If you are like lots of up-and-coming independent artists, artists, groups, or record labels, you are believing that if you can "just get your music in front of a DJ they will wish to play it on the radio." Sure, you may find a DJ that is willing to give your music a spin or 2 on a regional radio show, however this is not the like regular rotation "adds" and it does not result in rotation from other radio stations all over the world.
DJs do not have the power to "add" a tune into a radio stations regular rotation playlist. In fact, at numerous radio stations across the country, a DJ can and will be removed from the air for playing a single song that was not approved and positioned into routine rotation by the radio station's program director.
Program directors manage a radio station's routine rotation playlist. In some larger markets a program director will have an assistant that carries the title of music director, however even in these radio stations the program director has the final say of what songs get contributed to the radio station's playlist. This is not to say that structure relationships with local DJs is not a good idea. It is.
Relationships with DJs can be established to assist convince a radio station's program director to provide your song a listen and possible "add" to the stations playlist. However, the very best method to get your music contributed to a radio station's routine rotation playlist is to comprehend the standard concepts of how to submit your songs to program directors.
The following 5 realities about sending your music to program directors will assist you comprehend how and why songs are contributed to regular rotation playlists at radio stations, how to make your music stand out and get listened to by Program Directors, what it requires to get "includes" in routine rotation, and how to ensure your music stays in routine rotation for the life of the single.
Industrial radio stations are not in the business of playing music.
The most significant misunderstanding surrounding an industrial radio station is that playing music is the greatest top priority, or business model, in which it runs under. Commercial radio stations are not, have never ever been, and will continue to never remain in business of playing music.
Radio stations are in business of offering time to marketers to place thirty or sixty 2nd commercials so listeners will purchase services or products. Radio stations draw in listeners by playing music. Program directors are worked with to pick and add tunes to the station's routine rotation playlist that will draw in the most listeners in order for the station to charge a higher cost to it's advertisers to purchase time.
An unidentified, up-and-coming, artist or group does not draw in a large listener base to a radio station. This implies marketers are getting less "bang for their dollar" when their commercials air beside your song as apposed to their commercials airing beside a leading twenty artist that has mass listener appeal.
Therefore, you need to develop a large local following before calling Program Directors trying to get a tune "added" to a radio station's regular rotation playlist.
Program directors get numerous songs per week to pick from.
As soon as you or your group become "local favorites," you need to understand that you are still competing versus the whole world. Program directors receive hundreds of CDs each week for evaluation and possible factor to consider for regular rotation playlist "includes.".
When program directors listen to new music and start to choose what songs will be "added" to the radio station's playlist they will consider numerous factors including; staying power - does this artist or group have the capability to launch another single listeners will want to hear, marketability - does this artist or group have the capability to continue it's marketing reach and get brand-new fans that may have never become aware of them in the past, and mass audience appeal - Does this group just have a lot of fans due to the fact that they have a fantastic live program or do they possess the ability to get mass listener appeal on the tune alone.
Your job as an unknown, up-and-coming, artist or group is to stand apart among the numerous other tunes a program director need to choose from weekly. This is achieved prior to sending your CD to the radio station. You should address these questions in your other marketing efforts so that when a program director researches you or your group he/she is not left with any concerns about your ability to attract the radio station's listener base.
There are particular days and times radio station program directors take calls about new music.
Calling a program director is hard. Lots of up-and-coming artists and groups would state it is difficult. It is not. However, if you are not attempting to contact program directors at the right time, you will never get a hold of them. Program directors reserved certain days and times for "new music calls.".
On these designated days and times a program director may get over a hundred calls from radio advertising agents, record labels, and artists. The secret to effectively getting a program director on the phone is perseverance. You can not call one time and state you attempted. You should continue calling up until you get an answer.
If at the end of the scheduled time you still do not get a program director on the phone leave a detailed message about who you are, what you are wanting, and how to contact you. Unidentified artists or groups will probably not get a call back. Nevertheless, your name remains in the program director's ear. This will lead to them searching for your CD and taking the time to listen. Perhaps not on the very first call, however persistence does pay off.
There are 2 methods to get a programs directors music call day and time. First, check out the radio stations website and search for the contact page. In most cases the music director will post when, where, how, and what time to contact them with brand-new music. If you do not find the information you are looking for the next best thing is to call the station. Do not ask for the program director. Just ask the receptionist for the program directors call day and time.
There are only many tunes that can be played in a 24 hr period on business radio stations.
If you think about that radio stations remain in the business of offering time to marketers you have to also consider that indicates there is just so many tunes a radio station can play in a day. Program directors will fill the majority of readily available "music" time slots with recognized artists that currently have mass listener appeal. This leaves a really restricted quantity of time for unidentified, up-and-coming, artists or groups.
Considering that radio stations want to attract the biggest listener base you see why Program Directors will only "add" a song or two each week to the radio station's regular rotation playlist from unknown artists. This is why determination is of the utmost value when attempting to get your music "added" to a radio stations routine rotation playlist.
As pointed out previously, you have reveal a music director you have "staying power." Make certain you present your persistence in an expert manor verses a "nagging," bothersome way. Program directors will respond to determination. It may not be when you desire it be, however they do and will start to research who you are to see if you deserve a routine rotation "add.".
When you get a tune "included" to a radio station's regular rotation playlist you must continue developing relationships with program directors.
When you are fortunate adequate to get your music "added" to a radio station's regular rotation playlist by a program director your task is not done. Lots of up-and-coming artists and groups disappear from the "minds" of music directors once they get "included" to a stations playlist. This is not smart.
Keep in mind, you can and will be dropped from the playlist if you are not relentless. As pointed out previously, music directors wish to know you have the ability to continue marketing and promoting your music to get mass listener appeal. The very best method to show them that you are working toward that objective is to keep your name in their "mind.".
You do this by calling them each week, just during their arranged "music call" day and time, to develop your relationship with them. Inform the music director of you or your groups activities, ask how the tune is doing, or how many requests it is receiving from station listeners.
Your task when getting in touch with a program director after your song has actually been "included" to a radio station's routine rotation is build strong and lasting relationships that reveal you are working toward getting fans from the station's listener base.
