Do you think you possess musical talent and need to share it with the
world? To make it as a rock star, you need to have some business sense,
and you need to be smart. Here are some pointers to lead you down the
road to rock stardom.
Step one: you need to have songs,
preferably original catchy numbers in either rock, pop, jazz, R&B
or funk styles. Record a demo or EP to pass around to your fans,
friends and the right people in the business.
Step two: get
yourself a good business manager/booking agent/publicist. This is key.
This person may be a band member, friend or hired professional who is
extremely business-savvy, an articulate negotiator, and convincing
salesperson. Your music and image is your product and most likely, you
will need to push it out to the public, rather than sit in the garage,
hoping someone will discover you. It wont happen. Get to work.
Step
three: get a lawyer. This may not be necessary until further down the
road after you have a fan base and deal will venues that use contracts.
This is a key step if you are ever offered a record deal with any music
label.
Step four: be nice to your fans. These people are
spending their hard-earned money to support your dream. Answer
questions, take photos, sign autographs, and be gracious. If you are
the surly or shy type, have a more extroverted band member represent
the group.
Step five: be open to publicity. You know the adage
stating that all publicity is good publicity. Talk to fanzine writers,
magazine journalists, newspaper reporters, radio station deejays,
anyone with media access. These people are crucial to penning your
reputation to interest the public. This puts you on the cultural map;
no matter how big or small, bad or good the story is about you.
Step
six: play often. The more often your name is read on flyers and club
schedules, and heard on radio stations, the faster you will travel down
the road to stardom.
Step seven: have a press kit. This is a
simple folder that includes a one-page sheet with band bio, printed
press, show history, and CD for review. You will send your press kit to
venues, radio stations, magazines, anyone and everyone in the music
community who can help you get recognized. Do not bother with cassettes
or VHS videos. CDs, websites, MP3s, and sleek designs rule todays
technology.
Step eight: have a mailing list that all interested
fans can join before, during and after all your shows and from your
website. This list will be proof of your popularity. Guard your list
with your life. Send weekly or monthly updates to everyone on the lists
about gigs and CD release info. People will not forget you if you
remind them of your shenanigans.
Step nine: have merchandise to
sell to your fans. Give away stickers, sell pins, t-shirts, hoodies,
hats, and CDs from your website and at all your shows. This is a great
way to make money, especially if you dont have a multi-million record
deal to feed your hungry soul in the beginning.
Step ten: keep
in touch with all your music contacts, whether they are major music
label moguls, or lowly music interns. You never know who has the key to
unlock the door to the Rock n Roll Hall of Fame.
The most
important advice I can give you is that you genuinely are passionate,
focused, determined, and most of all, live the dream. Be confident,
personable and professional. People love rock stars, especially
good-hearted, positive and happy rock stars. Leave the messy antics to
the wannabes.
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