That was the first question asked when I sat down to talk to A&R people at Warner Bros. for my first record (Bigger World-’89).

I was, admittedly, clueless, and though tremendously talented, a much harder “sell” than the artist they next interviewed.

She came in with a mailing list, a website, upcoming scheduled performances, a soft drink idea, a doll design with a complete wardrobe, and an organization she was affiliated with just waiting for her first release!

I had no chance. The company’s attention was on how to plug this artist’s existing package into their larger corporate machine; I had no organized career to speak of.

Just an example of the music industry not being only about a great song and a wonderful performance, but more and more about the multi-marketing potential of a talent and the profit that is generated from it.

The Demographic

Don’t feel dumb if you don’t know that term; I didn’t either ’til I had to.

The demographic is your fan base, the people whom you’ve reached and the ones you aspire to…the people moved by your music.

A successful artist will likely have done a ton of research on a particular targeted demographic.

The wonderful thing is I can tip you off to the industry expectation of its importance and influence in building your career.

Think through these factors when it comes to people connecting with your singing: age group, educational level, religious affiliation? American Cancer Association? CARE? ASPCA?

Now is the time for all good singers to decide their demographic and claim it!