Wednesday, December 31, 2008

If You Want To Be A Rock n Roll Star, You Need to Play Those Live

By Lori Montana

It doesn't matter what kind of music you play, if you want to make it big in the music world, you can't just dream about it. You have to get off your bottom, and get out there and do whatever it takes to make it happen. You can visualize whatever you want, but until you do something to make it happen, all it is a wish, not a reality.

Believe it not, this is a great time to get starting in the music industry. The old system, where the major labels owned you for better or worse, is on its way out. And according to a quick survey of the staff at MusicMarketingCenter.com, there is no new big thing in music out there. There's plenty of room for something different. And, if your music fits a genre, there's an already established audience for it.

Before you do anything else, find your niche. For this article, we are going to discuss performing live. We will talk about getting you music out there in the virtual world at another time.

Does your music fit into a category? If it does, then that's where you start. Look for venues in your area that support the music you play. Even if it's a place where you get paid by the money that's put in a hat that's passed around, it doesn't matter. You've got to start somewhere. This is the way to create a following in the real world.

That following... your fans is your number one asset. You need to bring whatever you need to create a mailing list. This is the most important thing you can do to nurture your career, and is the subject of quite a few posts at the MusicMarketingCenter.com. Try to get them to sign up right then and there for your mailing list (or fan club). Strike while they are excited about your music... when hearing it live. Bring a computer with an internet connection and let them sign up for your mailing list right there. If you can't do that, at least bring a pad of paper and some pens. Just get that info so you can keep in touch with your fans. The better they get to know you, the more likely they are to tell their friends, and increase your fan base.

You can even make money directly from your list. Make a t-shirt and offer it in an email at a profit. People love to wear a shirt from their favorite band, especially a new band that people don't know about. They feel like they know something special that others don't know, and they are happy to tell anyone how great you are when they ask about the shirt. It will keep those coins coming in in a number of different ways.

At the end of your set, spend some time with the audience. Tell them to sign up for your list at every chance, but also, just chat with them. People love to be noticed by whoever is currently at the center of attention, and after you've just played, that is you! Be nice to them. They will appreciate it and promote you and your music like crazy.

If your music doesn't fit a specific genre, colleges and clubs have always prided themselves on being the first to bring their audiences innovative work.

Be sure to scour the newspapers for audition and open microphone nights. Why not? It's another chance to play and practice your live skills. Tons of famous bands and musicians started out playing on these free nights, even if only one or two songs. Don't ignore the opportunity just because you may think it sounds cheesy.

All in all, you need to just get out there at every opportunity and play your music live. For the fans, there's nothing like hearing a band do their thing right in front of you as part of a crowd. And for you, it's great to get the immediate feedback and admiration from a live audience. Although there are ways to get your music to more people at once, there is no other way to generate the kind of impact that a live show of your music creates. - 15485

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