Getting started in the music industry, labels, etc.

[flash-trance]

If the questions are too general, please let me know, but I'm getting to the point where I want to buckle down on some of my favorite tracks, put them on an EP and send them off to a label. Sounds easy when you read it, but it turns out it's a lot more complicated than I thought.

How does one go about sending music to labels? Are there any labels that accept all kinds of dance music rather than just a narrow slice (like dubstep, drum n bass, trance, etc.)? Do the tracks need to be mastered_to commercial_loudness before sending them? I guess my main question is just where do I start if my plan is to get the help of a label in advertising and doing live shows.

Also, suppose I didn't want to go with a label... what are the best options for self-promotion? Soundcloud is great and all, but it's not exactly the stepping stone before national fame

Any advice or ideas would be greatly appreciated! Thanks.