Play My Song?

I get asked quite a lot if I can play peoples songs on the radio, and sadly, most of the time, the answer is no.

I do not do it to be mean, I just can’t.

Here’s why- imagine a DJ with a dance floor, as you know, if you have ever been on a dance floor, you like to hear songs that you know. If the DJ plays a new song that you do not recognise, no matter how good it is, it will probably clear the floor.

Same with radio-commercial radio anyway- (I fully agree we need more John Peels in this world)- it has created a rather curious vicious circle, in the sense that a new artist needs to be famous to get radio play, but needs radio play…. to be famous.

I reckon that’s one reason why all the Social Networks sprang up, it is brilliant grass roots marketing. Think Arctic Monkeys and the like.

So, how does a new talent make a break for it, and fulfill his dream?

Well, some suggestions here- I was introduced by a friend of mine- Aine Lark to a local chap, Aaron, who brought a CD with him, with some of his own compositions and some cover versions.

So, we sat in the coffee shop and chatted, and he told me about his dreams and plans, and they were very well thought out I must say.

But how to make the break, when however much I liked his music- which I did- he has an amazing voice, but HOW, when I cannot play him on the radio, much as I would like to.

Well, we sat there and brainstormed, and here’s some of the ideas we came up with, and I thought they may be useful to you, hence this post.

*His target demographic is 14-22 year olds (his style is kind of James Morrison), so, what about approaching schools, offering a workshop and performance, that somehow ties into a part of their curriculum- and with more and more schools now offering media courses, it probably would do- and hey- look at the popularity of the X Factor!

When there, do the performance, and hold a Q and A session - there is so much information that the students would want to know about him, and… RECORD IT.

* Now he has a product that can be sold as information to people one step behind him. To them, he is expert status. A simple website with the audio to be downloaded, or have it transcribed cheaply into an e-book- after a few talks he will have product to sell, which will help funding.

*Get the schools involved in creating as a project promotional material- a real fun project for the kids, educationally based, and of course it gets them ALL talking… about him. It’s free viral marketing- on steroids. Offer perhaps a prize for the best idea of a studio session making a demo tape.

*What our station CAN do, being local of course, is plug any community or charity based gig. Always ask your local station if they will do that, many will have a special e-mail address to send the details to.

*Social network- Facebook of course, start a group for people with similar interests, answer questions depending on what they want to know, and of course, that is material for another product….

* With that age group, use bebo as well of course.

* Tell the local papers, make sure their entertainment people know about any gigs you do, and if there is a twist on it, tell your friendly local journo- immediacy,relevancy and interest factor are what journalists look for.

* Create mystique. It’s a delicate balance- too distant and it’s unreachable and alienating, too open, and it’s like a magician going on stage and telling people how he does his tricks. Nothing compelling there. But find something that would intrigue the audience and play on it. Why does he bring that hat on stage, but not wear it. What’s that book under his arm, what does he read. What could be slightly mysterious and a challenge for the audience to solve? Geri Halliwell, when once being pursued by the paparazzi, went into a Christian Science shop and asked for one of their “bibles”. She had no interest in the subject…. but the press did… it fascinated them! And it made the front pages.

* Offer the local radio station yourself- for nothing the opportunity to have you on their live rig gigs- in our case this is when we are in schools- his target market.

Launch your own radio show- since the music is yours, no copyright problems- look here www.blogtalkradio.com

You can have your own internet show onlinw within an hour. Of course, tell your Facebook network about it.

For a fee (about £175) you can get great promotion on the internet- they do have cheaper packages, but as usual, you get what you pay for.

http://www.prweb.com/

Of course, if you want training on how to make yourself sound GREAT on the radio, and how to create relevant, entertaining, and compelling content… just get in touch- neil@getintoradioonline.com