If you’re in the music business with dreams of stardom, you’re probably aiming to get signed by a major label. Of course, the competition is fierce!

Getting signed isn’t just about catchy tunes and passionate fans. You have to find ways to stand out from the rest if you’re going to get noticed by the big guys!

Four Things That Get Indie Musicians Noticed In The Music Business

Collaborate.

Even though we can all produce albums in our basements, it doesn’t mean that’s all we have to do. Become more active in your local music scene, not just as a performer, but as a participant. Start actively pitching in on shared projects if you haven’t already, or take on the role as the organizer and coordinate a music festival for your city.

Cut tracks with other bands. Seriously, it’s great for promotion and if you find another act that clicks with yours, that means more fans for the both of you. There is a reason that so many top-selling tracks have the pseudoword “feat” in their titles – the music business understands how well it works.

Be more than just a self-promoter, to help build your local musical community. Then everyone wins, yourself included.

Do more social media.

This one can not be overlooked: social media is your #1 promotional tool, and it’s free to boot. In terms of payoff for time invested, the only other alternative that you could be doing is to keep practicing and getting better.

Regardless if you understand how to use social media or not, you could probably be doing more. Find new activities for your fans on Facebook and Twitter. Look to expand into new services – LinkedIn is great for making contacts for things such as cheap roadies or when looking for a new Producer or Manager. Start posting pictures to Pinterest as well.

Get noticed!

Keep practicing and getting better.

Sorry, but this one had to be mentioned. (Again.) The successors are the people who put extensive hours into evolving and improving. There’s no way around this one: Anyone that claims they can make you a star can only get you so far until you put in the work to improve your musical talent.

Besides, the fans – the one’s who’ve been there from the start – will notice and appreciate it. They’re the ones you have to keep impressing, release after release, if you’re going to have a long and successful career.

Ask yourself, “Do I want to be signed?”

Hey, this is the real question these days. Big name-backing isn’t a pre-requisite for success in the music business any more. Neither is little name backing, for that matter. It’s entirely possible to be a 100% solo act, selling music over the Internet and at shows, and become a success.

Plus, it would mean 100% rights to your music, and no advances to pay back.

On the other hand, it’s also means a long and hard road. You won’t have access to high-quality production facilities, and trained expertise will be harder to come by. If finding a quick route to stardom is your goal, big-name support is what you should be looking for. Just remember you’ll be taking on several responsibilities that you may not like.

On the contrary, there’s always the Reznor Maneuver: That’s the one where you get signed just long enough to score a couple radio hits, then buy yourself out and go indie, while riding the wave you just created. It’s an awesome trick, if you can pull it off.

What do you think?