To get your music played on the radio is perhaps one of the most frustrating and difficult things for a musician to do. There are so many radio stations and only a limited number of slots for new music that it can seem near impossible to get your foot in the door. Radio stations are, nevertheless, an important avenue. Statistics show that online radio platforms are streaming music revenue of more than 585 million dollars.
Here are a few things you can do to increase your chances:
Get Attention from Other Places
Before you start trying to get your music played on the radio, it’s important that you’ve gotten attention in other places. This means having a strong online presence, being active on social media, and perhaps even playing some live shows. If you can get people talking about your music before you start approaching radio stations, you’ll be in a much better position.
Research Radio Stations
Not all radio stations are created equal. Some specialize in certain genres of music, some are more open to new artists, and some are local, while others are national. It’s important that you do your research and figure out which stations are the best fit for your music. Once you’ve identified a few key stations, you can start reaching out to them.
Make a Good Press Kit
When you’re reaching out to radio stations, it’s important that you have a strong press kit. This should include your bio, some high-quality photos, and a few of your best songs. If you can put together a professional-looking press kit, you’ll be much more likely to get the attention of radio station staff.
Submit Your Music
Once you’ve done your research and put together a good press kit, you can start submitting your music to radio stations. Most stations have an online submission form, so this shouldn’t be too difficult. However, it’s important that you follow any instructions that the station has for submissions. If they ask for a certain format or file type, be sure to provide it.
Follow Up
After you’ve submitted your music, it’s important to follow up with the radio station. This shows that you’re serious about getting your music played and that you’re willing to put in the effort. A simple email or phone call can go a long way.
Be Persistent
Getting your music played on the radio is a long, difficult process. It often takes months or even years of hard work to finally get some airtime. However, it’s important to be persistent and never give up on your dreams. If you keep working at it, eventually, you’ll find success.
Leverage Your Connections
If you know anyone who works in the music industry or who has connections to radio stations, be sure to leverage those relationships. Having a personal connection can often be the difference between getting your music played on the radio and being ignored.
Conclusion
These are just a few tips that can help you get your music played on a radio station. Remember; it’s a long and difficult process, but it’s not impossible. With hard work and dedication, you can make your dream a reality.
Eric Dalius is The Executive Chairman of MuzicSwipe, a music and content discovery platform designed to maximize artist discovery and optimize fan relationships. Additionally, he runs the weekly podcast “FULLSPEED,” featuring interviews with cutting-edge entrepreneurs. As the founder of the “Eric Dalius Foundation,” he provides four scholarships for US students. Keep up with Eric on Twitter, Facebook, LinkedIn, Instagram, and Entrepreneur.com.