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6 Tips To Getting Your Music On The Radio

6 Tips To Getting Your Music On The Radio

Any musician would love to get his or her music on the radio. This is often no easy task, but not impossible. Using my background as a Program Director, Corporate Program Director and Radio Promotions for a large Record Label and past host/creator of a popular NW Arkansas Local Music radio show, I have come up with a few tips that can make your attempt a little more successful.

1. Program Directors decide what plays on air. Don’t just send to any DJ and ask him/her for a spin. Don’t waist your time sending music to your DJ friend UNLESS they host a local or Indy show. The PD ALWAYS decides what plays. In the end, if he looses listeners, it’s his/her job on the line. As a PD, I would immediately terminate any DJ for playing unauthorized music. This is common practice for several reasons. NEVER TELL YOUR FOLLOWERS TO CALL THEIR STATIONS AND REQUEST YOUR MUSIC. THIS IS 98.9% ALWAYS FATAL.

2. Be sure your song fits the format of the station. This is often overlooked. If the Program Director takes the time to open your email, you immediately loose his/her interest in the 1st 6 seconds, if it does not fit. Use www.Radio-Locator.com to get it right the 1st time. This site can be a valuable tool.

3. Avoid sending links. Send the song in Mp3 AND Wav plus some basic band details. Add the artwork of you album. That simple. Make it easy for the PD to just open the email, and give a quick listen.

4. Start with small, local owned stations and College stations. Do your homework. Use the link in Tip #2.  Look for Local Music shows. A lot of College DJ’s have power of choice during their program. Follow Tip #3 and reach out.

5. Internet Radio stations are always looking for new music. Again, choose the genre correctly or you are wasting your time.

6. Quality, quality, quality. 70% of what I have been sent was unplayable. Remember, your song will play between perfectly balanced tunes. If yours was recorded in a garage off your friend’s iPhone, don’t send it. It may be an awesome song, but the quality will kill it and your image immediately.

I can go on and on, but thru my years, those are what helped me get my artist on the air or what has helped me decide what to play. Remember, any airplay is good airplay. The Program Director is your friend. If he declines, be cool. Maybe your next one will be more inciting.

Matt Miller
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