Independent record labels emerged as major labels became more difficult for bands to sign with. Independent labels can range in size from just one or two people to smaller corporate labels. While indies face financial and workload challenges, some have found success by specializing in local or genre music ignored by major labels. The internet also helps indies promote and distribute their artists when retail stores won't carry their products. However, the large amount of work required for all label functions means indies must work harder than major labels to succeed.

1. Music Moguls vs. The Indies
As it became more and more difficult
for bands to get signed by the huge
record labels, independent record
labels began to pop up. Independent
record labels (also known as indies or
garage labels) can be as large as some
of the smaller corporate record
companies or as small as one or two
people. According to Music Biz
Academy, the reason that so few
independent record labels succeed is
due to the sheer amount of money,
work and time it takes to run a record
label.
According to the Record Labels &
Companies Guide, the best way to
succeed in the indie record label game
is to specialize in either local music or
genre music. These are two areas that
the major record companies may
ignore. For example, an independent
label called SubPop succeeded by
promoting local Seattle punk and
grunge music. GoKart Records did the
same thing in New York City. Some
independent labels specialize in certain
Now that you understand the musical genres. Alligator Records only
organization of a record label, you can releases blues albums, while
see how difficult it would be to have to Moonshine Records specializes in
take on the job of A&R, artist electronic dance music. In this way,
development, marketing, publicity and independent labels succeed by
sales with only a few people. The bringing music to consumers that the
larger record companies succeed major record labels don't release.
because they have the money and The Internet has also done a lot to
power to hire many people to do all promote the success of independent
these jobs. At an independent record record labels. If they have trouble
label, it may be the same person who getting retail stores to carry their
discovers the artist or band, calls the product, indies can sell albums over
radio stations about getting airplay the Internet. The Internet has also
and arranges the artist's publicity. been host to a variety of contests for
That is not to say that independent music artists wherein the winner
record labels cannot succeed, it just receives a record contract with an
takes a lot more work. indie.