Build your own studio. Choose a small enclosed space in your own home such as a closet and avoid one near windows or doors. A quick and cheap solution is to use soundproofing foam to cover the space. Although this may not be completely quiet it should be quiet enough for recording vocals.
Record yourself singing. A good place to start is to do covers of songs that are within your range and desired style. Its a good idea to choose more challenging songs as they will be more impressive to your audience and to people with the potential of impacting your career. Try both imitating the artists exactly and doing fresh takes on their songs.
Record original music. This is remarkably challenging even if you are a phenomenal singer, although it is something that you will ultimately have to do if you are to make it big. While you are recording other artists songs that is a good time to start writing your own music and experimenting. Crafting lyrics and melodies can be especially difficult if you don't have formal experience with music, so in such cases look for help from musicians with whom you can collaborate.
Start building an image as a performer. One of the biggest factors of making it big as a singer is image. It generally holds true that if you don't have an unique image its going to be harder to sell people on your music. Appearance is not all about god-given good looks, but also style and "swag". Focus on things that define your personality. Be yourself and let your personality shine through. While merchandise such as t-shirts and stickers can make your followers more visible this can be very expensive and should be carefully considered.
Build an online presence. Most record labels are looking for artists that can build a loyal following. The best way to demonstrate this is to gain followers online. Using sites like Twitter, Facebook, MySpace and Youtube you can start to gain fans before getting a deal with a label. Look to identify enthusiasts, followers who are especially fond of your music, and use them to spread the word. Video is the most viral form of media so be sure to record plenty of videos of yourself singing.
Perform live every opportunity you get. You never know who might show up to a performance at a local cafe or stage. Street performances are also a great way to promote yourself, especially in areas highly trafficked by big names in the music industry, particularly Chicago, Nashville, New York and Los Angeles. You may also consider reality TV shows such as "American," Idol but these shows are highly selective and have a reputation for not being completely fair judges of talent.