Music Submissions

There are so many thoughts on how an artist gets airplay. While I can’t speak for those other radio stations, I can share some advice that might help cut down on the confusion and help you get the music heard and hopefully played on radio here at ZIONFM.

THE PACKAGE:

First you must prepare a package to submit to ZIONFM. Here is a list of what should be inside (I assume you know to put a return address on the outside).

The CD or Record

The finished product with full artwork is always best. However, if this isn’t possible, clearly display the song list, album title and record label info. Please put it in a jewel case otherwise if might get lost in the shuffle.

MP3/Sending Music In Digital Form

This has made it SO much easier for bands to send music however it has made it SO much easier for someone getting hundreds of songs emailed to them deleted without even being heard. You have to think about the amount of music that is  being sent to our StudioCenter. You also have to consider we might not be able to play the MP3 directly in most cases so we have to physically burn the song onto CD to play for the highest quality playback.

Myspace

Sending a DJ a link to your Myspace page to listen to your song seems like a great and easy way for them to hear your music and for you to get the word out and I agree it is! But right now in my Facebook/Myspace Inbox I have at least 400 bands asking me to do that. Its much easier to ignore those messages even if I don’t want to. It’s just a question of time really. So again, use Myspace for that purpose but don’t have unrealistic ideas of the success of this practice. Oh and don’t post bulletin after bulletin on a DJ’s or station’s site. It will just frustrate them and make’m not want to play your stuff.

The One Sheet

The “One Sheet” is designed to outline what you’re sending and why it should be listened to. Limit it to one page; multiple pages create desk clutter and most likely won’t be read. Avoid cramming the “One Sheet” with too much but do include the essential information below:

1.A song list

2.Verify music & lyrics are FCC and Faith-based radio compliant!

3.”Go To” tracks (3-5 of your strongest)

4.A few press quotes if you have them. Don’t try to be funny; assume that music directors don’t have a sense of humor.

5.A comparison to other bands but make sure they apply (not everyone sounds like Radiohead). You could also include the “genre” of your music.

6.Avoid too much clutter; get to the point and let the music speak to that point.

Unwrap the CD and fold the one sheet inside the CD case. Don’t ask music directors (MD) to contact you, assume that you must contact them. Most of our MDs don’t have time to return calls. Call them during their office hours and continue to do so until you reach them. E-mail is great as well. Send one a week until you’ve heard from them and thank them for their time. If they are playing it, offer up CD’s for giveaway, tickets to show, whatever you can offer. They may not have a use for it but can’t hurt to try.

Other Promotional Items

Send other promotional items that will help your chances…but use judgment. Don’t toss in things that spoil or appear unprofessional. Posters, Band pictures, giveaways of value for our audience, etc.

WHO DO I SEND MY PACKAGE TO?

Research, research, research. Use the Internet to identify appropriate person.  Send your package to the station’s music director. If the station has multiple MDs then send the CD to the main MD and to any other MDs that might play it. If there is just one MD then send him or her at least one copy of your CD.

OKAY I’VE SENT IT, NOW WHAT DO I DO?

Follow UP

DO NOT assume that just because you’ve sent your package your CD is being played. Wait at least 2 weeks after you’ve sent it before you follow up with a phone call. Most music directors have call hours a couple of days each week.

Patience and politeness

Keep trying and once you get through remain polite and to the point. Ask the following questions. If any of the answers are “No,” stop asking and politely tell them to have a nice day.

Did you receive so and so CD on so and so records?.

Were you able to review so and so?

Are you going to add so and so to your rotation?

Where are you going to add so and so to your rotation?

Is there anything else you need?

Most stations have a “Heavy, Medium, and Light” rotation system. If you’re put into any of these its good news: you’re getting airplay. At this point thank the music director and let them know you’ll be calling back later to see how the record is being received and where it is charting. Continue to follow-up for 6-8 weeks, the life of a new release in rotation.

Requests

Inform your supporters that ZIONFM is playing your CD; however, make sure that they don’t overload the station with requests or turn bitter towards the station because your music is not being aired enough. DJ’s can tell when a band’s supporters are overloading them with requests and this will not win you friends or more airplay. Our station will play music based on merit and not on requests.

IN CLOSING

It’s not easy to do it yourself: write the music, book gigs, manage the tour, release the CD, and get radio airplay. But once you connect with the right listeners for your music, there are definitely rewards. I hope you now have a better idea of how to approach a radio station and get airplay for your new CD. Good luck!

Jeremiah St. James

Station Director, ZIONFM