Promote yourself relentlessly. Set up your own Web site featuring a wide range of your music. Include images of yourself performing, biographical information and enthusiastic quotes from fans or observers. Print fliers and postcards advertising any local or regional appearances you are making. Ask friends and supporters to hand out advertisements to passersby on the street, their friends and family and local businesses.
Take every gig that comes your way. Perform all of the time to hone your performing skills and build your fan base. Note songs that grab a crowd's attention and use those -- and only those -- for your mixtape compilation.
Record a professional quality mixtape. Use high-end recording equipment for all tracks on the tape. Rent a small recording studio to hold all taping sessions. Select only the finest songs -- no more than six or eight -- in your repertoire that show off your talent. Leave the listener wanting more once the tape is over.
Design a mixtape cover with your image and name. Include your contact information on the backside of the cover and on the tape itself. Stamp each tape with a phone number, e-mail address and Web site.
Request a meeting with a music agent or manager. Send a professional letter or electronic correspondence. Indicate who you are, the kind of music you make and why you are a sure thing for their business. Meet with the agent on time and come prepared. Tell the agent your goal of finding a producer for your music. Bring a portfolio with images from local concert appearances. Provide the agent with several copies of your mixtape.
Use the strength of your previous self promotion and the access and clout associated with your agent to schedule meetings with producers. Invite producers to your finest events. Schedule larger and more prominent gigs with the help of your agent at festivals and concerts to generate more buzz and interest from potential producers.
Meet with any producer who will speak with you. Do your homework researching the producer before the day of your meeting. Be clear about your vision and what you desire with your career. Have your agent with you at every meeting for additional support. Ask questions of the producers as to what they have accomplished in the past and what they can do for you. Compliment the producer on items on their resume you admire and question them about anything in their past you find odd or questionable. Be selective and choose the producer who sees eye-to-eye with your goals and who can deliver the goods.