Music Submission
Ever wondered how to get airplay on a radio station? There honestly is no sure way to achieve this goal however, when presented with the opportunity you should always be prepared. The best way to get your foot in the door is to be professional and prepared with a (ready-to-go) or (retail ready) product whether it be for radio or for an influential individual you may meet. When trying to submit music for radio airplay, these basic steps that should be followed:
Step 1. Although music is an art form, the music business is just that a business. Radio is also a business. Choosing the single for submission should be a thought process and cater to the demographic (i.e. 18 – 35 year old females) of the particular station your submitting too. Your music single should carter to the sound of the station as well as the listening audience. Research is EXTREMELY IMPORTANT in this process.
Step 2. Again, RADIO IS A BUSINESS! All works should be copywritten, licensing, radio edited, mixed & mastered, and registered for tracking. Music submission music have proof of Library of Congress Copywrite, BMI, ASCAP, & SESAC licensing, and registration with a tracking service (Mediaguide), (if you’re a serious artist, you should do that anyway).
Step 3. Music MUST be mixed and mastered! The sound of the tracks being presented should sound like they are already on the radio (QUALITY). Can your song blend with current songs on radio? How does your music place in terms of sound quality with other songs on the radio? If the sound quality is not up to par, nothing else will matter!
Step 4. Presentation! (Note: Anything handwritten is unacceptable; this means on the CD or a piece of paper listing your song titles/credits). Put together a bound package that is professional and speaks to your personality and character as an artist. The items that must submitted with your presentation are:
• Artist/Group Bio
• Artist/Group Photo
• Laser Printed Labels on CD and Covers
• Artist/Group Name
• Title
• Total Time
• Label Name
• Business Card and Contact Information
• Writer and Producer Credits
• Proof of Copywrite
• Proof of Licensing
• Proof of Tracking
Step 5. BE PATIENT! This is a Business!!! Threatening, Harassing, and Payola WILL NOT BE TOLERATED. Let your music and your business ethic speak for itself! DESPITE what you might think, there maybe and chances are more important priorities the will take precedence over your material, in other words BE PATIENT!
The truth is, just because you submit your music and follow all of these steps, it does not guarantee you will get airplay. Your music MUST fit with the demographic of the station and meet the standard and quality of the station sound. If your music is not chosen for airplay, don’t be discouraged, work harder, perfect your craft and keep trying. Life is full of disappointments and one or several NO’s should ever deter you from striving for perfection and pursuing your dream.
Listed below are helpful links. It’s up to you to do the research:
http://www.copyright.gov/
http://www.bmi.com/
http://www.ascap.com/index.aspx
http://www.sesac.com/
http://www.mediaguide.com/
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