If I were to ask you if who'd like to become a millionaire, most likely, each and everyone of you would reply that you would. However, in reality this could not be true or else you'd be one already or be well on your way to becoming one. The truth is only when you gain inner wealth will you ever be able to manifest it in your career and life. No matter what you do outwardly you'll never gain the momentum you need to get where it is that you'd like to take your career. This is because until you are right with yourself, the right people and resources will never come into your life and even if they were to you mostly likely would run them away. So here are a few ideas to help you get started on creating wealth from the inside out in hopes that it will manifest in your music career:

Change Your Thoughts- If you've been reading my articles for a while now this is probably not a surprise to you. I am convinced that the power behind thought is so divine that changing your thoughts alone can begin to change the harvests you are yielding. This is because your thoughts are the birth place of every word you speak and action you make. So then obviously if your sub-conscience is saying there's no way that I'll ever really make it to #1 on the billboard charts being that your from Iowa, then don't be surprised when you don't. An example of the power of thought is Kanye West, for years Kanye reportedly walked around every single day with the grammy speech he intended to make once he climbed the industry mountain and won the award. Now if this was after working with Jay Z and being signed to Roc-A-Fella I could see how this may be less surprising, however, this was way back before West was even signed. He saw through his thoughts that he would one day be at the Grammy's accepting an award and last year he did just that, giving one of the most memorable speeches of the night. How's that for thought power.

Stop Speaking Against Your Success- According to Michael Jackson's brother Jermaine, when Michael and Quincy Jones were creating Thriller, each and everyday MJ would write on a mirror and speak out loud "I have the best selling album of all-time", and I think we all know that to now be an affirmation completed. Speaking something day after day will lead to your eventual belief behind whatever it is that you are speaking and your actions will then follow these new beliefs leading you to whatever that belief is whether it be negative or positive.

Change Your Environment- This doesn't mean that you have to move, but it does mean that you must place yourself in the appropriate places to be seen by the right people, both online and off. I'm guessing this is one of the reasons that so many individuals have created their own myspace band pages, to be seen. That's a good start, but what about your geographical setting? If you want to become a big dog you have to run with that pack. You must find out where the top local artists that are in your area play at, hang out at, etc. By doing this not only will you gain a new visual scene, but also a stronger network which leads me into the last tip.

Create Friendships With The Right People- Now don't get me wrong, I'm not saying that the only reason you should create friendships is for mobility; in fact I'm not saying that at all. As you move forward in your inner quest for wealth though, it is natural that outwardly you will as well, thus pushing you into new acquaintances with like minded people. This may manifest in higher level producers, artist, executives, musicians, etc. and it is up to you to discern who's worth your time and who's not because having more talent, success, or money or fame doesn't mean that these new people are competent or true friend material, so be cautious of this.

With these tips you should be able to begin your journey toward inner wealth as well as outer. It will take time to truly master them, but eventually you'll find yourself thinking, speaking, and moving in areas that will lead you to breakthroughs that will bring you to total and true wealth, whatever that may be for you. No matter how things change career-wise or financially for you though, it is important for you to remember that true wealth comes from within.

(The following article is excerpted from my new audiobook, What Every Musician Should Know About Self-Promotion.)

Let me ask you ... What has to happen for a person to be converted into being a fan of your music? There are a number of possible answers, but at the most basic level, one thing has to happen: The person must hear your music.

And there are only so many ways someone can hear your music: on the radio or on television, on the Internet, in a dance club or a retail store, from a friend on a home or car stereo or ... during a live performance.

Let's focus on that last one, because even with all of the advancements in technology, live performance continues to be one of the best ways to connect with fans, sell CDs and prosper as an artist.

Hopefully, your marketing plans include a heaping helping of live shows. But what type of live shows do you plan? The problem is, many musicians get stuck in live performance ruts and fail to think outside the box. For instance, most rock bands flock like lemmings to nightclubs. Most acoustic singer-songwriters obsess over coffee shops and folk venues. That's fine, but they end the thought process there -- and then complain that there aren't enough gig slots for all of the acts who want to play.

The solution: Redefine your live performance goals. And ask yourself the right questions. If you only ask, "How can I book more shows at clubs?" you'll rarely look outside that possibility. But if you ask, "How can I reach more of my ideal fans through live performances?" then your list of potential venues is suddenly wide open.

Where can you play in front of more potential fans? If nightclubs is one answer, great -- continue to pursue that. But what about community festivals, neighborhood block parties, grand openings, rallies, auto shows, craft fairs, the finishing line of a city marathon, a public beach on a sunny day ... anywhere that large groups of people gather is fair game.

Sure, not every option will have the logistics for a sound system, a stage, etc. But any glimmer of an idea along these lines is worth looking into. And I guarantee you, the number of other acts competing for a spot at one of these offbeat events will be much less than the number you find at the traditional live music venues.

So ... expand your definition of a live performance, ask yourself empowering questions, and open your mind to the many new ways you have to reach fans through live performances.

Don't get me wrong: musically, it's a great idea to emulate another musician's style if they move you. It's been happening since art and music were invented, and it's totally natural. But from a physical standpoint, that sort of manipulation of the voice can be very harmful.

When a singer gets into the habit of building their voice the correct way, by using a proper practice regiment, they gain the tools necessary to create any sound they like. Developing those mechanics first is imperative. If the mechanics are there, the results come AUTOMATICALLY.

If I hear a technically exceptional guitarist, may it be Paul Gilbert or Eddie Van Halen or John Petrucci, I can't just pick up a guitar and try to play in that style right from the get-go…my runs will be sloppy, will sound like crap, and I'll most likely end up with a whole lot of frustration, not to mention Carpal Tunnel Syndrome, for my trouble. But if I consistently spend some time every day (the same way the guitar players I mentioned did) playing scales, doing finger exercises, learning how to keep relaxed and avoid tension…I should be able to develop some pretty great chops.

The voice is the same way. Doesn't matter whether you sing Metal, Jazz, Rock, Classical, R&B, Broadway, etc…work on the mechanics, and the results will come.

Ok, fine…point made. So, how do we begin working on the mechanics that will help us develop into the singers we want to be?

The next article will offer some information and a few applicable tips to get your started.

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