Want to become a famous singer, keep
these simple steps in mind and you will
be there in no time.


1. Be determined and persistent. There's
a lot of competition out there -
thousands of people want the fame and
fortune of a successful singing career.
Most successful singers spend years
working on their voices and playing
low-paying gigs before they make it big.
Don't lose sight of your goal, and
resolve to be patient.

2. Conquer your fears. Contrary to what
you might think, a lot of performers
struggle with severe stage fright. If
this is a problem for you, or if you're
too hung up on getting the approval of
others, find ways to confront your fears
and increase your confidence. Sing in
front of others often, whether it's in
the car with friends or on a stage, and
remember that others' opinions of you
are not what's important - what matters
is that you're working toward your
dream.

3. Start with one good song that you
sing great. Once you got that work on
your next best song. Before you know it,
you'll have a whole night covered, a gig
of good stuff.

4. Breathe, breathe deep, more air than
you will possibly ever need to do the
song. Don't run out of breath or power.


5. If you don't write your own songs,
pick good covers. A lot of singers don't
write their own songs, and that's OK.
Particularly when you're first starting
out, you want people to pay more
attention to the quality of your voice
than the quality of your songwriting.
Build up a "set list" of 10 to 15 covers
you know you can really knock out of the
park, and practice getting better at
them.

Choose a good mix of popular and obscure
songs. Just as you don't want to focus
on only Top 40 hits, you also don't want
to be singing only songs that no one
recognizes.


6. Sing in public whenever possible.
Book as many gigs as you can to get your
voice out there - you never know who
will be listening in the audience. Sing
at private parties, county fairs, store
openings, sporting events, talent shows,
karaoke nights, and anywhere else that
will have you, paid or not. Even if you
don't get spotted by a talent agent
right away, you're practicing your stage
presence and getting used to being in
front of a crowd.

7. Start a YouTube channel. Some people
have actually managed to become famous
through posting videos of themselves
singing on YouTube. (See Charice
Pempengco, Austin Mahone, Greyson Chance
and, most importantly, Justin Bieber.)

Remember: the Internet isn't always a
kind place. If you're not sure your
voice is great, it might be wise to hold
off until you have some more training.
You might get accolades online, but you
also might encounter people who are out
to tear you down.

Additionally, it's wise to keep in mind
that the things you post online will, in
a way, live forever. Only post work
you'd be proud to have anyone see, and
that you think you'll still be proud of
in 10 years.

Do not post on YouTube if you're
underage. If you're a minor, ask one of
your parents to help you post content.

8. Become a publicity hound. Eat,
breathe, and sleep attention. Look for
photo ops. Speak up. Swipe up any chance
to shake up the spotlight. Make yourself
known.

9. Network. Be in the places where
successful musicians/producers meet
(clubs, dance halls) and act like you're
part of the industry, even if they don't
know who you are.

Make connections with other musicians.
You never know who might want to
collaborate with you in the future, or
introduce you to an agent. Take the time
to be friendly and interested in the
other person's career.
10. Always show your best. When you're
on-stage or networking with industry
professionals, turn on the charm. Smile
big, answer questions, and sing with
enthusiasm, even if you're feeling
terrible. Part of working in
entertainment is being able to create an
atmosphere of fun and energy, as if
you're flipping a light switch.

Don't pull any diva antics on people who
become your fans. Remember that fans can
propel you from obscurity to fame. Sign
autographs, answer questions, and take
pictures after the show.

11. Learn how to handle criticism. Hey,
it happens - no matter how great you
are, some people just won't like your
voice. Even world-famous singers have
people who dislike them. Only listen to
constructive criticism if it can
actually help you improve your talent;
otherwise, ignore it. Don't get into
arguments or fights regarding your
dreams.