Difference between revisions of "Get Your Song on the Radio"
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Whether you're a solo artist or in a band, if you're a musician, one of the best ways to get your music out there is to get it played on the radio. Even if you start at a small college radio station, it can lead to national exposure. Sending in your songs can seem like a daunting task, but don't worry! Keep reading for a breakdown on how to submit your music to a radio station. Internet Radio is where independent artists should be uploading their music with Live365 if registered with the right agencies you can get paid you don't have to be Taylor Swift to get paid. | Whether you're a solo artist or in a band, if you're a musician, one of the best ways to get your music out there is to get it played on the radio. Even if you start at a small college radio station, it can lead to national exposure. Sending in your songs can seem like a daunting task, but don't worry! Keep reading for a breakdown on how to submit your music to a radio station. Internet Radio is where independent artists should be uploading their music with Live365 if registered with the right agencies you can get paid you don't have to be Taylor Swift to get paid. | ||
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== Steps == | == Steps == | ||
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#*Whatever packaging you choose, make sure all your information is clear, complete, concise, and correct. You don't want a music director to fall in love with your song only to be unable to figure out who it belongs to! | #*Whatever packaging you choose, make sure all your information is clear, complete, concise, and correct. You don't want a music director to fall in love with your song only to be unable to figure out who it belongs to! | ||
#Make your music easily shareable online. Some radio stations may accept email attachments, but more often if they accept electronic submissions they will want a link to an online source for your music. You have many options for digital distribution. | #Make your music easily shareable online. Some radio stations may accept email attachments, but more often if they accept electronic submissions they will want a link to an online source for your music. You have many options for digital distribution. | ||
| − | #*If you want your music more publicly available, you can use services such as iTunes, Amazon Music, or Bandcamp. iTunes allows you to sign up to sell your music for free;<ref>https://www.apple.com/itunes/working-itunes/sell-content/music-faq.html</ref> Amazon Music requires you to use a distributor to sell your music through their Digital Music store.<ref>http://www.amazon.com/gp/help/customer/display.html?nodeId=14061761</ref> Bandcamp is also free to sign up and is becoming increasingly popular with artists.<ref>http://bandcamp.com/artists</ref> Examine several options and choose the best for your situation. | + | #*If you want your music more publicly available, you can use services such as iTunes, Amazon Music, or Bandcamp. iTunes allows you to sign up to sell your music for free;<ref name="rf1">https://www.apple.com/itunes/working-itunes/sell-content/music-faq.html</ref> Amazon Music requires you to use a distributor to sell your music through their Digital Music store.<ref name="rf2">http://www.amazon.com/gp/help/customer/display.html?nodeId=14061761</ref> Bandcamp is also free to sign up and is becoming increasingly popular with artists.<ref name="rf3">http://bandcamp.com/artists</ref> Examine several options and choose the best for your situation. |
#*You can also get your music online by using websites such as YouTube or Vimeo. Read the Terms and Conditions for any website carefully; you want to make sure you keep your copyright and permission to sell your music! | #*You can also get your music online by using websites such as YouTube or Vimeo. Read the Terms and Conditions for any website carefully; you want to make sure you keep your copyright and permission to sell your music! | ||
| − | #*Sites such as Soundcloud, Mediafire, and Sendspace operate legal file sharing services that allow music directors to download your music without having to worry about viruses and other safety issues.<ref>http://blog.discmakers.com/2013/06/submit-songs-to-music-blogs-and-record-labels/</ref> | + | #*Sites such as Soundcloud, Mediafire, and Sendspace operate legal file sharing services that allow music directors to download your music without having to worry about viruses and other safety issues.<ref name="rf4">http://blog.discmakers.com/2013/06/submit-songs-to-music-blogs-and-record-labels/</ref> |
#Compose a press kit. You may or may not be requested to submit a press kit with your music. However, it doesn't hurt to have one ready to go. Most press kits include several basic elements that will help people get to know you quickly. | #Compose a press kit. You may or may not be requested to submit a press kit with your music. However, it doesn't hurt to have one ready to go. Most press kits include several basic elements that will help people get to know you quickly. | ||
#*Write a cover letter. This should be addressed to the person to whom you're submitting your music. Include your contact information, any webpages (YouTube, Facebook, website, etc.) that you have, and basic information about your music (genre, themes, etc.). | #*Write a cover letter. This should be addressed to the person to whom you're submitting your music. Include your contact information, any webpages (YouTube, Facebook, website, etc.) that you have, and basic information about your music (genre, themes, etc.). | ||
| − | #*Write a short biography. This should be a short description of you (or your band, if you have one) and your accomplishments so far. You can talk about your influences and interests here, but keep this part story-oriented. Consider it like your introduction to a new friend.<ref>http://governor.state.tx.us/music/guides/ht-presskit</ref> | + | #*Write a short biography. This should be a short description of you (or your band, if you have one) and your accomplishments so far. You can talk about your influences and interests here, but keep this part story-oriented. Consider it like your introduction to a new friend.<ref name="rf5">http://governor.state.tx.us/music/guides/ht-presskit</ref> |
#*Create a "fact sheet." This should include the essential information about you: name, style of music, other artists/bands you are similar to, instrumentation, etc. | #*Create a "fact sheet." This should include the essential information about you: name, style of music, other artists/bands you are similar to, instrumentation, etc. | ||
===Researching the Radio Scene=== | ===Researching the Radio Scene=== | ||
