Building your name in the Industry...JayMaggs' Perspective

How to Break-Out & Make Moves into the Commercial Scene

What worked for me?

More than anything, one must be in a position to know what trend they are going for. Decide on what direction you are wanting to take musically because this is a fundamental part of creating your brand as an artist.

Manage your image well and also improve your appearance so that people notice you when they see your picture on the social web. LOOKS!! LOOKS!! LOOKS!! This is key as it will affect your market and the type of following you attract.

Be active on the web, meaning get onto 20sites if you can. Make yourself easily searchable on the internet by google. Try it google yourself, what do you find? Look in order to gain popularity you have to take charge of your own marketing as a whole and media works as a charm. Like who isn't on facebook or twitter? Think about it. Open Fanpages, Social network accounts and the whole 9 yards. Never under-estimate these platforms :)

In 1 year through my facebook, twitter, reverbnation, instagram, youtube i have attracted about 70 dedicated fans overseas that share my stuff constantly and share my music of which America shares my music the most with 20 people on the ground constantly mailing me and giving me advise on how to better my trends.

What Else Apart from Digital

Radio is a very integral part of your growth and i aint talking Yfm, Metro or whatever. Shocking enough these community radio shows actually have a huge follower ship. Most people in the underground scene tune in and the street cred is gained this way.

Like Students are Loyal to their campus radio channels e.g Uj fm, Vow fm. You will find that you will gain a substantial following from these stations at the same time have the students talk about you. Like when they having their lunch or whatever they be like damn saaaan' did you hear that yungen yesterday type thang. Hustle & flow get your music playlisted beacause the only way you will make an impact is if we hear you on a regular basis....Do not Leave your Cd at the reception call the station manager and set-up an appointment & get to know him personally trust me he will put you on. PLEASE RECORD PROFESSIONALLY! As a rookie i too was mocked about this, take your art serious focus on audibility and quality.

"Seeing is believing"

 

High Quality Photos to Better Represent you

You all buy a magazine based on the cover don't you? Well like 80% of consumers do before i go further here is a link to some of the photos i have on my profile: Albums.

You see as an artist you need to have that attitude in your pics too. Take photos high resolution and high quality. Incase some agency accidentally wants to hire you for an acting part in some series or soap don't be let down by cellphone photos on your portfolio.

Be that artist who takes time to put your imagery in the open and trust me this is a hyella good marketing tool, pictures say a lot about you. So display your emotion through them.

RECAP

1. Know your Musical direction
2. Manage your Image (Signature Look)
3. Get onto Social Networks
4. Interact with people and build a fanbase/following
5. Get a bandpage e.g Facebook or Reverbnation
6. Street teams to share you out
7. Get on Radio
8. Professionally master your vocals
9. Do Photoshoots
10. Have a positive attitude and feel good about what you do

In general invest in your music, labels trust an artist who puts time and money into their craft. Be that artist who they look for. Make a lasting impression and remember that you have to get this right the first time around for it to work. With all this said and done do follow me on twitter @Jaymaggs_SA push your music and be the best at it, NEVER COMPROMISE.