I get a ton of emails asking about how to get music played on the radio. The answer, in short, is to convince people at radio stations, one at a time.
Below is video from a "radio meeting" with Meiko, who dropped by WRLT in Nashville in hope of getting airplay for her song, "Boys With Girlfriends."
As you'll see, it's far from glamorous, even though Meiko is on a major label. It can also be very intimidating as you're playing for people who can play you (or not) based on your performance. This day there were about 15 people in the room, all staring at her and judging.
I interviewed Meiko on Music Business Radio and we talked about the experience of radio tours and getting people on board with her music. Listen to the episode here.
Of course, this isn't the only way to get airplay... How are you getting your music on the radio? Join the discussion below...
Here's an interview I did with Jhani Kaye of KRTH in Los Angeles. Jhani is one of radio's preeminent programmers. Since taking the
helm as the Program Director at KRTH in 2006, his unique
approach has brought the station to the Top 2 in the Los Angeles market
among general market adult listeners.
We talked about the business of radio, how musicians can get the attention of radio, the importance of relationships in the music business, and more.
I've been working this strategy for over a decade and I can tell you that it definitely breaks records...especially if you're got something that is sexually charged.
Remember-- people buy music because of how it makes them feel. If they were having a good time when they first heard your music, they'll likely buy it in hope of reliving that moment in their minds.
Even if you're not interested in getting your music played in strip clubs, the story linked above is still worth reading.
Here's the problem Don Yute made...
1. Pay the cover and get in the club. Do what it takes to get you access to the DJ.
2. Dancers pick their own music. If you can't get in with the DJ, get in with the dancers. This is EASY...if you're willing to pay.
Assuming you have a song that works for this type of venue, this is the easiest way to break music.
Why? Here's the bottom line... A strip club is based on the exchange of money. You have it, the staff wants it.
Pay up. It's as simple as that.
Seriously, how much is it worth for you to get rotation? If you have something really hot and the crowd responds well, it's going to get played again. Pay up, get it on the first time, and move on to the next club.
"Strip Club Anthems" are just like wedding songs...they're played for years. Get one and you'll have recurring income for a long time.
This is going to sound a bit strange, but I have had a lot of music business executives come on my radio show and tell me that radio is dying...at least when it comes to music.
Found an interesting video clip from 1982, which talks about the subject...
Of course, the focus above is the switch from AM radio to FM. However, I'd argue that we're seeing the exact same thing happen right now, with a switch from broadcast to other radio distribution methods, such as satellite, cable, and Internet.
Options are always a good thing when they're yours, and it's great to have various distribution methods for a medium such as radio. The problem is that there are only so many people who actually like radio and, when you have thousands of choices to listen to, the audience is split thousands of ways. That wasn't the case when broadcast radio was all we had, and our choices were limited to whatever was on an AM or FM dial.
Check out the video at 3:40, where WABC's Ron Lundy says, "I don't think there will ever be another radio station that will ever come close to being as big as we were."
True. And the issue isn't just the new options on broadcast radio. Those 6,000,000 listeners are split between online stations, satellite, mp3 players, and who knows what else...
That's not saying that broadcast radio is totally gone. It's the only format that is in the hands of almost everybody. Even the poorest of people in this country can afford a $10 radio. And even somebody who is afraid of new technology can figure out how to turn it on. You plug it in, you get music...or talk, or sports, or whatever. There is something to be said for the simplicity.
Because of how little it costs to receive and its ease of use, until something can compete on these issues, broadcast radio is here to stay and has the largest audience of any radio delivery system right now.
Here's the problem...
As was mentioned in the video, many broadcast stations are going to a talk format, or sports, or "syndicated formats" which broadcast the same "station" in multiple markets and don't play any new music. And most of the stations which do play music have a small playlist, often times based on programming consultants who are concerned with how they can increase ad revenue more than being a benefit to local community or upcoming musicians.
And even if you can get on a broadcast station, the number of listeners are down. If it worth all the trouble you have to go through?
The good news...
You have more options for your music than ever. Radio isn't the only way to get the word out about what you're doing. In fact, there are options available to you, the independent musician, songwriter, or band, that actually give you more publicity (and royalties) than broadcast radio.
Yes, I'm talking about licensing your music to:
Film
Television Shows
Video Games
While the audience for broadcast radio has been shrinking, the audience for these things has been growing. In fact, by 2011, the video game industry will be larger than the music industry.
I can help you to get your music licensed in film, television, and video games. In fact, I can help you make a lot of money doing it.
I just released a video course which explains the opportunity you have right now and how you can cash in big time. If you want it, input your name and primary email address below and I'll send it to you free, as my thanks for reading this blog.
Also, please take a moment tosubscribe to my feed. It's free and this will make sure you're instantly updated when I post a new video or other information on licensing music here.
Sign up for my free course on music licensing below. Not only will you get my free videos that explain how you can make big money licensing your music, you'll also get bonus information, such as the direct contact information for music supervisors that I can't post here.
Input your name and primary email address below. That way you'll be sure to stay on top of everything.
