I did not want to introduce this subject too early but it is very important to cover radio etiquette in relation to artist submission. I also want to be as simple as possible. There is no detailed rulebook on music marketing or music production but there are basic principles in every piece of the puzzle. Independent music depends on radio play whether independent or major, but FM radio play is the ultimate reward for all the behind-the-scenes work. Pro flow radio dot com has been active in the online digital audio independent revolution for over 10 years. I have received thousands of singles, EPK’s, MP3’s and biographies along with links and different presentations from all seven continents. I am also an artist for over 13 years and I have experienced the process of being a grassroots artist knowing nothing and walking the path from scratch. Currently I am music director for Pro flow radio and these are our official tips concerning what to do when sending in your music for radio rotation via FM, online or satellite. Sometimes the key revolves around what not to do.
The first thing that drives me crazy when I open my e-mail inbox is to actually take time and view a submission to soon realize the artist has sent only songs that have profanity, derogatory terms, sexism, drug abuse, illegal activity… basically nothing that can be played on radio. Everybody wants a hot 16 bars [actually they want 172 bars with no chorus and repeated use of the N-word]. They expect it to be radio ready. We can’t play that. If you can’t let your mom and grandma along with grandpa, the local schools, pastors, congregations and business community hear your single, then the single is not radio ready. If your quality is not clear and sharp, then it is not radio readyI know we are in the times of satellite radio and Internet radio but FM radio is usually the dream and if you’re single is not radio friendly & produced to satisfy the radio standard then what is your purpose? I hear some really good songs but they may be saturated with so many bad words that it is impossible to introduce this particular artist to my audience. I have a responsibility. We have a responsibility as adults and as young people to create a positive environment for us all to enjoy. The radio is not for promoting any inappropriate and deviant behavior. It’s pretty self-explanatory if you consider that the FCC is monitoring all activity. Don’t send songs with bad words to any radio station. Indie musicians need to send radio versions or clean versions of their songs in order to enhance their chance of being played.
Another major pet peeve for me is having to rename your music file because you did not add the proper information. Make my job easier. If a music director receives hundreds or thousands of song submissions each year then they probably don’t have time to evaluate and review every e-mail. They actually have learned to spot the best presentations that cater to them. When I see my inbox, I sort through the trash and the valid e-mails thus separating spam from actual content. I have many folders for different purposes. All music submissions are placed in the music folder. After sorting through all new arriving mail, I begin to review e-mails in the music folder. Some e-mails have an inexperienced look while others have a very fancy or professional design and layout. But what makes the difference is whether the artist has given the important information first and fast as well as whether they have attached an MP3 and their social networking links. I am not interested in a life story biography or a list of your iTunes album links. I just need to see that you are serious about your music. A picture, a brief description of why you are a unique artist, where you are from, all your twitter Facebook and YouTube accounts, your website is always a plus, a personal message to my company showing your personality briefly and requesting a response. Be specific about your response. Do you want instructions on how to submit properly? Do you need information about how many songs to submit? Do you need the agreement form? Be specific an any legitimate company will respond. Don’t be shy and don’t be overly bold because whoever is receding your submission probably has somewhat of an ego and you do not want to rub them the wrong way. You also want to be original & confident because people are judging you off of your first impression. When I submit I always send an MP3 because people don’t always have the time to go download your link or even respond to your e-mail. But if you provide all information short and sweet along with the added tools like the MP3 you may have a better chance at getting in the door when the music director finally sits down at his desk to review the incoming influx. One major plus will be to encode your music correctly. Look up the details on how to encode your music so that when the music is played it displays the title of the song & album title. You can also add a website with a picture attached to it to impresses whoever opens the file and it also helps make their job easier because they don’t have to go wondering what your name is. Some say never send an MP3. I say send two e-mails. The first is an e-mail with all the information but no MP3 and the second e-mail can be a follow-up with a similar message, all the right information and an MP3.
This subject could continue for a while but the concepts suggested are very simple. Just remember to do your homework when approaching stations. Find out if the have a submission policy or certain requirements. Don’t ask questions with obvious answers that get easily overlooked. Does not professional to ask about fees or tech requirements if the company has a web page with all the info already published public. Be sure to inquire about exchanging links if you have an artist page or offer to send a drop that can be played on air to promote the station. Don’t forget to follow up but don’t over do it. If you contact twice appropriate but never establish contact, move on and find other options.
9 Steps to Millennium Music Success by: Mike Maxheat Mosley (c) part 1
Article 1: Mental Preparation, Stress Expectation and Brainstorming
These days everyone wants to be a rockstar. Whether it’s rappers, singers or producers, most people have access to the technology that will allow them to accomplish their desires without paying an arm and a leg. The cost of recording equipment has significantly changed therefore opening the music industry to a whole new generation of aspiring artists. However the equipment or access to your own studio is only one of many parts in music creation and marketing. You cannot depend on simple confidence of your own talents to carry you to the top of your craft or profession. With that in mind, we will briefly discuss several variables that can effect your stress and success in the music industry.
