Work hard on your talent and your image. Both of these things can have a huge impact on your singing career and your chance of being signed by a record company. A record company looks not only for a voice it can sell to the public, but an image the public will either be able to relate to or will find entertaining. Work on your singing skills by taking lessons, and work on your image and performing skills by staying as active in the music business as you can while you pursue your career.
Promote yourself. Websites like Youtube and Myspace offer you a chance to showcase your music to the world and build a following. Myspace now has its own record label and actively signs performers who showcase music on its site. In 2007 Soulja Boy published his first song on the Internet and drew 4 million viewers, prompting Interscope to seek him out and sign him to a deal. Use the Internet to attract a potential audience that might land you a record deal.
Record a professional demo. Use a professional recording studio or find someone who has a home recording setup. Record between three and six of your best songs and burn copies of the disc. Your demo is your calling card when you look for an agent or approach a record label. Include a short biography, an 8x10 of you and your band and even a DVD that features a home-shot video or one of your performances. In some cases, a good media package may be the only chance you get to showcase yourself.
Get a manager. An agent that has been in the business and knows his way around can get you heard by the people who have the power to sign you. Use an online music industry contact database to find a manager or music producer to hear your media package (see Resources). You can also check the credits on CDs by your favorite performers to see who manages or produces them.
Be patient and stay determined. You can't fail unless you quit. If you believe in your talent and continue to try, there is always a chance that someone will recognize you and offer you the contract that could lead to the singing career you want.