I introduce to you Marié Digby. A YouTube entrepreneur. Here’s a gal who has obvious talent and may or may not have lacked traditional location or industry connections.  Her (maybe her recording label’s) secret?

Welcome to the 21st century of social networking. With the advent of YouTube, you can now be alone in your bedroom belting out your favorite tunes -- all over the world. And all it takes is a few million video views to launch your talent right into a recording contract on -- BAM! -- on tour.

Move over American Idol -- here comes YouTube garage bands.  Check out Maries progress -- these videos are of her own writing.  The first video is her ‘home’ movie version.  The second video is what Hollywood Records did with her song and great voice.

So this grabs my attention for several reasons.

First, when I lived in Los Angeles and in Nashville, I met a lot of great actors and musicians as I honed my acting/singing skills.  Very talented.  Some uber talented.  But they never ‘made’ it big.

Why?  No network and no audience/fan base. But, bring in a couple hundred thousands built-in fans? Sold. You see, the biggest expense in launching a new recording artist is not the production -- it’s the marketing/branding. Enter YouTube -- skip past Go, collect $200,000 and get on the I’m an Internet Sensation Railroad.

Second, I have assembled a team to build 3 social networks that I am passionate about - one for my Life Coaching, one for pet lovers and another still for connecting families.  How great is it that the internet has progressed to connecting people and discovering new talent in this way?

And third, I have 5 kids.  As they come upon their teenage years, it’s kind of cool to think that they can explore their talents, musical included, and connect with like-minded people globally.  Globally.  They won’t wander the back woods or the train tracks like I did wondering if there’s anybody out there who shares their outside of the box passions.  They will have two of the greatest freedoms that comes with living in a free, democratic world -- the freedom to explore and the freedom to discover.

So sing on Marié and best wishes on your journey.  The world is watching You(Tube).

Author | Dave Darby

Dave Darby is a husband, father of 5, son, entrepreneur, speaker and well, a renaissance man who frequently needs to dump his brain on thoughts about life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness.