6. Record yourself. Record yourself while singing to see whether your voice sounds pleasant or irritating. Listen to your voice with an open mind, and don’t try to convince yourself that it sounds right, if it really doesn’t.

7. Improve and experiment. Try to make your timing and phrasing fit the song better. Experiment with varying amounts of nasal and chest tones, timbres, accents and styles to see what suits you. Have a good friend listen who can give you constructive and helpful criticism.

8. Practice singing in front of people. Looking at people while singing may feel awkward at first, but with practice you get used to it. If singing in front of others makes you nervous, try looking at their foreheads or over their shoulders. Practice singing in front of a mirror before you perform for an audience.

9. Be open to criticism. Try performing before friends or family, whichever you feel more comfortable with. Family members will usually try to sugarcoat reactions and not tell you their true opinions, while good friends may be more open and free with their thoughts. Be ready to laugh at yourself.

10. Enjoy yourself, show confidence by smiling a little, have some fun. It might just end up being a massive success for you!

11. Be persistent. Talent helps — but persistence is more important! Keep on developing your song list, vocal techniques, voice strength and stage presence. Keep on learning to “sell your song” to the audience, using hand motions (a hand on your heart, temple or pointing to the heavens, walking a little, each at the right moment), with sincerity, maybe a slight “tear” of sorrow in your voice — or humorous timing — as fits each song. Just don’t give up.