Join the church choir. This is the traditional point of departure for all gospel singers and will help you to learn the gospel songbook. Learning to sing in a choir context with other singers is good training for both your ear and your voice.
Develop your own singing style. Successful singers and musicians have identifiable styles that make them stand out. It is important to create your own voice that is unique to you. This takes time and lots of practice. Take voice lessons to strengthen and improve the quality of your voice. Study and listen to gospel singers. Imitation is the first step in developing a style. Singers and musicians begin by emulating their heroes and then use these influences to shape their own style.
Put together a demo packet. The demo packet should include a professional photograph, a short bio, a list of performances, and a sample of recorded work of three to four songs. The demo packet is an essential step in pursuing a professional career in gospel music. The demo packet is used to line up gigs, to contact a booking agent or talent agency, and to contact recording companies. The songs in the demo packet should highlight your style and range.
Use the Internet as a marketing tool. Create a website to publicize your career. The website should include a nice collection of photographs, news items, music samples, and interesting facts about your career. A blog page and social networking sites are also useful ways to keep fans informed about your recording projects and performance schedule.
Attend gospel music conferences and showcases. Gospel music officials, as in all other genres in the music industry, hold professional music conferences for musicians and performers. Gospel.com provides an extensive list of conferences and websites for the gospel music industry. Professional conferences are good places to network and make professional connections that will enhance your career. Conferences provide workshops and seminars about all the details of the industry. They provide opportunities for performers to showcase and perform. They also provide an opportunity to meet booking agents and record company representatives.