Our first topic is called mental preparation which encompasses stress expectation and brainstorming. You can’t just jump into the deep end of the pool and expect to swim if you have not trained or prepared a plan of action to survive. You must have goals that are short and long-term and you must type them out. Trying such a major detailed accomplishment will be very difficult if you’re trying to keep your to do list inside your head. You may become lost in your sauce and drown under your own ambition. Make a realistic list of your goals. Do you want to sell 1000 copies of your first album? Do you need to recruit instrumentals to organize the production of your album? Do you want to have a professionally shot video? These are small goals that you can write on your list to begin the process of branding your identity. Be realistic in the beginning. You are not going to sell 10,000 copies the day after you record your first single. Keep your goals in perspective of your personal reality.
Make goals to get your first dot com website. Make goals to collaborate with individuals specifically that are close or reasonable opportunities. Don’t waste time playing with your goals. Time is very valuable and music is an art that lives and never sleeps. You must stay current because while you sleep, the majors are spending millions to promote their brand and create new material for the public. The disadvantages can destroy careers in the independent arena. You must stay current. You must turn on the TV and listen to the radio and find out what is going on around you in music right now. What are the popular trends? Who’s number one on the Billboard charts? Why do you think they arrived there? Is it their style? Maybe it’s the sound. Either way, their relevancy can help to direct you in a path that will lead you to your success. Music has a voice of the current times and imitates current events. Studying the current relevancy of other artists can help you determine what market is lacking and which angle you should attempt in order to gain attention and attract fans.
Another vital idea when pursuing a career in music is to think about the effects of chasing your dream. Is it just a dream or are you really good? Can you handle the stress of rejection, personal preferences from fans and the demand of the business in general. Some people cannot handle success at large levels. What will you do if you succeed in gaining [the] audience that is depending on you for artistic satisfaction? Are you ready for interviews from disrespectful or controversial hosts that may twist and belittle your efforts? There are many circumstances that may affect your stability. Consider the symptoms that arise from pursuing music as a career. Are you ready to sacrifice your time and money with no reward date in sight?
It is like survival of the fittest or should I say, survival of the hottest. You don’t have to be the hottest to succeed but usually the hottest has a lot of confidence, experience, determination and support that will carry him for longer distances in this marathon. When you meet someone on stage with extreme musical ability, how do you react? Would you fold under pressure and doubt yourself? Or will you find a way like MacGyver to win? The choice is yours of course, but if you are not tough, if you cannot take constructive criticism, if you are afraid to get booed off stage then get ready for some severe disappointment and maybe even rookie heartbreak and embarrassment, then watch out for the Music Beast with extreme caution.
It happens to most musicians who dream and try. But can you recover and will you recover? One of the most surprising things is the element of people who do not want to see you succeed as well as uninterested fans and the lack of family support. Most expect that family will follow your every move no matter what because they believe in your dream. But is that fair to those who have nothing to do with your dream? Do your parents have to pay for your album production? Must they spend thousands on mixing and mastering and hundreds for gas to reach your shows? Unfair expectations again are not realistic. People everywhere do not care that you have a new album out and when they see it, it may offend them because of their own preferences. And don’t forget to factor in your area and location as potential factors to your fan, family and hater response.
Some areas are more responsive to musicians whether local or national. Some areas have no musical life or ambition that is allowed by society in that area. It’s just the way of the world. Regardless you need to realize that fans, family and haters are the only people you have to choose from as an audience. So even if they hate your music you must still try to reach them as a human being by developing your sound and marketing technique. Try different angles rather than shoving your music in their face or trying to freestyle which is something that most are annoyed by because most guys just want to be heard so bad that they do not care about the desire of the one listening. Your listeners comfort is very important. Brainstorming about your career goals, competency as a musician, producer or engineer is very important. Without preparation and planning, you may find yourself running in circles disenchanted by the waves and currents in the music industry.
In our next topic we will discuss ways to map out your game plan for success. We will discuss researching tips and tactics for overcoming disadvantages in marketing as well as creating a vision and template that can help you accomplish tasks on your to do list. We will talk about tips on what not to do as an independent upcoming artists and we will touch on things you can expect while interacting with different people from different media genres such as PR, radio, magazines and even TV or video outlets. If you set a crafty game plan and avoid unnecessary business deals, ventures and of course wasting money that can be saved for the future promotion and marketing of your product, then you will be okay to withstand a few years in this cutthroat industry. My opinion is definitely from a long list of personal experiences that I have encountered in creating a consolidated media company in this digital audio revolution. Stay tuned.
