Getting started in entertainment is tough. Just because your mother tells you to become a band teacher* doesn’t mean you can’t still become a successful performer. But, you’ve got to get gigs. Here are 5 things you can do to get there:

Know Your Niche

If you’re a Joni-Mitchell-listening folk singer, you probably don’t want to be trying to sell yourself to a hot dance club. Figure out where you fit in the musical lexicon and introduce yourself to these venues. Go out, see shows, see if you can see yourself on that stage… even if the stage is just a folding chair in the corner of a coffee shop. More: Know Your Niche

Follow Your Muse

Whose album is running on repeat? Whose lyrics do you find yourself injecting into conversations? Whose songs can you not help singing along to? If your sound is like theirs, these are the names you should be dropping when you’re trying to get gigs. “A hypnotic mix of early Michael Stipe earnestness, heartbreaking John Legend piano, and Ray LaMontagne ramshackle backing band,” paints a vivid picture for music venues. More: Follow Your Muse

Social Media

One thing your mother, sister, best friend, people you didn’t really like but went to school with, and everyone else in your virtual-sphere can help you is with social media. Building a virtual following is essential. If you don’t have a following on social media, is there even a following at all? Venues can and do take this into consideration. More: Music and Social Media

Don’t Fake It

You don’t get anywhere being anything less than earnest. Even those who do slip by–ahem, Milli Vanilli–wind up in the dumps. More: Don’t Fake It

Embrace Struggle

If this business wasn’t hard, everyone would be doing it. You’re going to get the door slammed in your face, you’re going to not hear back, you’re going to be told “no.” If you can’t pick yourself up, dust yourself off, and keep going… maybe you should teach band after all. More: Embrace Struggle

*No offense to band teachers. We love you guys. But if you’re heart isn’t in it, should you do it?

What methods have you tried to get more gigs? Which worked and which didn’t?

See also: 4 Steps to Getting Better Gigs, Get Gigs: The Best of Online Booking