Do you want to get your music played on the radio?

Getting radio airplay is easier than you might think. This blog from Schofield And Company tells you how to do it, and I agree with every word. It’s aimed specifically at online radio stations, but the same applies to all types of radio station. So if you’re an aspiring musician here is what you need to know…

Step 1
Visit an online radio station database website to search for stations compatible with your music. Live 365 offers links to over 6000 stations. You can search by genre and each listing will have contact information as well as a link to the station’s website.

Step 2
Study the websites of those stations that interest you, and read their play lists. If you can see your music sitting comfortably alongside the names on the play lists, then put the station on your submission shortlist.

Step 3
Send emails to the contact persons of the stations on your list, politely asking if you can send them your music for airplay consideration. Be sure to address them by name, and let them know that you’re familiar with their format. This will show that you’ve done a little homework, and aren’t just sending out blanket emails to every station out there.

Step 4
Promptly mail your CD to any station that responds favorably to your query. Mail it in a padded envelope marked “Requested Material” along with a brief bio, photo and one-sheet. The one-sheet should be a basic overview of your CD with track names and their running times, along with a word or two about any standout tracks. Include a brief, personalized cover letter and remind them of your previous correspondence.

Step 5
Keep records of all submissions so you can send follow-up emails and keep track of your airplay. Remember these stations will have multiple submissions to review, so wait a couple of weeks before getting in touch again. When you do, be brief and courteous, and ask if the CD arrived and if there are any plans to add it to the rotation.

Step 6
Monitor the playlists of all stations that you submit your music to. It’s up to you to keep track of any airtime you receive.

Step 7
After airplay, thank the station for their support, and ask if there’s anything you can do to support the station. Whether it’s playing at a benefit show, or sending extra CDs for use as giveaways during fundraisers, anything that furthers the relationship will bode well for future airplay.

From Schofield and Company.

Waste Not Want Not

Knowledge is a funny thing. You never know when you'll want to know seemingly useless information.

I've been making some new promos for the radio station. It involved gathering clips of music from tracks we play, and when I was finished I had a pile left over. So I thought "waste not want not", I'll use them for something else, and that gave me the idea for this blog.

Apparently "waste not want not" has been traced back to 1772, although the idea must have been around as long as we've been having ideas. The 1772 bit of information came from a Google search. I found what I was looking for easily, and was immediately grateful that someone had bothered to research and store that knowledge, but simultaneously amazed that someone could be bothered to research and store that knowledge. Which brings us back to my leftover clips of music.

I've stuck 25 of them together, how many artists & titles can you get? No prizes, just an exercise in retrieving some seemingly useless knowledge/memories you have stored in your head [or your friends' heads].

And if it helps ... there's one track by a made up band, one person appears on two tracks, one track is a live recording, and only one track includes John Lennon on backing vocals [he also co-wrote it].

All the tracks will be played over the weekend, so you can look at the text on your DAB radio or on the WebPlayer if you're stuck. I'll give you the answers on Monday along with the regular AUDIOBLOG.

CLICK HERE TO HEAR THE CLIPS

So there you go ... a reminder to make the most of resources, a plug for the radio station, a trip down memory lane, exercise for your brain, something fun to do with friends, and a reason to lure you back to the Blog. Waste not want not.