So Ya Wanna Be A Rock Star

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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