Useful Tools for Record Labels

Record labels are responsible for a wide range of tasks, ranging from artist development to artist management and music publishing. Those aiming to set up a label need a variety of tools to successfully tackle A&R, trend-tracking, distribution, and marketing. Let’s look into some of the most common tools for record labels!

To set up and maintain a successful label, you need to discover and sign the right artists. Many label owners have industry connections before starting their own ventures, making it common for early signings to come from existing networks. In fact, some labels start out as music collectives and transition into formal record labels over time.

Once a label becomes established, it usually begins to attract submissions. Even so, having a solid network and regularly receiving messages from musicians does not mean labels won’t benefit from using artist discovery tools. Such resources can help them stay up-to-date with trends and discover promising new artists outside the immediate network.

Commonly used tools include platforms like Instagram, TikTok, and streaming services, along with genre-specific sites such as SoundCloud, Beatport, or Traxsource. In this context, streaming services featuring editorial playlists can be particularly useful, as they can help identify up-and-coming artists that may not be widely known.

For labels looking for talent within a specific niche, platforms like last.fm can also be beneficial. By typing in the name of an artist representing the label’s style, labels can find similar yet lesser-known musicians to consider.

Contract management tools can help record labels efficiently handle artist agreements, licensing, and other legal documents. These tools offer features like digital signatures, deadline tracking, and secure storage, helping labels stay organized, reduce errors, and better manage their legal processes.

Examples of such tools include DocuSign for digital signatures, ContractWorks for storing documents, PandaDoc for creating and managing contracts, and Agiloft for contract lifecycle management. These tools assist with legal processes and help labels keep their contracts organized.

To collect royalties whenever their artist’s music is played publicly (for example, on the radio, TV, or in public venues), labels should register with a performance rights organization. PROs track song usage and distribute payments based on how often a track is performed, allowing labels to earn more money.

Examples include ASCAP and BMI in the US, MCSK in Kenya, SACEM in France, and MCSC in China. In Uganda, music rights are commonly handled by UPR, in Germany by GEMA, while in Japan, JASRAC remains the largest PRO. Which one(s) to register with ultimately depends on your location and efforts.

Monitoring industry trends can help labels better understand the state of the industry and what is currently in demand among music enthusiasts. Tools like Chartmetric A&R or Soundcharts provide valuable insight into music trends, playlist placements, and social media engagement. Staying informed on these patterns can help you make strategic decisions on popular music styles and visual trends to align your label with the current zeitgeist. While you do not need to feel pressured to adhere to trends, they can serve as valuable inspiration for marketing, regardless of your label’s unique direction.

Releasing music is a core responsibility of record labels, and to do so effectively, they need to choose the right music distribution service that fits their specific needs. As explained in our recent article, music distribution for labels differs from that for individual artists. When selecting a distributor, labels should consider features like unlimited artist profiles, unlimited uploads, revenue splits, and access to additional tools.

If you're seeking a suggestion, look no further! At iMusician, we have created a music distribution plan designed exclusively for record labels. Our AMPLIFY Pro plan offers unlimited releases, unlimited artist profiles, access to a range of marketing tools, Revenue Splits, and forever online distribution with no additional fees. You can find more information about our plan on our website.

Record labels spend a significant amount of time promoting artists. For their efforts to be successful, they need a range of marketing tools. Labels should start by setting up social media accounts on platforms like Instagram, TikTok, and YouTube. A strong social media presence helps attract new listeners, promote new releases, and keep existing fans engaged. These platforms also offer opportunities for collaborative marketing, drawing attention to the label and its signed artists.

Record labels can also use PR tools to effectively manage their public image and promote their artists. These tools exist to track media coverage, manage and distribute press releases, and engage with journalists or influencers. Finally, email marketing platforms like Mailchimp can help labels build a direct connection with fans, manage newsletters, and run early promotion campaigns effectively.

Although being present on social media is a must, one major drawback is the scattered nature of information. To circumvent this issue, a record label can create a website that combines all relevant details about its history, services, contact information, and its roster of artists and releases. The website should be kept up-to-date and meet modern UX/UI standards while reflecting the label's creativity and character (i.e., a website does not have to be minimalistic just because that particular trend continues to prevail).

Once all basic marketing tools are set up, labels should look into tools for data analytics and (social) media monitoring. Those can include services like Hootsuite or Buffer, which make it easier to manage posts and track interactions across multiple social media accounts.

Social and streaming analytics can help assess where their listeners are located, which artists and songs they prefer, and which platforms perform best. Together, these tools help label owners gain a better understanding of their audience, niche, and public perception.

Besides using social media platforms like Instagram and TikTok, labels typically set up a YouTube channel to further promote their artists. To better manage copyright-related issues, a label should consider obtaining a YouTube Content ID, which tracks how and by whom the music of its artists is used on the platform. This allows the label to either get a video removed, monetize it through ads, or access detailed statistics.

YouTube’s Content ID is typically available to larger copyright holders, such as record labels or music publishers with a significant amount of copyrighted material. While a substantial catalog of original content is usually required for eligibility, there are ways for small labels to circumvent the requirements. For example, some music distributors (including iMusician) offer YouTube Content ID access, regardless of a label’s viewership or reach.

With merchandise, record labels can create custom products like stickers, keychains, t-shirts, and more to boost brand visibility and generate additional income. Those eager to design their own goodies can use Illustrator or Photoshop, which now come with improved features for accurate product visualization.

For printing merch, we recommend looking up which companies in your country produce sustainable shirts and other textile-based products, or which ones ship to your country. Our suggestion: the UK-based sustainable company Teemill (worldwide shipping included).