Question about music career...I need some help Please

[tbiddy38]

I sing R&B and I've finished some pretty good songs, and I'm getting great feedback from a lot of unbias people about my music. But to be honest I don't know what my next step should be. I've worked hard for years to get my voice in great shape and to better my song writing skills, but now that my music is up to par I have no idea what I do next. I don't really know what I should do next to succeed in the music industry. Can anyone help, I would greatly appreciate it, thanks.

 

[Noddy301]

just a bump...I wanna see you get helped

 

[mentalattica]

If we knew I'm sure we wouldn't be on a home recording forum. A lot of us have our music up to par so to speak, but the next step varies from person to person.

To take a stab at it I would say get as much exposure as you can, open mic, talent shows, shit stand on the corner with a boombox and do your thing there. At the open mic's or talent shows, GIVE away your CD for free, just because as a newbie to that envoirnment it'll be hard to sell you CD even if you have a great performance, it's also a way to build a fan base. But after a few appearances, start selling your CD at a price that the average person can afford and use your profit to press up more CD's. I can't stress networking, whether it be online, at Guitar Center, at a talent show etc...
Networking is the biggest thing holding me back, I'm not good with people...lol

But there's no secret formula for success, you just gotta try until you can't try anymore, then try some more

 

[MCreel]

To take a stab at it I would say get as much exposure as you can, open mic, talent shows, shit stand on the corner with a boombox and do your thing there.

You won't get much positive attention with a shit stand.

Seriously though, find a band and play gigs. Get good musicians. If you're a good singer then they should flock to you.

Tool got signed to a deal after their third show.

Practice your ass off with your band. Hype up your gigs. Become friends with bands in your area because musicians help each other out. They'll promote you and in turn you help promote them.

When my band started out we built a fan base really quickly for several reasons. One, because we're good musicians. Two, because we later found out from several folks that some other cover bands had been promoting us at THEIR gigs. Needless to say, we like those guys.

Advertise on the web. Build a website and put info about you on there. Social networking does serve some purpose, no matter how much people will tell you its worthless.

If you sell CDs then find some incentive to tie to it, like a t-shirt or something of the sort. Are you near a college campus? Go play gigs there if you can. Get to know the frats and sororities. They have parties and R&B bands would probably be popular at those.

Thats all I got for now.

Promote yourself like crazy man. Here and everywhere else.

 

[mentalattica]

You won't get much positive attention with a shit stand.

Are you crazy? Who can resist a shit stand?

Should've read:
Shit, stand on the corner...

But as stated above, basically the idea is exposure.