Just a few of the very basic things to know about what record companies used to do.

You've recorded the master and now it's time to put it out. You now need to put on your business trousers. From now on, you are the record company. You are promoting a product, and there's nothing wrong with that you've done the work to write and play it, spent the money to record it. Just get it pressed up and sell them on, yes?

NO, not exactly. When your music is played on radio or TV (and you never know when this will happen) it needs to be logged and a royalty paid. If they are your songs, you need to get paid for people to use that song. This brings me to some of the stuff record companies used to do. Not only did they pay an advance royalty, but they used to do all the admin for your music too. This includes memberships of PRS (Performing Rights Society), PPL (Phonographic Performance Limited)etc. They make sure you get what's coming to you (money wise). It does sound a little daunting but it's just a bit of form filling really, and all these societies, in my experience, are very helpful and friendly.

So what do you do next?

First and foremost, you need to get the artwork finished. Make sure you have the correct format the pressing plant needs whether you are doing jewel case with booklet or digipak or plain cardboard sleeve. It's often overlooked that the artwork needs to be done coinciding with the mixing and mastering of your CD. If you can get it checked by a pukka graphic artist who knows about stuff like RGB or CMYK (yeah me neither!)

Next

Form your own record company and join the PPL. When you join you will get an exclusive ISRC code. These codes are embedded into the master disc and when you get a play on radio, it is these codes that log your track so you get playlist registered and eventually paid.

Next

You need to get a barcode. Without a barcode you limit your market, for example Amazon won't sell your CD unless you have a bar code. Also, that barcode will come with a number (EAN for Europe, UPC for America) this too is embedded on the CD, so you need it for final day of mix/master.

I know it's boring, but you're now the record company and without it, as far as the CD market is concerned,

- you don't exist!