Write music that is relevant to current issues. You may want to contact a nonprofit or charitable organization and ask if you may write a song for its cause. If you let the organization use your song royalty-free and it is good enough, the organization may use it to promote and create awareness of the cause.
Record a CD and promote it. Make the CD as high in quality as your resources allow.
Book yourself in bars, restaurants and pubs.
Ask local radio stations to play your music.
Write songs for local theatre groups as part of their musical productions. Ask if you may perform your music before a show or during intermission.
Obtain bookings or permission to play at festivals and other public events.
Play at open mic events.
Use the Internet to post your work and advertise concerts and CD releases. YouTube, Facebook, Myspace and Twitter are among the resources you can use to promote your music.
Play in nursing homes and hospitals, with permission.
Post, promote and distribute your music at the CD Baby website (see Resources 1).
Busk your music. This can be an effective and even profitable way to reach listeners, if done properly. Study how to maximize your busking efforts before embarking on major adventures (See Resources 2).
Enter or audition for music competitions whenever possible.