| − | #Determine your radio options. The genre of music you play will help to determine the radio stations that are likely to play your song. For example, public radio stations (such as local National Public Radio affiliates) tend to focus on indie, jazz, and singer-songwriter types.<ref>http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=5170632</ref> Your local college radio station may be a good choice for music that draws a younger audience, such as rap, hip-hop, and rock.<ref>http://blog.songcastmusic.com/2013/01/11/how-to-get-your-music-on-local-radio-stations/</ref> Make sure you send your song to a station that's shown they play that type of music. | + | #Determine your radio options. The genre of music you play will help to determine the radio stations that are likely to play your song. For example, public radio stations (such as local National Public Radio affiliates) tend to focus on indie, jazz, and singer-songwriter types.<ref name="rf6">http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=5170632</ref> Your local college radio station may be a good choice for music that draws a younger audience, such as rap, hip-hop, and rock.<ref name="rf7">http://blog.songcastmusic.com/2013/01/11/how-to-get-your-music-on-local-radio-stations/</ref> Make sure you send your song to a station that's shown they play that type of music. |
| − | #Research your local stations. You're probably going to need to start small, especially if you haven't signed with a record label yet. College radio stations are excellent places to get your start, because they tend to be open to playing new and less mainstream music. They also tend to be less driven by advertising and business concerns than commercial radio, so they might be more willing to take a chance on your song.<ref>http://blog.sonicbids.com/how-to-get-your-music-played-on-college-radio-and-why-its-so-important-for-indie-artists</ref> However, commercial radio stations may also be interested in your music, especially if you're a local act, so check out the websites for the stations in your area. | + | #Research your local stations. You're probably going to need to start small, especially if you haven't signed with a record label yet. College radio stations are excellent places to get your start, because they tend to be open to playing new and less mainstream music. They also tend to be less driven by advertising and business concerns than commercial radio, so they might be more willing to take a chance on your song.<ref name="rf8">http://blog.sonicbids.com/how-to-get-your-music-played-on-college-radio-and-why-its-so-important-for-indie-artists</ref> However, commercial radio stations may also be interested in your music, especially if you're a local act, so check out the websites for the stations in your area. |
| − | #*You can find radio station locators on the internet. These will allow you to search by state, city, or country.<ref>http://www.radio-locator.com/</ref> | + | #*You can find radio station locators on the internet. These will allow you to search by state, city, or country.<ref name="rf9">http://www.radio-locator.com/</ref> |
#*Look for titles like "music director," "station manager," "production manager," or "DJ." These are usually the people in charge of receiving, selecting, and playing new music. | #*Look for titles like "music director," "station manager," "production manager," or "DJ." These are usually the people in charge of receiving, selecting, and playing new music. | ||
#*If you're not sure whom to contact, try calling the station's general information line and asking to be connected to the person in charge of music programming. | #*If you're not sure whom to contact, try calling the station's general information line and asking to be connected to the person in charge of music programming. | ||
| − | #*You can also call in to the station during a specific program: often, DJs answer the phone during their programs and you can ask them about getting your song on air. This works particularly well if you call a show focusing on the genre of music you make.<ref | + | #*You can also call in to the station during a specific program: often, DJs answer the phone during their programs and you can ask them about getting your song on air. This works particularly well if you call a show focusing on the genre of music you make.<ref name="rf7" /> |
#Consider alternative radio. Internet radio is still broadcast radio's younger cousin, but it's another venue for emerging artists. Many internet radio stations allow -- even welcome! -- submissions from musicians who are new on the scene. | #Consider alternative radio. Internet radio is still broadcast radio's younger cousin, but it's another venue for emerging artists. Many internet radio stations allow -- even welcome! -- submissions from musicians who are new on the scene. | ||
| − | #*Pandora allows direct submissions.<ref>https://submit.pandora.com/</ref> AmazingRadio.com is another online station that accepts independent and emerging artists.<ref>http://amazingtunes.com/faq</ref> Live365.com will host your music in their Music Library, which will allow their online stations access to it.<ref>http://www.live365.com/web/components/content/labelservices/index.live</ref> | + | #*Pandora allows direct submissions.<ref name="rf10">https://submit.pandora.com/</ref> AmazingRadio.com is another online station that accepts independent and emerging artists.<ref name="rf11">http://amazingtunes.com/faq</ref> Live365.com will host your music in their Music Library, which will allow their online stations access to it.<ref name="rf12">http://www.live365.com/web/components/content/labelservices/index.live</ref> |
#Make connections. Many DJs and radio stations have social media accounts now. Follow them on Twitter and Facebook and check out their blogs and playlists. You'll have a better chance of personalizing your submission if you know who you're sending your song to. | #Make connections. Many DJs and radio stations have social media accounts now. Follow them on Twitter and Facebook and check out their blogs and playlists. You'll have a better chance of personalizing your submission if you know who you're sending your song to. | ||
#*You can also reach out to radio stations and DJs through social media. A tweet to them about your music will get your name out there without seeming overly aggressive. | #*You can also reach out to radio stations and DJs through social media. A tweet to them about your music will get your name out there without seeming overly aggressive. | ||
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#Prepare for rejection. It's always awesome when an artist gets a big break, but there are many artists and bands out there and only so much radio space. You may be rejected from the first several stations you contact, and that's okay. Be persistent and patient. Being rejected doesn't mean your music is bad! | #Prepare for rejection. It's always awesome when an artist gets a big break, but there are many artists and bands out there and only so much radio space. You may be rejected from the first several stations you contact, and that's okay. Be persistent and patient. Being rejected doesn't mean your music is bad! | ||
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== Tips == | == Tips == | ||
