A few years back the main thing that any musicians worth his salt was after online was information about the best way to a recording contract. But nowadays the more savvy musician realises that you don't need the tons of money a big label can provide to make it online . All you really need is great music and the facility to put up an easy internet site and write one or two mails to your fans.

But with that said I still think that there is a thing to be said for the famous labels if they com knocking on your door because they essentially provide funding to hire a selling company to do all of the leg work so that you can chill :- )

Here is my 5 step system for getting a record deal in the present's music business.

Step 1|- Go to your local record shop and look up the bands that you like most and that you think you sound like.

Step 2 - Open up the sleeve and see what label they're signed to.

Step 3 - Get your executive to contact the AR dep. of the label and ask for a scout to come down and watch your show. ( ensure the gig is nice and near to the offices and try and book it on a Thursday night as music folk don't like to go to gigs on the weekend. )

Step 4 - Get a killer set together that will inspire the scout.

Step 5 - If the AR guy likes your gig he'll need to set up a showcase which is usually a private show where the record company big boys will decide if they're prepared to open their wallets.

If all goes well they are going to offer you a preliminary deal and then it's going to be up to your manager to make certain you get what you're worth and a bit of liberty to make the music the way in which you need.

Note i would recommend that you use this technique with 2nd tier record companies initially and then try your hand with he larger boys once you've 1 or 2 singles and a good sales record under you belt.

Most large labels would like to see that you have had some success on your own before taking the chance and offering you a massive advance.

For me the idea of getting a record deal is a big turn off at the moment...

...and that's mainly because I've spent plenty of time learning automated music selling techniques, which means I can just spend a little time making music...

Press 2 buttons...

And hey presto...

....all the selling is done and the new fans pore into my website.

Why pay a recording eighty percent of your CD sales when you can immediately do all the marketing yourself and bypass all of the crap that comes from selling our to please your label.