The Songwriter Forum - songwriting reviews, tips and chat

Songwriter Forum => Resources & Marketing => Topic started by: aaron on July 18, 2009, 09:20:37 PM

Title: how to get on radio
Post by: aaron on July 18, 2009, 09:20:37 PM

what does anyone know about this? I really want my stuff to get played on the radio cos I think the exposure from radio beats the internet by miles. Has anyone here been played on radio and how did you do it?  All tips welcome

Title: Re: how to get on radio
Post by: tone on July 20, 2009, 10:27:46 AM

Cathy (waspfromipanema) had one of her songs on radio a few of years back, and it really was just a case of finding a suitable DJ/ show, and submitting the song.  If there's a slot on your local radio schedule that you think may be appropriate for your style of music, then send it in.  I think local and small stations are a better bet to begin with.  If you get played it may make it more likely that you'll have a chance on larger stations.
I do know that the major labels use a 'plugger' to promote music to be added to playlists - this is basically someone who 'sells' the song to the station, although I'm not actually aware of any money changing hands (but it wouldn't surprise me).

You should do it though - it was a great feeling to hear it :)

Title: Re: how to get on radio
Post by: tone on July 26, 2009, 06:58:12 PM

Sorry for double post but I just found this link - quite interesting, but doesn't go into enough detail for my taste.
http://www.starvingartistguide.com/knowledge/radio_independent_music.asp (http://www.starvingartistguide.com/knowledge/radio_independent_music.asp)
Here's another one - bit more in depth and realistic I feel.
http://www.cleverjoe.com/articles/radio_airplay.html (http://www.cleverjoe.com/articles/radio_airplay.html)

Title: Re: how to get on radio
Post by: Captain Andy on August 29, 2009, 11:44:29 AM

If anyone's interested, Tom Robinson has a recommendations form for underground artists to be played on his radio show here: http://www.bbc.co.uk/6music/shows/tom_robinsons_introducing/recommend.shtml (http://www.bbc.co.uk/6music/shows/tom_robinsons_introducing/recommend.shtml)
You can recommend yourself and then try and persuade others to recommend you as well.
I reckon if everyone on here who's looking for airplay recommended each other we could maybe get the ball rolling a bit.

On the subject of pluggers, they can charge up to £2000 per day as far as I'm aware.

Title: Re: how to get on radio
Post by: Redhouse on April 20, 2010, 03:31:34 PM

I guess I don't know anything about how to get on the radio in the UK. I do live in the UK but studied music in the States. I know in the States you have to be prepared to pay loads of money to get on the radio. Which always made me sick to think about. Hope it's not the same in the UK...