Building A Following

I Believe A Solid Following Is Really The Only Thing Keeping Most Artist Afloat Nowadays. When You Have 100,000 People Willing And Ready To Buy, Listen To, And Pay To Watch Your Music, You've Accomplished What I Consider "The Artist Foundation." Sadly, And Especially In Urban Music Genres, Most Artist Can't Even Fathom The First Thought Of An Understanding Of Marketing, And Promotion. It Really Isn't Difficult, Giving All Of The Opportunities Thrown In Front Of Us (Especially Americans) Everyday. Simple Tools Such As A Computer, The Internet, And A Printer Could Be The Beginning Of Your Music Empire. This Is Just A General Rundown Of What We Do Wrong, My Next Post Will Be More Benefiting.

1. Facebook/Twitter/Youtube "Wannabe's": When On Websites Like These It's Pretty Much Obvious You're What People Call "A Nobody."

Why? Because Obviously They Haven't Heard Of You From Anywhere Else, There's No Reference Between You And Your Potential Supporter.

Solution: Become Apart Of Local, And Internet Contests, And Competitions, Make YOUR NAME Worth Looking Up, So Even If They Haven't Ever Heard Of You, If They Happen To GOOGLE You, There Are A Multitude Of Sites, And Links To Choose From.

2. Random/Unprofessional CD Street Vendors: When Standing In Front Of Your Local Gas Station, Corner Store, Or Bodega, As A Black Man, We All Know What Others Perceive Us As From First Sight. (lol) Seriously, If You Have To Stand Outside Of QuikTrip For The Extra Money, Or Desperation To Be Heard, Always Be Dressed To Impress, Never Know Who Could Be Buying A Pack Of Newports That Day. Second, Have Your Pitch, Plan Of Attack, And Conversation Topics Ready Before-Hand To Ensure A Smooth Transaction Between You And Your Potential Supporter, Also To Ensure A Good First Impression On That Million-Dollar Producer You May Have Just Met By Pump 9.

3. Last But Definitely Not Least, The Random Blank CD That Lands In The Mailbox Of Some Snobby A&R's Desk: Another Traditional Practice Of Musicians I Don't Believe In. Though Many Find It Necessary To Send Off Your Demo Tape To Every Address In The Yellow Pages Of Rock! Make Sure You Deliver Them A Professional Look, With Photos, A Demo And Even A One Page Artist Bio, And Pitch To Your Recipients. REMEMBER: Professionalism Is # 1