On any given day, there are hundreds - if not thousands - of singers and bands hustling to get a record deal.
Breaking away from the crowd to get noticed by a label may seem like a daunting, nearly impossible task.
But there are concrete steps you can take to give yourself an advantage.
First and foremost, be professional.
While making music is an artistic endeavor that fulfills your creative needs, selling that music is a business.
If you want to be treated like a professional you need to act like one.
Make the investment to have a quality demo made.
If you are not computer savvy, hire someone to create a web site that engagingly showcases your music.
Likewise, make sure all written material in the package you send out to labels is typo free and grammatically correct.
Use a professionally taken photograph.
Your package is your introduction and first impressions are important.
Generate a buzz.
You need to build a fan base and the best way to do that is to play as many gigs as possible.
While viral marketing over the Internet can be an important tool, nothing can take the place of performing live in front of an audience.
It not only hones your musical skill and your stage presence, it also helps create excitement among your fans and word of mouth is priceless.
Get reviews.
Invite local music critics to your performances and be democratic about it.
Reach out to neighborhood and independent papers as well as major newspapers.
Include positive reviews in your package.
Be original by being yourself.
Don't try to second guess record labels by giving them what you think they want.
Stay true to your own musical vision and style so that your unique talent shines through.
Trust in your talent.
If your first attempts end in rejection, try again in six months with a new demo.
And then six months after that.
During that time between you'll continue to grow as a musician and have much more to offer a label so be persistent.