Ready...set...go!
People that are born to be musicians are rare. People that are born to be brand professionals are even rarer. It takes a little time to find a niche and a person who is meant to fit into it.
The good news is that this means we can get better at our craft and learn how to be professional about our singing.
You need to be exposed to different audiences, and different music genres.
Whether you are trying to get into mainstream, indie, or any type of musical genre you need to be exposed to as much as possible.
The best form of exposure these days is through online media—blogs, social media, playlists, etc.
If you need help getting social media, consider using Promo Panda, we are a PR company that finds high quality and high ranking blogs to feature up and coming artists.
It is imperative that you have an online presence. Whether it is on YouTube, Soundcloud, Facebook, Twitter, Tumblr or Instagram you need to have an online presence.
It doesn't matter whether it's YouTube or Soundcloud, or even if it's your website, having a presence on the internet is imperative. Having a presence online is imperative.
Gaining a following is a big part of the process. It's not easy to gain a following, and you need to know what makes a big fan base. You need to know what's important to them, and how to tailor what you do for their entertainment.
Now if you haven't decided what your brand is, it is imperative that you create one as soon as possible. Once you have a name for it then you will be able to market it better.
If you have a schedule then you will be able to prioritize what you are going to do and when.
You should be sure to schedule at least 1 gig a month. If you are looking for even more exposure then you should be sure to get 2 gigs per month.
You also need to be posting on social media and creating an inviting atmosphere every day (or every other day, please don't spam!)
Last but not least, you should schedule a time to work on your music. Make sure you are scheduling time with a producer or your band to make music all the time. If you are releasing singles do so every couple of months. If you are releasing an album make sure to do so once a year.
Some of the greatest musicians and singers have a way of connecting with their audience on a human level. It's not always about how good of a singer you are, but how good of a person you are. Having a natural, open, and transparent connection with your fans will gain you a fan base that is loyal and will stay with you.
The greats are the ones who are willing to do whatever it takes to get the job done. Sometimes that means going above and beyond the call of duty. If you can find a cause that is near and dear to your heart, don't turn it down. For instance, some of the greatest musicians like Bob Dylan are ambassadors for the anti-war movement.
Many people may find it hard to get behind an artist who is not willing to speak up for a social issue.
The audience will often choose to listen to the popular artist because he is a persona that they are familiar with. Just because your social issue may not be considered a popular one does not mean you should turn it down. Don't allow yourself to be seen as a sellout, but rather a leader.
If you are truly going to make it in the music business, you are going to have to write and produce quality content. The quality content could be music, lyrics, beats, and more. Having a variety of content allows you to connect with your audience on a deeper level.
Your content could have some big-name celebrities such as Ludacris or Snoop Dogg feature on it. Some people love it when it has a heavy political message. As well, your content could be a song about your daily struggles.
Songs about experiences in your life can connect with your audience on a personal level. If you grew up in the hood, or in a troubled household, your songs will be able to relate with the people who did.
You can have the best song in the world, but if you don't have the stage presence to match it, your song is only as good as your mic is. Your fans will feel it, and they will start to come back for more. Don't forget to have fun while you are on stage. If your attitude is right, people will think of you as a positive role model.
They will want to listen to your songs even more when they hear that you were one who really had fun on stage.
