Called2music.com - http://www.called2music.com
Are you welcome at home?
http://www.called2music.com/articles/28/1/Are-you-welcome-at-home/Page1.html
Tim Sweeney

Tim Sweeney is is one of the music industry's most highly sought after experts in the areas of artist development, radio promotion, record distribution, retail marketing and publicity. He has helped dozens of record labels both major (Columbia, Epic, MCA, Revolution, Hollywood, Capitol, Mercury, Polygram, Warner and their sub-labels) and independent (Restless, Skunk, Screaming Goddess, amongst others) develop some of their most promising and successful artists of all time. Tim has personally worked with and developed the careers of over 1,300 artists and groups to date and is the author of one of the best selling books on the market today regarding the music industry: TIM SWEENEY'S GUIDE TO RELEASING INDEPENDENT RECORDS. Visit his website, http://www.tsamusic.com for more information on Tim's unique services for indie musicians.  
By Tim Sweeney
Published on 02/10/2007
 
Focus on being successful at home first and see what opportunities it creates for your music career!

Bloom where you are planted...
Obviously there are a number of reasons why being popular and financially successful in your home city is critical. The sheer benefit of not spending your money or time traveling in the car or van for a number of hours to play a show for 20 people is one. Here are some others you may not be thinking about that can be to your benefit.

With a large and growing fan base that comes to your shows and have bought your CDs, you will be able to attract the attention of artists in neighboring cities you would like to play in next. Since you are successful in your home area, you can play with other artists who are successful in their home cities.

This obviously gives you a dramatic advantage in promoting your music in new markets. In essence you will have an instant audience to play for in the new cities you go after. While you are capturing the interest of artists in other markets, you are also attracting the attention of major label artists.

As you know, most major label artists are counting on the airplay they have received to deliver them an audience. Unfortunately they find themselves in the same position as other new artists. Booked into venues where they can’t fill the room by themselves. Well guess what?

You are the answers to their problem! Yes, you! Your dedicated fan base can fill up the back half of the room or can help both of you play an even larger venue. Of course the other benefits include getting paid more to perform, media coverage and hundreds of potential new fans you will be playing to. Not to forget what influence your dedicated fans will on the new people that come to the show.

Focus on being successful at home first and see what opportunities it creates for your music career!