Finding a record deal is the dream for many bands and solo artists. It means that you have backing for your finances and publicity, and the simple fact that somebody believes in you enough to sign you is a great confidence boost. Finding that elusive record deal is no mean feat though, so here are some of the things you can do to help you along the way:

• Make sure your music is heard. You need to promote yourself to get noticed initially, and before you have a record label behind you, it’s essential that you learn to do this for yourself. Find local gigs that you can play and offer to do performances at small festivals and events.
• Get experience performing live. If you want to succeed in the competitive world of music, you need to make sure you are an excellent live performer. If you get a little bit nervous on stage, the only real way to overcome this is practice. Perform to as many people as you can to get used to the situation and to develop your stage presence.
• Be confident in your sounds. Every band develops – of course they do. If you like the music you’re making now though, you need to be able to tell the world about it. Unless you’re willing to back yourself and indulge in a little bit of shameless self promotion, you’re not going to get the results you want.
• Be persistent. Contact records labels, enter competitions, send your music in to radio stations… and then do it all over again. Success in the music industry probably won’t just fall in your lap. You’re going to have to tell people about your music – probably more than once.

There is never any guarantee of success in the music industry and there will always be a degree of luck. There’s a lot to be said for being in the right place at the right time but there’s also a lot to be said for passion, talent, grit and determination. Working hard on your music is much more likely to land you that coveted record deal.

Playing an instrument can be great fun, but it’s most fun when you are able to play in a group with other people. Lots of people who play an instrument now decide to start a band and it’s a popular hobby. If you’re good, you could even end up making some money out of it. We have put together some tips for music lovers who are looking to start their own band:

• Use social media to help you. Put the word out that you are seeking band members and let people know about you as a player. You might want to find some forums or pages that relate to your local area so you can start interacting with the right kind of people.
• Make sure you practice regularly. Once you are in a band, you will need to stay ahead of the game. Practice on a regular basis so that you keep you hand in and your muscle memory remains good.
• Look for notice boards where you can advertise for other band members. You can try places like music schools and your local music shop.
• Make sure you have a varied repertoire. This is especially important if you want to play gigs where you’ll be getting paid. Raise your popularity and increase your chance of getting hired by having lots of different musical styles at your finger tips.