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As many of you know, I host a talk radio show about the music business called Music Business Radio.
And, as many of you know, we take demo submissions from musicians who want their music played on the radio and feedback from our guests.
Here is the address to send a CD to:
Tuned In Broadcasting, Inc. ATTN: Music Business Radio 1310 Clinton St. Suite 200 Nashville, TN 37203
Notice that it's a physical address. And notice that I asked for a CD.
Still, I get messages every week asking if people can send music via an email attachment...
No, you can't. If I were taking email attachments, I would have let you know.
"But you can burn a CD from the file I send..."
Yes, I could, but that's really your job. My job is to play your music on the air and get it in front of music industry people who will critique it for you, not get it in a format which they're able to play.
This is a radio station, folks. We play music on CD. That means you need to get us a CD, if you want your music played.
Yes, I realize that's a bit more work than sending me an email with a file attachment. Yes, I know there are more environmentally-friendly ways of distributing music. But right now, we play music on CD.
I write all of this because I think it's the sign of a much bigger problem...one that may very well be keeping you from being where you want to be in the music business.
IF YOU WANT TO SELL MUSIC, YOU MUST THINK LIKE YOUR CONSUMER AND GIVE THEM WHAT THEY WANT IN THE WAY THEY WANT IT.
Write it down.
This isn't about you, it's about them. People aren't going to jump through hoops to consume your music. They're lazy. Make it easy on them.
I could go on and on about how to do this, but to keep this short, here's one example...
"Making it easy" is especially important when it comes to selling your music. This means you need to do so via the currency your customers have in their pockets...which is usually a credit card. If you're "cash only" and they don't have cash, you might as well be asking them to pay in gold doubloons.
And if you're "no checks" and they only have checks, you're in the same spot.
Make it easy on people. Take checks, take credit cards, take cash. And if people start approaching you with gold doubloons, find a way to take those too.
And when folks in the industry tell you they want your music submitted in a certain way, give it to them in that way. There is usually a reason for it.
Norm Winer - VP of Rock Programming for CBS Radio Networks Beau Hill - Producer for Ratt, Bob Dylan, Eric Clapton, Chaka Kahn Lisa Hickey - Producer of Lollapalooza, Austin City Limits Fest
I can do the same for your music. We do this every week. See the link above for more info and send your music NOW to:
Tuned In Broadcasting ATTN: MBR Demo Derby 1310 Clinton St. Suite 200 Nashville, TN 37203
Radio is becoming more and more important in an artists career, but steady radio play is becoming harder and harder to obtain. The best way for an artist to get radio play that people are listening to is satellite radio via XM or Sirius. This form of radio is more supportive and accepting of independent and unsigned artists.
When starting your radio campaign most artists should start at a local level by contacting there local stations and see if they have a show for local artists, which many stations do. Make sure you post the station's request information on your website and have all of your fans request this song. This will get the stations attention. Even if they were not going to play your music, they may now take a second look after they see you have a fan base in the area.
The new step in your promotion of your song towards radio is pressing up copies of the single. There are many places that will thermal print your CDs and put them in jewel cases. You should not pay more then 55 cents a unit for this.
The next step is sending this song to your local radio stations again, all of the stations pertaining to your genre in your region, XM and Sirius, as well as any internet radio stations.
Radio promotion can be very time consuming and frustrating, and for many artists, a waste of time. You have to know when it is right to take your band to the next level by pursuing radio plays. This should come at a time when you have a fan base and have done a consistent amount of shows in your region. The radio play should accompany an album release. If it doesn't, many stations will not even think about playing your song unless you have a release coming out that has distribution where the radio station's signals reach.
Once you do start receiving some radio play contact the stations to see if you can do a "phoner" (an interview on their station via phone). Many of these phoner interviews are recorded and played on air at a later date, while a few are actually live.
Many artists wonder whom to contact at the radio station. The person you should be directing all of your music and information to is the program director. You should also give your music to popular DJs at the station you are targeting as they do have a very small bit of input on what is added to rotation, and some might help by giving your album a mention during their show.
You can employ a radio promotions company, but this will not be cheap. I do not recommend hiring a radio promotions company for an unsigned artist or an independent artist with a small budget because the failure rate of these campaigns is very high and many singles. And, artists are broken on radio with little or no money invested at all. Wait until you get a substantial budget to use a company that promotes to radio.
Before you start your radio campaign you should have the following checklist with all of the boxes checked:
* A budget of at least $1,000 USD for printing of CDs, mailing, mailing supplies, and other costs you may incur.
* A fanbase of many people who check your website and buy your CDs regularly. If no one at all is buying your CDs, then what makes you think they want to hear you on the radio?
* A song of yours that many people have listened to and they all feel it has the potential to become a hit. Even run it by your local radio station to get their feedback.
* Make sure you have a release, tour, or many shows coming up so the promotion on radio is worth it. So many artists attack radio with everything they have trying to get a major deal, and it doesn't work out and the money they spent is not recouped. Don't always shoot for a record deal. Work on selling your albums and growing a fanbase and the fame and money will come.
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