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Do Music - Not Drugs

Director, Sandra Wheeler

Do You Have What It Takes?
So, you want to be a part of the music industry and you want to know what it takes?

PROFESSIONALISM - Whether you are a performing artist, musician, or songwriter, your first consideration in evaluating your abilities should be, "Am I as good as my competition would be if I already had a major label deal?"

If you ask yourself this question, you will soon realize your limitations. This will help you better evaluate your capabilities. In turn, this will give you the direction you need for improving your professional image.

Major label heads are looking for professionalism. They do not have the time to develop talent from scratch. BE CONSIDERATE! Get your act together and save yourself a lot of embarrassment and discouragement. Be realistic when you approach a major label and you won't be told "No" so many times. Remember that you are asking them to invest money in your talents, so BE PREPARED by being professional.

HUMILITY - You must be willing to start at the beginning. This is accomplished first by becoming a part of the local industry (your own home town).

When you have convinced your local audience that you have talent, then you can move on to outer territories and then greater regions. If you think you are too good to start at "A", then it's likely you won't have the wisdom to get to "B".

Never consider any audience too small or too meager. Always be willing to give yourself completely to any audience no matter how unimportant you think they might be. You never know who is listening or whom they might know. Never underestimate the power of the traveled word.

BE FOCUSED - You cannot know your destination until you make up your mind where you want to go. BE SPECIFIC. Ask yourself, "Where do I want to go and how far am I willing to go?" In other words, will you still have the same desire when the going gets tough or you are told "No."

There are great sacrifices to be made in any challenge. Are you willing to make the necessary ones in order to get where you think you want to be. Be honest with yourself, remain focused and keep your eyes on your goal. DETERMINATION is just as important as talent.

ENDURANCE - Be strong in your endurance. The road to the majors is long, hard, and rocky. The few that make it are the few that endure until the end. That means don't run for shelter at the first sight of rain.

If you can't stand a little rain, you are not going to be able to weather the storms of the industry. Be tough! Learn to accept defeat when necessary by learning to use it as a tool for making you stronger.

Professionals are people who don't allow temporary failures to cripple them. When you are told "No" ask "Why?" Use the information to become better at your craft. Remember, as said before, "You cannot know your true capabilities until you know your limitations."

Learn from your mistakes and keep your eyes on your goal in spite of setbacks. ENDURE to the end. Reaching the major label is a wonderful experience, but remember when you do, you are in a whole new ballgame. You will have to start the training all over again, except this time it will be even tougher - for now you are playing in the "Major Leagues."

By Sandra Wheeler

Helpful Links!

www.record-labels-companies-guide.com
You may find the above website informative.