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This month since I am always asked about what it takes to succeed in the US market, I will open it up this column and address what it takes to succeed in any market. First I want to tell you that to succeed in the US market is harder than any market in the world, why because it is the most competative in the world. I have heard so many times in my travels around the world guitar players, bands, and artists say, "If I could only get to the US and release my music, I would have a better chance of success", well take this out of your mind right now because it is not true. It is true that the US market is bigger, but that just means that there are more people here trying to do the same thing that you are trying to do in your respective countries. What then should guitar players, bands, and artist be trying to do? The answer is finding your fan base, and audience in your own country, state, neighborhood. The first thing any artist should do is define who their fan base is, what segement of people are going to like their music, and buy it. Most artists do not really take the time to do this, they think that if they record a CD, put it out without building a fan base, people will mysteriously like it, and buy it. If you are instrumental guitar players you must find all of the people in your neighborhood, state, country somehow that like this kind of music, and this goes for every other genre of music. This is a process that will not happen over night, so for those of you who still think that magically you will become popular over night without spending the time and years of building your fans, then wake up and come to reality. This process takes years of sacrifice, dedication, and commitment, the thing that you as artists should be asking yourself, do I have the ambition to see this through because it is not an easy road and it will take much work. I have heard guitar players and artists, bands all over the world talk about the lack of opportunity exists in their markets, well I hear the same thing here in the US, and the truth of the matter is that you have to create opportunities where their are none! How many of you are willing to go and play for free to expose your music to bigger crowds of people if that opportunity comes your way, because although you may not be getting paid for the performance it is possible to sell your products if people like your music, and merchandise if you have some to sell. There have been many concerts that I have done over the years where I made much more money selling my CD's and merchandise than I got paid for the performance. You must always be thinking of creative ways to get your music to the people who you know will want to hear it and appreciate it. Do not depend on anyone but yourself to build your career, in todays music business record labels both major and independent are looking for bands, and artists who have already taken the step to start their careers, they know that these people are serious, and know that it is a lot of hard work. The internet is a great tool to get your music heard around the world, there is no excuse in these days and times for all serious artists not to connect with people in different countries who like their style of music. In the past few month I have noticed more and more Brazilian artists, guitar players, and bands using myspace.com to sign up for their free page, and I urge everyone of reads this column to do so, once again it is free! Every major record label artist in the US, has a page. All of the major music equipment manufacturers in the US, and others from around the world have pages at myspace.com, why because they are trying to connect with people who still may not know about their equipment, When you sign up at myspace.com, dont let your page stay there without any activity, reach out to different people who like the same music that you like, it is very easy to search for these people and add them as your friends. Remember you are trying to build your fans base, and connect with people everywhere that love the same kind of music that you like. For those of you who are guitar players looking to sell your music all over the world, there are sites where you can do this. Lets start with Brazil and Music Gate Brasil(www.musicgatebrasil.com), in the US Boosweet Records(www.boosweet.com), Guitar9(www.guitarnine.com), CDBaby(www.cdbaby.com), Abstractlogix(www.abstractlogix.com). These are just a few, do your research on the internet and you will find many more resources out there for you to use. If you are willing to put in the time, then you will be on your way to succeeding not only in your own market, but other markets around the world. Once again this is something that you have to be willing to do for you, after all it is your career, take control and take charge of it!
Vernon Neilly