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If you want to be a star, you need to play live. It doesn't matter what kind of music you play, there's nothing like the live experience to build loyalty in your fans. It's time to stop sitting there wishing you were a star, and go out and do the work to become one.

If you want to be a star, you need to play live. It doesn't matter what kind of music you play, there's nothing like the live experience to build loyalty in your fans. It's time to stop sitting there wishing you were a star, and go out and do the work to become one.

The older ways of making it big in the music business have changed more dramatically and faster in the last few years than any previous time in history. With those changes, come plenty of great opportunities. In fact, according to the staff at MusicMarketingCenter.com, there's no 'next big thing' happening, and there's never been a better time to get your start. If you have something new and exciting, the sky's the limit. If your music fits an established genre, then there are already people who are anxious to hear it.

First thing, find what niche your music belongs in. That gives you a starting point of where to look to promote yourself. We'll talk about that and promoting yourself online in future articles. But, for now, let's concentrate on playing live.

If your music already fits into a set category, don't try to reinvent the wheel. Look for places that already cater to the kind of music you play. Take the jobs no matter what they pay. Maybe you'll get a percentage of the door, a set fee, or just wait for quarters to be thrown on the stage. The point is you need to play and start gathering a following.

Every time you play, it is an opportunity to gain new fans and to build your mailing list. You do have a mailing list, don't you? It's the most important thing you can do to help create that important buzz about your music. List building is one of the most popular subjects in posts at the MusicMarketingCenter.com. You'll find plenty of info about it there, but for now, just know that you need to bring at a minimum a pad of paper and some pens so people can give you their email and contact info at every show. Tell them to sign up before, during and after your set. This will become your main fan base, and they will tell others about how great you are.

Who knows... maybe you'll even make a t-shirt and sell it to your list at a profit. What a concept! actually making money from your band with something other than the music! Ever notice people walking around wearing a t-shirt from their favorite band? Ca-ching!!!

Make an announcement at the end of your set to join your mailing list so the audience knows to sign up. Also, put it next to you, because when the set is over you can talk to people and make a connection. Some love to have the recognition of the talented person on the stage talking to them, others do not. These people will just put their information on the page and leave. Remember to thank them. This is not the Punk era and that attitude will only get in your way.

If your music doesn't fit a specific genre, colleges and clubs have always prided themselves on being the first to bring their audiences innovative work.

Be sure to scour the newspapers for audition and open microphone nights. Why not? It's another chance to play and practice your live skills. Tons of famous bands and musicians started out playing on these free nights, even if only one or two songs. Don't ignore the opportunity just because you may think it sounds cheesy.

The point is, if you want to succeed in the music business, you need to be heard. And the best way to be heard is live, in front of an audience. There are plenty of other ways to get your music in the hands of consumers, but nothing else has the impact of a live performance.