Radio - Your Music - An Audience - The Effort
Radio is an important part of the music industry. It is the main format in which new music is heard. Even with the surge of Internet streaming, XM radio, Sirius radio and any other online or satellite stations, FM radio is still at the top of the heap. I am going to go over a few tips to help you get your music heard. We will start with knowing your genre, packaging, and presentation, and then we will discuss follow-up before airtime, and follow-up after airtime. This is a two part piece, the first part will get the ball rolling, and the second part will help guide you through the on-air process. I will write and post the second part in about 3-4 weeks.
Research
1. Know what genre your music is. Have a thorough knowledge of the station and/or show you are pitching. Listen to the shows before and after you pitch them.
2. When pitching your band, know when the show airs. If you live in a large market, try pitching stations in smaller markets first, and work your way in.
3. Send you package to the stations’ local act first if they have one. If not, send it to the program director and/or music director.
4. Get to know DJ’s and program directors’ assistants. They can often be your best allies in getting your music heard.
Media Kit
1. Send a minimal press kit. Most program directors and music directors do not have the time to read a more extensive one. If a station lets you know that they are interested in your music, then send them additional material.
2. They will read your pitch letter, if you keep it short and to the point. Tell them who you are.
3. In your pitch letter, offer to do interviews and/or benefit shows for the station.
4. Include upcoming show dates.
5. Compliment the show in a way that indicates that you actually listen to it on a regular basis.
6. Make sure it is addressed to the right person. Music directors usually weed through all of the music that comes in and take the CD’s they like to the program director. If it is possible, send a copy of your CD to both the MD and PD. If your supply (or funds) is limited, address it to both MD and PD.
7. Do not handwrite your bio. Include how your band got together, musical influences, neat little tidbits about the members or the band itself, and fun things the listeners would like to hear about. Take your time writing it, remember it’s the stations very first impression of you!
8. Make your press kit witty and informative.
9. Do not include more than 5 press clippings.
What to Send
1. Make a good quality recording. This is not the place to save money!
2. No cassettes!! Send CD’s, DAT’s, or vinyl only!!
3. Be creative with your packaging. Make it stand out and be something the PD and MD will remember when you call them back, “Aren’t you the guys who sent tootsie rolls in your package?”
4. Highlight ONE song for them to listen to.
5. You are more likely to get airplay with a shorter song.
6. Make it as easy as possible for them to listen to your music. Example: Take the polywrap off your CD’s
7. Depending on the genre of your music, enclosing lyrics (better yet, printing them in your CD insert) is important.
8. Do not send them what they cannot play! If you have a great song with curse words, send them a radio edit!
9. You may want to send more than one copy. If it gets lost, the radio station probably won’t call to ask for another.
10. Send listener give-aways (stickers, shirts, hats, CD’s etc.)
All right, you have the necessary step-by-step process to getting ready to have your bands music played on the radio. I cannot stress enough how important it is to not skip anything when working through this process. If your band and your music are important to you than you will pay close attention to detail and present your product in the best way you can. If you are offended that I called your band or your music a product, than I will probably see you at the local coffee house for many years to come. If you love what you do, than do what you have to make what you love your career! Where is your happiness? Really!
See ya round... I’m out.
Moons
Research
1. Know what genre your music is. Have a thorough knowledge of the station and/or show you are pitching. Listen to the shows before and after you pitch them.
2. When pitching your band, know when the show airs. If you live in a large market, try pitching stations in smaller markets first, and work your way in.
3. Send you package to the stations’ local act first if they have one. If not, send it to the program director and/or music director.
4. Get to know DJ’s and program directors’ assistants. They can often be your best allies in getting your music heard.
Media Kit
1. Send a minimal press kit. Most program directors and music directors do not have the time to read a more extensive one. If a station lets you know that they are interested in your music, then send them additional material.
2. They will read your pitch letter, if you keep it short and to the point. Tell them who you are.
3. In your pitch letter, offer to do interviews and/or benefit shows for the station.
4. Include upcoming show dates.
5. Compliment the show in a way that indicates that you actually listen to it on a regular basis.
6. Make sure it is addressed to the right person. Music directors usually weed through all of the music that comes in and take the CD’s they like to the program director. If it is possible, send a copy of your CD to both the MD and PD. If your supply (or funds) is limited, address it to both MD and PD.
7. Do not handwrite your bio. Include how your band got together, musical influences, neat little tidbits about the members or the band itself, and fun things the listeners would like to hear about. Take your time writing it, remember it’s the stations very first impression of you!
8. Make your press kit witty and informative.
9. Do not include more than 5 press clippings.
What to Send
1. Make a good quality recording. This is not the place to save money!
2. No cassettes!! Send CD’s, DAT’s, or vinyl only!!
3. Be creative with your packaging. Make it stand out and be something the PD and MD will remember when you call them back, “Aren’t you the guys who sent tootsie rolls in your package?”
4. Highlight ONE song for them to listen to.
5. You are more likely to get airplay with a shorter song.
6. Make it as easy as possible for them to listen to your music. Example: Take the polywrap off your CD’s
7. Depending on the genre of your music, enclosing lyrics (better yet, printing them in your CD insert) is important.
8. Do not send them what they cannot play! If you have a great song with curse words, send them a radio edit!
9. You may want to send more than one copy. If it gets lost, the radio station probably won’t call to ask for another.
10. Send listener give-aways (stickers, shirts, hats, CD’s etc.)
All right, you have the necessary step-by-step process to getting ready to have your bands music played on the radio. I cannot stress enough how important it is to not skip anything when working through this process. If your band and your music are important to you than you will pay close attention to detail and present your product in the best way you can. If you are offended that I called your band or your music a product, than I will probably see you at the local coffee house for many years to come. If you love what you do, than do what you have to make what you love your career! Where is your happiness? Really!
See ya round... I’m out.
Moons
