Wondering how to be a Professional Singer? There are many ways to make singing a career, but you have to be prepared to work hard! Follow these steps for becoming a paid singer.

1. Take singing lessons from a qualified vocal coach to work on your vocal technique and develop your range. This is particularly important to protect your vocal cords from any temporary or permanent damage.

2. Work on developing your own style. Listen to different genres of music, take influence from the singers you admire, and create your own unique sound. Notice that no matter what song a famous singer sings, they usually have a distinct sound that makes them "them".

3. Join a local choir or singing group to gain experience and build your confidence. This is a very low-pressure atmosphere to get experience in, and you might learn some things from others in your group! It can be daunting at first but proper preparation can help you defeat the social anxiety of singing in front of others and receiving their criticism.

4. Record some demos of your own songs or covers and listen to them critically to identify areas where you can improve. It is important to be honest and seek honest feedback. You should get people listen to it who don't know you or don't know it is you so you can real feedback.

5. Build a portfolio of your work, including any recordings, videos, or live performances you’ve done. Many starting singers and rappers post to places like Soundcloud, iTunes Store, and other places.

6. Create a website or social media account to showcase your work, and promote yourself and your music. Make sure to keep broadcasting updates to keep your developing fanbase satiated.

7. Network with other singers, songwriters, producers, and industry professionals. Some of the most popular songs are collaborations between famous artists, so you should be prepared to "share" audiences.

8. Enter singing competitions or open mic nights to gain exposure. This is how many professionals ground their way up to the top - sweaty and exhausting work.

9. Shop your demos around to record labels, publishers, and other industry professionals to find a potential mentor or collaborator. Be prepared to be rejected not 50 but 500 times!

10. Practice, practice, practice! It takes time and dedication to become a professional singer. Nothing will make you a pop-star singer in one day, but the right attitude, skills, and planning will allow you to achieve nearly anything!

So that is the start. Did you find anything you already know? Did you learn something new? Share with your friends and family if you found something you never considered before!