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.

These are independent companies who will promote your record to radio stations. Most companies tend to specialize in either college or commercial radio promotion. For most independent records, college radio promotion alone is more than adequate. To hire a quality college radio promotion company, expect to pay upwards of $1,500 for a single and $3,000 for an album project.

Go to Step #10: Start selling records.