11. Mainstream V Independent

Lanterns on the lake

Advantages of independent label

• There is more freedom for artist(s) , to do what they want as they are not tied down to legal paper work 
• Profits made , are all entitled to you
• A lot of marketing based online due to low budget which is free
• More intimate fan connection

Disadvantages of independent label

• Limited promotional and marketing methods due to low budget
• Harder to get into charts 
• Less profit due to limited funds
• Not as well known
• Smaller target audience

One direction

Advantages of mainstream label

• Can afford high budget music videos
• Variety of promotion methods , eg billboards,adverts etc
• Enables synergy - artist(s) can team up with major companies and create a product
• Invites to exclusive music events and get major magazine spreads
• Pay is usually high
• Publicised quicker 
• Large target audience

Disadvantages of mainstream label 

• You cannot go against the terms of your contract and in comparison to independent labels , mainstream labels have more restriction on their artist(s)
• Mainstream labels are more likely to exploit their artist(s)