The one question we are still asked more than any other is: "How do I get a record deal?" Here's the new answer: Why? We know a number of bands and musicians who have spent years trying to get a record deal. They try everything to the exclusion of what is now the obvious – if you think your music is good enough, but no one will sign you, release it yourself.

If you still really want to be signed to a major, it is more likely to happen when you have both a live and a record fan base. If you have a buzz you are likely get a better deal and be a priority at the label. If you do get signed to a major label this can create a number of potential problems.

Some possibilities:

- Getting signed does not guarantee success. - It is likely that nothing will get released until you have recorded an entire album.

- Your recordings will be treated as product. The record company does not have the same emotional investment in your music as you do. They will be far more interested in promotional opportunities than protecting your integrity or image.

- You may get de-prioritised or ignored altogether, but whilst you are under contract there is very little you can do independently to work your recorded music. This may not always be under their control – genre popularity may change. Corporate mergers and downsizing are happening all the time and music trends come and go.

- To make things worse the record industry is in turmoil. The CD started a digital revolution, but the war has only just begun. There is about to be a massive generation change – aging CEOs are beginning to disappear. The boys in New Media are slowly making some impact.

You must take responsibility and there are no short cuts. However you don't need a whole album – concentrate on the great songs. Starting your own label is pretty much like starting your own band, however your career is unlikely to be self supporting for a couple of years, so if you have a day job don't jack it in prematurely. You can try do pursue some of the other suggested opportunities in this section that have helped artists quit their jobs and focus on their music, because the bills are being paid by their internet business.

There are many ways to generate revenue from your music career and these are now increasing. Your revenues should obviously include retail sales of your recordings, but can also be supplemented by inclusion in film, radio recordings, adverts, compilations and the like. Other traditional streams include live shows and selling the usual swag.

 However you can also generate a substantial income from a variety of electronic products very cheaply including music downloads, posters, mobile phone games etc. Most major artists took years to become an overnight success. Many of these artists, on expiry of their existing record deals, are now taking this route. Many new artists are also having considerable success releasing their own product, retaining artistic control and often creating much higher revenues particularly when their 'niche' is narrowly defined.

This may all sound very daunting but very rarely is there a magic, quick and easy way. Fortunately there are now a substantial number of self help books available to get you started, from building a music web site right through to guerrilla marketing techniques and the like.

We will be making some initial recommendations on these in the coming weeks, but only after we have reviewed each one thoroughly. We will finish this with an encouraging statistic: Over 40% of all internet users have purchased music from the web!

Start an internet business - its easier, much easier than you think, and you will have more time for your music than you get from your 9-5!