How do YOU define success?

When planning your career, your day or even your dinner, you have to begin with a purpose. The importance of this planning is especially important in today's music industry. Nowadays, there are many outlets that an independent musician can use to further their career. If your music meets the criteria, and you pay the fees, your music can be sold on iTunes. We already know that most record labels are using tools like YouTube or Soundcloud to both promote their artists and recruit the "next big thing."

To stand out from the crowd, sometimes you have to understand how the new music business works. Sure, we want "hot", but we are learning that an "experience" is what really sells records. Fans want a solid connection, either real or implied, with today's artist.

With this in mind, I'll keep today's point brief. Success comes when success is practiced. Practice success everyday. Whether you are looking to remain independent, or looking for a record deal, labels and fans alike are looking to know who knows you. They want to know who is following you or listening to you, or coming out to hear you live. Carry yourself as if your have one million fans, and you will attract that type of attention. Build your following to attract attention.

Now, begin your journey by asking yourself: How do I define success? Not how others do or believe it to be, but how YOU define it. Whether you subscribe to this blog, or read an RSS feed or two, stay current by reading about your industry daily.

In the coming weeks, we will explore these resources together. Starting with this article on self-promotion from Clyde Smith's June 2013 article on Hypebot.com, gather knowledge from several different sources and formulate a "YOU" plan.