Rock Starve to Rock Star

So often I see songwriters, artists and musicians who feel that they need to struggle to succeed. "I quit my job so I could devote myself and my time to my work". We won't work "real" jobs because they are too confining. Unfortunately what often happens is we also won't spend the money that it often takes to do things professionally because the dough just isn't there.
I hate to see CD artwork with a "really cool photo that my uncle took", a two page insert with minimal info in a 6 point font that you need a microscope to read with, A Host Baby website with one picture, 5 songs and a couple of videos from the last two gigs at a club where you can't hear the music but you can hear the guy talking next to the "cameraman" and it's so dark you're not sure what you're watching... not to mention the camera operator (your dad) is moving the camera around so much you start to feel like your on the Colossus roller coaster at Magic Mountain (barf bag please).
Look, we all know times are tough. So cut back on the things that make sense and don't cut back on the things that can hurt you. Your CD, your website, your music ... these are your business cards. First impressions matter. Make sure you "dress for success". Make sure your package looks great. It doesn't have to be done in suede. But make sure it pops. Make sure your website impresses. Your music is well recorded. You can do things on the cheap. Keep it simple and clean. Just be wise on how your spend what you have. Rehearse before you record. Time is money, don't waste studio time getting organized. Use budgets before hand. Map things out. You can build some great websites from blog sites these days. Take the time to learn some of the technology. and a strong word of advice...Never upload crappy video of you or your band. That can be worse than no video at all. This stuff lives on and on.
Value is perceived. Create the value your fans and the gatekeepers care about. BTW...It always frustrates me when I see companies and artists cut back on marketing first when the money is thin. Cut other things first. Marketing is what brings you business. Get creative. find the things you can live without. You don't need to starve to succeed. No one wants to sign an emaciated artist anyways!