Music is a journey – it takes motion and perseverance to reach your destination. In this business, success doesn’t just happen like magic (unless you’re some rich record producer’s son/daughter – but you wouldn’t need this guide if you were).

Real success takes hard work, focused talent, and an unyielding determination to reach your goals. Dreaming of superstardom isn’t going to help you become a superstar, but it is a good start. It’s time to build a foundation under that dream, and start working hard to make your dream a reality.

STEP 1: DEFINE YOUR GOALS

Your goals should not read like a fantasy novel; meaning, you shouldn’t write, “I want to be the next Dio,” (for example) or “I’m going to sell out Madison Square Garden.” Instead, set realistic, achievable goals. If you want to be the next big thing, then write: “I will join a band, and practice my stage presence four times a week.”

It’s important to make two goal lists:

1. Short term: these goals should focus on the next three months or so.

2. Long term: these are the goals you want to complete within 12 months.

STEP 2: NETWORK AND PROMOTE YOURSELF AS AN ARTIST

Don’t waste your time hiding out inside – get out there, and make your name known. Heather McDonald, a music careers expert, warns that you’re going to hear the word “no” a lot. “You’d better get used to it,” she writes. Is there a particular club you’d love to play, or a local record producer you want to impress? Don’t be afraid to show up and ask.

McDonald writes: “The bottom line is that if you don’t ask, you don’t get.”

You can network online, too. YouTube is a fantastic arena to show off your skills. Share those videos and recordings with your social networks, and ask your friends and family to share them with their networks. Your friends and family members are your biggest fans, so leverage them whenever possible.

STEP 3: HONE YOUR SKILLS

No one is a perfect musician. It takes a lot of practice to get to a superstar level, and you have to continue practicing for as long as you hope to remain at the top. Do you think Beyoncé just gets on stage, and does her thing? No. She’s a perfectionist; and proof that practice makes perfect.

It also helps if you’re multi-faceted. For instance, if you’re a singer, why not learn to write songs or play the guitar? If you’re a guitar player, you may benefit from some vocal lessons. Websites like LessonRating.com offer instant access to thousands of local music teachers offering vocal lessons and lessons for a wide range of instruments. You can study online, or meet in person.

STEP 4: DEVELOP YOUR IMAGE

Ask yourself: “What do I stand for?” Define who you are, and then dress accordingly. It’s important to look good for your audience, and have a cohesive image that’s both identifiable and relatable to your audience.

Don’t be afraid to snap a bunch of photos of your “look,” and use those photos in any marketing you do. For example, if you’ve recorded a demo, and you’re publishing it online, attach the photo and a logo as the demo’s cover.

STEP 5: HIRE A BOOKING AGENT OR ASK SOMEONE TO MANAGE YOU

This final step may be the most important. You need people – it’s important to recognize that, and be open to help. You can hire a booking agent to help you score gigs at local venues, or you can ask a trusted friend to manage you. Overall, it’s these people who are going to help hoist you to the top, so don’t forget them, don’t mistreat them, and always be open to their suggestions.