10 commandments of Sellaband by Brian Taylor of Vegas Dragons

1. Don't get depressed! When I first joined I was happy that I got a few new believers. I was very happy because I was signing up one a day... then it stopped. Nothing. No new parts - and I was really bummed out. Self doubt creeps in - "maybe my music sucks", "maybe I'm wasting my time!" You must remain upbeat! If you have a positive attitude, you are more likely to succeed.

2. You must have patience. This is not a get rich quick scheme. It will take time to reach such a big total. However it can be done. Mt Everest is huge but it can be climbed! Nothing is too big - not even $50,000. You can eat an elephant... one bite at a time.

3. Invest in yourself. I am a firm believer of putting my money where my mouth is. I have invested in myself and my music. If I don't - why should I expect strangers to? I am treating this as a self - financed project. I will buy every part in me that I can. If someone else jumps on board - awesome - but I will get there - regardless! Show the world that you believe in you and buy some parts in yourself! One believer (who bluntly admits not to liking my style of music) has said that they will buy a part just because I have bought into my band! Show everyone how much you believe in YOU!

4. Thank your believers!! NEVER take for granted the person that invests in you. Thank them. I am not talking about kissing up to them but genuinely thank them for liking your music. When someone comes up to you for an autograph and says they love your music - hopefully you will thank them and be pleasant. When you get someone who buys a part of your career - thank them ALWAYS!

5. Buy parts in other artists. You don't have to spend big... but there are a lot of great artists on Sellaband. By investing in even one or two, you are giving them a great boost of confidence. However - Don't expect any thing in return. A thank you should come your way but don't expect them to buy a part in you. It shouldn't work that way. In life before YOU succeed, you have to help many others out first.

6. Keep a list of your believers and their parts. Keep a record of the numbers. One day your tally will go up but you don't see any new people. This is because one of your believers has bought more parts in you. (THE NEW DATE IS NOT RECORDED ON YOUR LIST) IF you have it written down, you can see who it is and thank them straight away.

7. Don't take rejection personally. If you ask a believer to listen to your music and they don't like it - DEAL WITH IT. Just thank them for listening. The simple fact is that music is a wonderful thing but your music will not be to everyone's taste. This is a GREAT thing - because the people who do love it - will really love it and support you 100%

8. PROMOTE! PROMOTE! PROMOTE! Always be promoting your music. You have to get the word out. You need a myspace page and you need to network on myspace. It will cost you nothing except your time. When you sign up, actively seek out new friends. Start with your favourite artists, make a list and ask them to be your friends. Soon many people will be your friends and you will have a huge army of friends. IMPORTANT - take the time to thank them and do it properly. Listen to their music, read about them and comment on something positive about them... and make it sincere. You can spot a fake from a mile away. If you ask someone to be your friend - write their names down - because if they decide to join your friends you will receive no notification from myspace, which sucks! Find them in your list of friends and thank them.

9. Ask your friends and family to consider buying a part in your music. DON'T PRESSURE THEM! However let them know that this is important to you and that you will be very honoured if they buy a part. Since joining Sellaband it has been easy to see who of my friends and family REALLY like my music and who were just being nice. If they don't buy a part, just drop it from the conversation. As you climb up towards $50,000 they may climb on board but don't pressure them! Everyone has financial problems especially this time of year.

10. A.S.S - Always sell Sellaband. The only way this is going to work and work well is if everyone knows about Sellaband. Spread the word. They are allowing Vegas Dragons to be heard in every corner of the planet. Do you know how amazing that is? The only way the entire world will hear you is if they know it exists.