Sing in your room, in the shower, in the car, with friends.
Use proper breathing techniques Stay in key while under pressure Clearly enunciate and articulate your words Access a wider vocal range without straining Build your confidence[2] X Research source
If you have the ability to alternate between alto and soprano, use that skill to show off how your talent spans a wide vocal range. Maybe you have a raspy voice and a gritty vocal style that works great for soul music. [3] X Research source Playing an instrument like the guitar or piano can also set you apart and help you stand out.
Sing karaoke at a local spot or join a school or church choir. While these types of performances are “safe” because they are done for fun or with a group for a good cause, they are still a good starting point for putting yourself out there.
You may not get paid when you are first starting out, but you will probably be able to set out a tip jar. If you do get paid for performing, consider it a bonus! No 2 venues, performances, or even songs will be exactly alike. Give yourself opportunities to experience as many different factors as you can. All of these experiences will work to prepare you to be able to give a successful performance no matter what the circumstances. You can’t be shy. Put yourself out there and introduce yourself to the people you want to work with. If there’s a particular band you want to play with, ask if you can come to one of the practices. Using mutual acquaintances can also be helpful in finding venues to perform at and/or people to sing with. These experiences can also help give you a sense of what kind of performances you want to do. You may discover that you would rather sing with a group or a band instead of solo.
Your go-to song should be familiar to most audiences, well-liked, and within your natural vocal range. As you become more experienced, this list will become longer and you will have multiple songs that you can sing perfectly no matter what.
Choose a good mix of current and classic songs. A good way to get a cover noticed is to drastically alter the tone, tempo, or instrumentation of a popular song. Compare the several different versions of “Hallelujah,” or listen to the Civil Wars’ cover of Michael Jackson’s “Billie Jean” for ideas. Don’t worry about royalties for performing cover songs live. Copyright and licensing issues only come into play if you are recording and distributing those songs.
Look for gigs singing at a restaurant or lounge, for weddings or parties, as a backup singer for another group, in a theatre production, or even a talent competition. [5] X Research source
If you opt to have someone write your songs for you, you then have to decide whether to give them credit or contract them as a ghost writer. In general, fans appreciate the honesty.
The more people you know, the more opportunities you create for yourself. By meeting one person, you have the potential to connect with their other connections as well. If there is someone who you want to know, try flattering them. Say something like, “You are an amazing performer. You always look so calm and at ease on stage. How do you do it?”
When planning a vacation, try to go to a city known for music. Travel to places like Nashville, Memphis, NYC, LA, New Orleans, Austin or Las Vegas and mix it up with the local musicians.
Use your manager to help find gigs, plan events, handle money, and make long-term plans. [8] X Research source The standard pay for managers is a 15% commission. However, you may be able to save some money in the early stages of your career by enlisting the help of a supportive and business-minded friend or family member. [9] X Research source The most important thing about finding a manager, is finding one that fits you. Make sure they are trustworthy, personable, and have the skills needed to help you succeed.
You may have personal accounts set up already, but consider making separate accounts—like a Fan Page on Facebook—specifically for your artist profile. If you like to write, consider blogging. It’s a great way for your fans to get a more in-depth look of your journey.
Once you create your channel, share it with your family and friends and on your social media accounts. Ask everyone you know to support you by sharing your link as well.
Give your demo to club DJs, local radio stations, and recording studios and labels.
LANDR, CD Baby, Ditto Music, Record Union, Reverbnation, and iMusician are a few distributors you can look into. Each company has different terms of service and fees, so it’s important that you educate yourself about which service will be the best for you.
You can design and make your own business cards at home or through a local or online print company.
Remember that there are some people who dislike Justin Bieber and Taylor Swift. This dislike doesn’t take away the fact that they are famous and successful.
Feedback that you can actually use will usually come from other singers, your vocal coach, and professionals in the music industry. Be aware that sometimes friends and family can be too nice. They may think you are perfect just the way you are and may not be able to give you real, helpful advice and/or suggestions for improvement.
If you are rejected for a show or during an audition, ask for the reason why. It’s possible that it may not have anything to do with your talent or ability, but rather the look they are aiming for in their show, etc.
If you were told that you weren’t loud enough—sing louder during your practices and training sessions to help strengthen your voice. If you were told that you don’t have a good stage presence—work on your facial expressions and think about incorporating some more movement or adding an instrument while you sing.
