Major Record labels, deals, contracts and music marketing at A&R Online

Frequently Asked Questions

I am a solo singer looking to be discovered, please can you help me?

There seem to be two types of artists. 1) Solo singers who don't write songs, yet looking to be discovered and 2) artists, including singer songwriters and bands, who either want to get signed or want to somehow forge a career on their own. There is a third sect which is extremely rare, and that is; singers, songwriters, bands etc, who are not waiting to be 'discovered', but see the long term big picture and want to figure out how they can forge a real career that has longevity, whether an external machine steps in to help them or not. This last group will be the small select group of entrepreneurs that will succeed in today's transitioning music business. However, a great deal of work needs to be done and it is not for everyone. This may be why YOU have chosen to be 'discovered'. You are playing the American Idol lottery game.

Now that is not to say that it is not possible to win American Idol. It may even be a remote possibility that you could meet some big shot music producer guy that thinks you have 'it' and wants to invest a lot of time and money into recording and producing you in his studio with the hopes of presenting you to a label and a possible record deal. Chances are slim, but these things are possible.

The point is, I'm not here to discover you. You are going to have to do some serious thinking, research and intelligent planning about what your future really is, in a very real sense. To be discovered is rare, and frankly, the old model. These days one has to simply put oneself in a position of strength if one wants to succeed in the category YOU have chosen. So here is what I would suggest:

To be 'discovered', you have to be 'discoverable'. What does this mean? It means that there has to be a darn good reason for a professional in the music business to sit up and take notice. That's about the size of it. Do you know how many wanna-be-stars there out there with good performing skills and above average looks? Thousands upon thousands! So what do you have that these other folks don't have? Why should anyone pay attention to you? Because your Mom says you could be a star? Are you throwing mud at the wall or are you really serious?

If you want my advice, here is what I suggest if you have any sense of reality at all.

The music business takes notice when it 'smells' money, so give them something to smell. And by that I mean this:

1) Be the best, most amazing singer you can possibly be. If you think you are a great singer right now you're probably not. Get better! The competition is fierce and you only get one shot, so don't blow it. Have patience. Know when you are ready and don't be begging to get signed. That is NOT a position of strength. Take some vocal lessons. I strongly advise purchasing this program. This guy is the vocal coach to the stars. He can also be your personal 'virtual' vocal coach. Invest in your future and be the best frickin' singer anywhere in your territory. That is just the start.

2) Learn exactly how the music business works. Buy this book, All You Need To Know About The Music Business. You HAVE to understand the business, if you get this business, people in the business will get you. Trust me.

3) Network with other singers. Network with the music business. When, and only when you are ready, you must meet the right record producer who can take your talent, mold it, record songs with you and present you to the music business. When you are ready, seek these people out. Find out who produces artists you are similar to (look on album liner notes). Google and Facebook are great places to start.

4) Stay on top of current pop trends. Know who's hot, know who's dropped and know exactly where you might fit into the marketplace. Read Billboard online.

5) Get this program - the Indie Artist DIY Smartkit. This will prep you extremely thoroughly for a career in the music business.

6) Good luck!