HOW TO PLUG MUSIC TO RADIOS ?

Radio plugging is very different compared to online promotion and blog submissions. It's very competitive and national radio stations have limited shows that play out emerging and unsigned artists. 

Must-Read: THE PERFECT CALENDAR FOR YOUR NEXT RELEASE

It’s difficult but it’s possible, so keep reading! 

Here's how I submit music to radios :

1) Choose one song  In the Blogs submission email, you may be pitching a full EP or Album, but with radio, you only need to pitch one track so don’t send a link to a full album ; producers don’t have the time to listen to the full thing to choose which track is their favorite. 

But if you feel your EP/Album has multiple styles throughout, that’s when you can look at promoting more than one song. If one track is a commercial pop and the other is a dance remix, you can push the remix to dance stations, giving you more areas to connect with and therefore more radio plays.

The single that you choose needs to be a "radio edit" : no swearing and the song shouldn't be longer than 4 minutes!

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2) Pitch the song

- I use the email I’ve already created to contact blogs with the pitch and the press release copy & pasted below.

- I provide a private SoundCloud link (before the release date) in the email, because it's the easiest way for producers and presenters to stream the music. 

- I share a Dropbox or WeTransfer link to download :

• The song, that way, if they like it, they have the option to download it right away: The radio station will need the MP3 if they want to air the single. Whatever you do, don’t attach the MP3 as this will block their inbox, and they don’t have time to download something they’re not sure they will like. Use either  to give them the option to download the track.                                  Very important: have the MP3 titled correctly : ‘[insert band name] – [insert song title].mp3’. I also always include the track in WAV. format as well, as some stations require this format.

• because some radios will also promote your music on their website, I also provide: The single artwork, some pictures of the band, the lyrics, the updated biography,  the full press release.

You can read more on how to write a pitch here: What does a pitch look like?

3) Start with pitching to local radio stations before anything else. 

You need to start small and build up. There’s no better place to start than with your local stations, but also college radios and online stations. They are more influential than you may think! And all these radios are run by passionate people, who will promote your music on their websites and social media as well (if you promote their stations too!). This may take you some time but if you’re patient, you’ll soon enough have a portfolio of plays for your song.

Must-Read: WHAT DOES A PRESS RELEASE LOOK LIKE?

4) pitching to the right radios

Do your research and only contact radios that play music in the same genre as yours. Don't waste the time of the music director that will only play Rock music on their station is you want to submit Disco. You can also search for similar artists, and find out where they get airplays. 

Getting played on national radio stations is extremely hard, as you’re not just battling with emerging bands but also internationally renowned artists that have people plugging their music constantly to contacts they work closely with. So don't give up! One step at a time, one battle at a time, the more radio will play your music, the more you will attract.

Don't forget to update the list of radios that play your music, so that you can use it on your next single release.

The whole process of plugging your music to radio will take a few weeks for each release, and with patience and time, you’ll get results!

Must-Read: INTERVIEW WITH Rocker Bob : "An actual DJ in a world of playlisters"

5) pitching to the right people

When you send your email to a radio, do some research too : who are you addressing it to: a radio show host? the music director of the station? the station manager? etc.. Always personalize your email. Yes, it takes time, but eventually the connections you'll develop with them will be very important for your career. And inspiring!

Here's my list of favorite radios; they were the first to support me and my band, and I'm grateful for all the spins in the awesome radio shows featuring indie artists, daily airplays, liners we recorded for them and their words of encouragement. 

Running a radio station, a podcast or a web radio requires so much work, preparation, organization, and dedication. And those who promote indie artists like us deserve the most respect! Thanks to them we get the exposure, we get our voices heard, our songs, and very often more because they promote and share on their social media as well. 

- Moment of Eclection show on Charlie Mason radio : contact Rocker Bob Moe

- The Basement Tapes : contact Nick and Bootsy

- The Philly ROCK Network : contact Elizabeth

- Ange's Rising Rock Band Show on Duggystone Radio : contact Ange

- Lone Frequencies : contact Jacob and James

- EGH Radio - music matters : contact Teri

- TFSC radio : contact Oli

- Radio Candy : contact Marc

- Lonely Oak radio : contact Nina

- ETunes : contact Mark

- ISR Los Angeles : contact Alan

- Banks radio : contact Isaac  

- ISX Radio : contact Mr Boagley 

- AZradio : contact Jimmy

- Spiderweb radio : contact Al

- Radio Kaos Caribou : contact Archie

- Smile Radio FM : contact Ritchie

- Incognito for New Music on Channel Radio : contact Richard

- Music Massacre Radio : contact Andrew

- Fish Creek Radio : contact Richard

It takes a lot of time , patience and organization

reaching out and promoting to radios AND blogs

If you need help contact me

I can spare you the time with your entire campaign 

or just pitch in to assist you with your DIY campaign. 

In any case I'll be happy to share my knowledge and experience 

and guide you the right way!