So, let's say that you have successfully managed to get a few radio stations playing your music. What's your next step? Are you simply waiting on the charts to come in each week in order to learn if your single is moving up (or down)? If you would like to get a bit more yardage out of your airplay, here are two ways to, not only capitalize on your current airplay, but to also (possibly) move up radio charts even faster. 1. Station IDs I venture to say that most musicians who are promoting themselves probably never consider asking the stations that are playing their music in regular rotation for an opportunity to do a station ID. Now, if you are unfamiliar with what station IDs are, a station ID sounds something like... "Hi, I'm Kenny Love, and you're listening to WBLS 107.5." OR... "Hi, this is Kenny Love, from the band "Burned Out Baby." Whenever I'm in Houston, I tune my dial to KBXX 97.9 FM." Now, chances are listeners have already heard your music, since you are in rotation, and the station ID will serve to make you a bit more familiar to them while the station also benefits from having a familiar artist's voice identify it. And, you get the obvious benefit of, potentially, enjoying more station music requests, which translates into more spins and airplay, increased sales, more performances, etc. And, most stations are glad to coordinate station IDs with artists whose music they are playing. And, if you become really popular with their listeners, stations may even bring you to town on a bill. 2. On-Air Interviews Here is, yet, another area where most independent artists don't spend enough time pursuing. Yet, on-air interviews can also dramatically increase your exposure, notoriety and sales. On-air interviews broadcast on stations that are already playing your music allow your listeners to become even more enamored with you and embrace your music while they learn a bit more info such as: * The background story as it relates to your music overall * Your personal background * Your professional background * The meaning behind certain songs * Where you are performing * More, more, more... And, one of your primary goals during on-air interviews should be to turn the average listener who merely likes your song into a lifelong dedicated buyer of your music who, not only picks up this particular release, but who also eagerly awaits your next release. To me, the best interviews are the ones that are live and have call-in listeners. The great thing about on-air radio interviews (whether live or taped) is that, in most cases, you are not required to travel to stations in order to do them, regardless of where stations are located. You can simply do them from the comfort of your home or office. I have, personally, been interviewed on over one hundred occasions by television, radio and print media, and most of them have been wonderful experiences. So, by all means, don't allow this opportunity to increase exposure, sales and income exponentially, to slip through the proverbial cracks. |
