As I mentioned previously, you have to know the business side of the music industry.  This is very important.  I cannot stress this enough.  Many creatives have lost tons of money because they did not know what they were getting themselves into. It is great if you find a good trustworthy team to work with, but you still have to understand how things work.

The industry is a very complex beast and you should take some time to read articles, join groups, and network to understand what this thing called the "Industry" consists of. Here are some key things to get you started.

• Figure out what you want to do
  - great you have talent, but that is not good enough. You need to have a clear objective before you even start out. If you do not have a clear objective, you will be easily influenced and may be taken down a path you never intended to go

• Continue to expand your knowledge about the music industry business (contracts, licenses, etc.)
  - many have lost big time in this area because they had no idea what they were signing. The excitement of getting their music out to the world clouded sound judgement. Know what you are signing. If you do not understand something seek out a trustworthy professional to assist you. However, still do your own research to validate the information you are being told

• Continue to expose yourself to new music and artist/groups
  - expand your capacity. Many are so closed off to new experiences. This is not good from your creativity health. You never know where your next inspiration will come from. Stay open

• Determine your ultimate goal (do you want to sign with a major record label or stay independent?)
  - goals are different from objectives. Look at them like this - objectives are where you want to be and goals are the things that you need to accomplish in order to get there. After you have your objectives and goals, you then can define an action plan

• Work on your brand on a continuous basis
  – identify your brand and be the brand - as an artist, you are a brand. Determine what do you want you fans and business partners to get when they come into contact with you? This means that every thing you do needs to stay in alignment to the established brand. How you speak? How you dress? The opportunities you accept, all of this has to be as one

• Take great care with developing and distributing your musical project
  - you must operate from a place of excellence. Every time you give a piece of you to the world, it should be the best representation possible

• Build your following with consistent and constant messaging (based on recommendations)
  - the best advice is to show up at 100% at all times. This means from a simple post on social media to a live performance. Be there when your people expect you to be there. No one like a some timey individual

• It is important to create multiple streams of income
  - it is always best for you to not have all your eggs in one basket - diversify. You never know when something is going to dry up. Do not lock yourself down to just performing, tap into and utilize all of your gifts and talents

• Knowledge is power
  - study, read books, attend conferences, ask questions, stay a student. Never get so full of yourself where you think you know everything. Keep learning

• Never lose who you are inside (you must remain true to you)
  - what profits a man to gain the world, but lose his soul. Stay true to you. If something does not sit right with you, then it is not for you. Point blank, period. Say no to the compromise

• Continue to build relationships
  - your network is your net worth. Go into rooms you do not think you belong in. You will be surprised to learn that there are genuine people in this world who want to help others and see others win. Be open