipping.

Go to Step #9: Hire a radio promotions company.