 Radio Promotion 101:
by Bryan Farrish - Brian
Farrish Radio Promotion
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Digital Servicing Myths
One of the new tricks to confuse artists is "digital distribution"
or "digital servicing". This is a service where the following is
supposed to happen: You pay a small fee to have your audio sent to
radio stations, then the person at the station listens to your track,
plays it, and the service then tells you who played it. Problem is,
it's very misleading. Article by Bryan Farrish.
Non-Commercial Radio: Worth Promoting To?
Non-commercial stations are comprised of three groups: College, community,
and "NPR" stations. College radio is by far the biggest non-commercial group, with about 1,000
stations in the U.S. and Canada. The biggest advantage of college radio is that it is the easiest and fastest
way to get airplay, and with it, the comments, favorite tracks, interviews, and
reports in CMJ and other magazines, all of which become great tools to market
your band with. Article by Bryan Farrish.
Radio
Airplay 101: Which Radio
Stations to Promote Your Music
to
We now look at which stations you should choose to promote your music to. Your
airplay promoter will help you, but in general, your choice of radio stations
should be based upon several factors, discussed in this article by Bryan Farrish. Added 03/31/2005.
Radio
Airplay 101: The Number or Radio
Stations in the U.S.
No conversation about music marketing would be complete without the word RADIO
rearing its ugly head time and time again. Few songs sell well at retail without
it. None sell millions without it. You've got your CDs manufactured...now what
can YOU do about it? Article by Bryan Farrish. Added 09/27/2004.
Radio
Airplay 101: The Overall Picture
of Music Marketing
There are two options for your independent music in the music business: You can
either try to be your own record label (and/or PR firm, music company,
entertainment agent, etc.), or you can partner with others who will do the work
for you if you pay them. Either way, you need to know who does what.
Radio
Airplay 101: How Retail and
Radio Work Together
"...if a label
gets
to where it has at least four or five acts, and EACH one is
charting in their respective airplay chart, and is doing 100+ gigs
per year, and is getting 50+ articles/reviews per year, then it
MIGHT be time to consider real retail promotion and distribution." Article by Bryan Farrish
Radio
Airplay 101: Setting Up Radio Interviews
"After your airplay for your song/album is progressing,
radio interviews are a great way to make use of the fact that the stations are liking your material. Also, as opposed
to touring, interviews can be done on the phone, which means a lot of ground can be covered... even in a single
day." Article by Bryan Farrish. Added 07/11/2003.
Radio Airplay
101: Making a Music Video
Many times, beginning bands that get a hold of some money ($100,000+)
try to put out a video. There is nothing wrong with the intent, it's just that their timing is off. So, when is
the timing right? Here are some words of wisdom from promoter Bryan Farrish. Added 06/06/2003.
Radio Airplay
101: Commerical Radio Myths
Many independent musicians, particularly those just starting
in the business, have no real idea what goes on at a commercial radio station. In this article, promoter Bryan
Farrish dispels many commonly held beliefs about the business of radio. Added 05/02/2003
Radio
Airplay 101: Commerical Radio Ratings
When working a record to commercial regular-rotation radio, one
thing and one thing only will help your career move forward: Helping the stations get ratings. Stations are not
in the music business... they are in the ratings business... Here's how to impact their listeners. Article by Bryan
Farrish. Added 04/03/2003.
Radio
Airplay 101: Reporting vs. Charting
As you start doing more radio, you'll get more opportunity to
choose between "reporting" and "non-reporting" stations, and also between "charting"
and "non-charting" campaigns. Should you pick one over the other? Article by Bryan Farrish. Added 02/27/2003.
Radio
Airplay 101: Why Clear Channel is Irrelevant for Indies
After endless concerns in the indie community about radio consolidation
and Clear Channel, I'm here to tell you that it should be of no concern to you. Regular rotation on large stations
(Clear Channel or otherwise) in major or medium markets is not available now ... nor has it ever been ... (for
over 30 years) to small indie releases and artists any more than McDonalds is available to you to market your indie
toys. Article by Bryan Farrish. Added 02/04/2003.
Radio Promotion
Cost Sheet
Every wonder what it would cost to promote your music to radio?
This cost sheet by promoter Bryan Farrish contains examples of four cost plans for taking a project to radio. These
examples are designed for indie labels who are still learning the radio game and who are still developing their
product.
Radio
Airplay 101: What is 'Successful'?
The first question people have when they want to hire us (provided
that they have never done an airplay campaign before) is "What airplay campaign do I need in order to be successful?"
There couldn't be a more misplaced question. It's like when a cab driver asks you "Where to?" and you
say "Well, where would I need to go in order to be successful?" Where you need to go depends on a million
things, not to mention what your definition of "successful" might be. Article by Bryan Farrish. Added
09/25/2002.
Time
of Year to Push Radio
Many people, when planning the date that their radio campaign
will start, think that starting the campaign at a certain time of the year will make a huge difference in the outcome
of the project. It won't. There are many other factors which are far more important, and these factors will determine
what happens with your release... Article by Bryan Farrish. Added 09/02/2002
Bryan Farrish
is an independent radio airplay promoter. He can be reached at 818-905-8038 or airplay@radio-media.com |
