Record a demo CD. As an artist looking to get noticed, you must have this type of polished recording available for fans, labels and other artists in order to demonstrate that you have what it takes. To record your demo, you can contact a local recording studio and pay an engineer to assist you (recommended), or you can record your own demo using digital music software like Pro Tools, Logic or Cubase. The second method will require you to have intermediate knowledge of music recording and mixing in order to create a professional-sounding demo.
Create a presence on the Internet. Use social networking sites like MySpace and Facebook, and post your music in a variety of streaming websites. This sort of buzz alone can help musicians to get signed. For example, the popular artist Iyaz was discovered on MySpace and soon after signed a record deal. If nothing else, your online presence will help you to generate a buzz.
Sell your music independently. Producing your own CD will cost considerably more money than recording a demo, but if you can successfully sell your music independently, you will earn your money back, turn over a profit and look desirable to record labels, which care most of all about profit potential. Record your album as you would a demo tape, then pay to have it mastered by a professional mastering house. You can contact a CD replication company about mass-producing CDs, or you can sell your music entirely online.
Perform your music before live audiences in venues where music industry figures hang out, like in the clubs on Hollywood's Sunset Strip. You may find yourself auditioning for record label bigwigs without even knowing it, in addition to building up your local fan base.
Contact established artists about musical collaboration. You can also suggest performing together. Artists like Eminem and Snoop Dogg hit it big after collaborating with Dr. Dre, and P. Diddy became a household name as a result of his work with the Notorious B.I.G. It never hurts to send a demo along and see what happens, but you will likely have more success if you sell a few records first, even if independently.