The Main Reasons Why You Probably Don't Have A Record Deal, Yet!
1. Skills: You can get mad and storm off. You can get pissed and
start to cry. You can get angry enough to toss a pitcher of
water in the faces of the audition panelist. But no matter how
heated you may get, nothing will change that fact that you might
not be as talented as you think. All your life your family and
friends have said, "Wow! You're really talented," and it has
started to go to your head. You could very well be the next J-Lo
or Nelly, at least according to your peeps, but if no one
outside of your support network has ever heard of you, you might
be in for a rude awakening. The best way to test your talent is
to let other people critique it for you. Believe me, a perfect
stranger will tell you exactly what others have been afraid to
tell you all your life, you suck! On the other hand, the
opposite may apply. If you got the got skills, strangers will
let you know with enthusiasm. Exposure, exposure, and more
exposure is the key to measuring your talent. Whether it's
rapping or singing, or a little of both, you gotta get out there
and be seen and heard. Take every opportunity to perform, big or
small, and show the musical world what you have to offer. In
addition, I suggest you obtain a written evaluation of your
talent from a reputable music industry professional, and leave
the rest up to luck.
2. Game Plan: Just like a football team has to practice in order
to win, so do you. At the beginning of training camp, as the
players arrive to the first practice, each player is handed a
playbook. This play book is a detailed plan of action to guide
the team to its ultimate goal, success. Your play book doesn't
have to be quite as elaborate as the NFL's, just a simple pencil
and pad will do. The entire concept of a game plan is to map out
where it is you want to be, and how you're gonna get there.
Start with the end product (the goal) and then work your way
backwards. List all of the steps it may take to reach your goal,
then right them down in reverse order. Now, you have created a
map of your game plan, review it and make changes if necessary.
Then fold it up and tuck into your wallet, for easy access, this
way you can constantly remind yourself of were your going and
cross off where you've been.
3. Product: Face it, you wouldn't be too impressive of a plumber
if you didn't own an adjustable wrench, and you certainly
wouldn't be much of a clown without the funny make-up. So what
makes you think you'd even have a snowball's chance in hell of
succeeding in the music business, if didn't have a demo. Very
few people have ever gotten a record deal by bum rushing a
record executive at a night club or mall; even less have gotten
a deal via telepathy. Being that fate is not on your side, get
off the couch, put down the PlayStation and head out to the
nearest recording studio and record a demo. You can usually find
a good recording studio listed in the Yellow Pages, trade
magazines, or on the Internet. Most if not all recording studios
have staff producers that can help you develop your sound. Once
the recording process has been completed, its time to put
together a press kit. Start off by putting three of your best
songs on a CD; make sure that the label has your name, the song
titles, and contact number in plan view. Next, you'll need a
recent photo of yourself, or group, with your contact
information written on the bottom. Lastly, you'll need an artist
biography (resume) that highlights any detailed information
about yourself, including who you are, where you're from, and
where you want to go. Also include any press write-ups or
articles that may showcase your achievements. Once you have
gathered all of these items, stick them into a nice little
package. Make sure your package is professional and unique
enough to set you apart from everyone else.