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personally i would say if u was starting up on your own, you should get some free music/mixes out to get your name about, then once there is a demand for your music people will be willing to pay for it! i wouldnt go and buy a tune if ive never heard it or the artist but if ive been getting free tunes off someone and they then started charging for their music i probly would buy it!

Thats my opinion tho i dont really have much expiriance within the industry!

Good luck tho man!

Adsinthe has been doing his own distro through an ebay shop he set up ---> http://www.myspace.com/adsinthe

His marketing strategy was pure myspace spamming (which works surprisingly!)

£500 to press 500 cds that come in plastic sleeves x £5 per sale =

But I believe his main source of income is his day job....

DIY label essentials (IMHO)

1. Good tunes. This is really key

2. Distribution. Even DIY distro, sell on ebay, amazon, streetcorner style, just have a plan. No one wants a basement full of records.

3. Timing. Remember, hot tunes only stay hot for about 6 months. have a plan to get rid of the first press before the music goes stale.

4. Build your network. Build a repoire with artists who's tunes you want to release, and dj's you want to play your tunes.

5. DON'T BE A PRICK!

FSTZ wrote:DIY label essentials (IMHO)
3. Timing. Remember, hot tunes only stay hot for about 6 months. have a plan to get rid of the first press before the music goes stale.

if even 6 months. If yr paying to have someone else master and press your vinyl (which you most likely are, since it ain't exactly an apartment-friendly activity), you're not going to be in control of the timing. Your project WILL be delayed off the schedule you expect-- so don't start promo'ing something until your product exists!

and yeah-- don't be a prick about it!

its a bitch if you do it diy
don't expect to make much
and always pay your artists first before anything

You need contacts.

Its not WHAT you know, its WHO you know. Thats how the music business works, trust me.

distro is the biggest part of the equation. secure solid distribution, you have a label. dont', and you have a basement full of records.

you need contacts to get music, sure-- but there is a huge world of talent out there.

I want $1000 copies of my own shit tunes!!!