Alex Arnold has a great informative post for you artists out there looking for radio play.  Make sure you visit his site and get more information about marketing and promoting your music.  Thanks Alex! – George.

Submitted by Alex Arnold from www.indieartistconsultants.com.

 

One of the major concerns for Indie Artists is to find a way to get their music into rotation on radio. Often when an Indie Artist submits their music to radio stations, they do not receive air play and there is no explanation as to why their music was not added to rotation. The proper way to submit music to a radio station is to first start a radio campaign. To set up a radio campaign an Indie Artist must have CDs of their music and a press kit.

 

Compile a list of targeted college radio stations and shows.  Go to each station’s website to research the shows that play your style and genre of music. Get the station’s music submission guidelines and set up a tracking system to help you keep track of who, where, and when you sent your CDs and press kits.  Call in advance and establish a relationship with the music director or show host. Once your list is finalized, call all of the stations to double check the contact information and find out exactly what materials they expect to receive.

 

The key to getting your CD played and in rotation is to build a personal relationship with the music or program director of the radio station or host of the show you’re targeting.  For best results, send your CD in a standard jewel case. Please take off the shrink wrap, prepare a ONE SHEET:   a music industry CD one sheet is a sales sheet which is an important tool for music distribution and radio promotion which provides information about a new release. This will be helpful to record labels and music distributors in selling the CD and is a must for radio stations when promoting your single for which to receive airplay. Its primary function is to attract media attention for your new CD release. It may furnish information about the artist or band and past accomplishments. It also provides information about the recording of the CD, the style of music, the track listing of 3 to 5 songs and any other unique characteristics that make it stand out. The CD One Sheet also gives the release date of the CD, the barcode number, the distributor number, and the list price. The name One Sheet comes from the fact that most of these sheets are one page in length.  It is best to limit yourself to this length when you are having one designed and written.

 

If you contacted the station and they told you to send in your CD, then write “SOLICITED MATERIAL” on the outside of the envelope so they know they requested it.  In a week or so call your contact at the station to verify that they received your CD. This is another opportunity to talk more about your music and upcoming shows.  Ask when they’ll listen to it and consider it for rotation. Note this date in your tracking system. If they didn’t receive your CD, resend the materials; follow up to verify it was

added to the rotation.

Make sure  you always do the following to ensure protection of your music:

1. Make Sure Your Songs are copy written.

2. Register Song/s with Library of Congress

3. Register with ASCAP or BMI

4. Register your songs with ASCAP or BMI “song registration”

5. Obtain I.S.R.C  for your digital MP3s

Have a question for Alex?  Contact him at indieartistconsultants@gmail.com.

 

 

Visit Alex’s website for more information and to get his book – “Indie Artist Survival Handbook” at
www.indieartistconsultants.com.