A Few Brief Words of Advice
This is show business.
You must put on a show, but you must also know the business.
Because music is a not a charitable institution, make sure to conduct yourself in a businesslike manner if you want people in the industry to take you seriously.
Come to the table knowing your worth.
What does that mean? Make a name for yourself earning whatever you can get.
Then later you can bargain for a higher wage.
If you or your band is not photogenic, don't put your picture on the front of the CD.
The first impression anyone has of your CD is the cover.
It doesn't instantly start playing all by itself.
If having your photo on the cover is not in you or your bands best interest, go to a local college with a graphic or art department and ask an instructor who they would recommend to design a CD cover.
You can also ask an artistic friend to do this for you. If you hire a professional, it will be very costly.
The best graphic designer I've ever used (and still do!) was discovered at a college art department, and did a much better job than the pros.
Always put on a show.
The latest American Idol winner Taylor Hicks is a great example.
He went to the head of the class because he did more than just sing a song-he put on a show and entertained.
Some of the highest-paid entertainers are not necessarily the ones with hit CDs.
Prince and The Rolling Stones, who haven't been chart-toppers for years, were the highest paid touring acts in the past three years.
Get to know people, don't just use them.
Don't just network to use people-remember their names and who they are as people.
Garth Brooks is famous for remembering people even though he may not have seen them in five years.
Marketing is key, but stay true to who you are.
Marketing is a wonderful tool to get you in the public eye, but make sure the person in the public eye is really you, or you will regret it one day.
Write your own music.
Writers make the most money as far as artists go, with a lot less investment.
If necessary, take courses to teach you how to write a fabulous hook.
You can often find classes at your local college or online.
Additionally, there are writer groups that meet weekly in cities around the country and the world for that matter.
Hook up with one of the meetings and they will help fine tune your skills.
I wish you the best of luck in your musical endeavors. Remember-dreams do come true!
To a better day in every way
Jaci Rae
The Rae of Hope
http://www.jacirae.com
P.S. Christmas is one of my favorite times of the year and so I created a site dedicated to everything Christmas (you can find just about every Christmas Carol there as well!). If you have any friends or family with little ones or you yourself have little ones (or perhaps you are like me, a kid at heart), you will love this site: http://www.christmaswithlove.com. Enjoy!
