*This article may contain links to affiliate products & services. We have reviewed these services to try and ensure the highest quality recommendations*
Written by Omari
Here's an honest look at some places for indie artists to get radio promotion. Without the support of a label, an extremely connected A&R, or a heavyweight radio promoter on your side it would be difficult to get a massive radio campaign going.
I don't want you to be confused. This list is not going to places you can get 1,000,000,000 listeners for $5 (If you find that place please let me know). However, I've searched the depths of the internet to find some quality opportunities for artists to get radio play.
There should be opportunities for artists here regardless of genre. Hip-Hop, Rock, Pop, Smooth, R&B, EDM, Funk, etc. are all welcome!
Commercial radio is usually an arena where you do have to either have a load of cash or do some back handed things to get in, but these days you don't need commercial radio to make a big impact. There's more power in the artists hands now than ever before! Spend your money wisely and you could be doing some big things in music.
The playlists on commercial radio stations are mostly dictated from a central corporate headquarters and the songs picked off of who's paying the most. Don't get me wrong. I'm in no way saying artists shouldn't pay for radio promotion.
If you've amassed a large following there's no harm in bringing in advertising fees. However, once you start playing any old thing no matter how bad the message is you have a problem.
If you're an artist out there who makes quality music and wants to add radio promotion into your music marketing efforts, then this is for you!
An indie artist should submit to college radio, public radio, community radio, internet radio, and podcasts. (This isn't included other music promotion such as SoundCloud. Just talking about radio at the moment)
You could hire a radio promoter to help with this, but it's usually going to cost you a ton of money. Instead, you can submit to some of these opportunities below and track your results!
Next you'll need to search for 'radio play' AFTER you've signed up for Fiverr using the button above
This is what comes up after you search for 'radio play'. You don't want to try out every single one on this page, so I've included the good ones below
Kiss will guarantee your airplay on a national and international level. PLEASE remember that in order to be on the radio your song needs to be PROFESSIONAL. No ifs, ands, or buts about it. Mixed and mastered engineering and professional instrumentals.
The station spins also pay royalties to the artists, so make sure you are signed up with a PRO (BMI, ASCAP, SESAC). If you don't know what those are you are not ready for international radio play yet and should submit to podcasts instead for the moment.
A PRO is a performance rights organization. Every time your music is played on radio or television you get a royalty. You can find out more information on their websites.
If you are an artist or musician and you have a song that needs to receive legitimate airplay on a FM radio station, then Kiss 104.7 FM also can provide this. They'll will play your song 3 times for the initial order of just $5. They also provide a recording of the "Proof of Broadcasting" of your song being played and introduced on the station.
Your song must be radio edited and contain NO profanity. It must be clear and professionally produced. Your song will be played right along with the artists of today from Bruno Mars, Drake, Katy Perry, Jay Z, Beyoncé etc. They do offer additional airplay with other stations as well. Because this is a real station and not just an internet station your song needs to be approved, but will be exposed to 1,000's of people. Their proof of broadcasting is a mp3 that is professional and can be uploaded to your website or social site.
This is real simple.
Play your song on NLD RADIO ATL.
Your song will play on NLD RADIO.
Your single promotion will be placed on NLD SOLUTIONS website.
This is designed to give you Organic feedback. Before you spend on a record that will/won't go anywhere, you need to test and see if people like it before you dump real money into it. This is perfect for that!
Broadcasting at FM Quality
This is the rotation. If you don't see your genre... This station may not be your cup of tea.
SUNDAY SKOOL (GOSPEL)
*5AM - 7AM
JAZZ N JUICE
*7AM SMOOTH JAZZ & SOUL
*9AM REGGAE
*11AM MIDDAY MIX
MORNING N AFTERNOON DRIVE
*12PM FUNK & SOUL
*1PM 80's & 90's R&B
*2PM MI CASA (DEEP HOUSE)
REGULAR ROTATION
*3PM NEW HIP-HOP & R&B RELEASES
*7PM OL' SKOOL HIP-HOP
THE GRIND SHOW (EXPLICT)
*9PM ALL D.C. GO-GO
*9:30PM INDIE/SHOUTOUT SHOW
*10:30PM ALL RAW HIP-HOP
*12 MIDNIGHT GUEST DJ
*1AM ALL RAW R&B
THE THUNDER STORM (SLOW)
*2AM - 5AM
(stations & air times are based from 2016 schedule & are subject to change)
"I will play your song for ONE WEEK (minimum 5 times per day) on Radio Power 77.7 FM
A screenshot will be given as a proof of placement as well as a link to hear the station!
ALL GENRES ARE ACCEPTED and NO EXPLICIT LYRICS please… Every song should be legally owned by its main artist.
We also have options to play your song for a month (25$) or 2 months (45$), as well as to interview the artist in an oral or written way, please check the extras.
We also have another option to record a voice over the track mentioning the names of the artist, song and main link every time it’s played (one-time fee of 50$).
We also do offer an optional extra of giving an MP3 recording of your track that includes the radio jingle while it's played for an additional 50$.
Please check the extras for full info and order now before the prices increase!"
Here is the description from this seller on Fiverr:
"Puls FM is a major FM station in Sweden covering the west coast and reaching over 100,000 listeners via FM, and world wide online on pulsfm.se. We will play and promote your song in our prime time mid-day show every day, giving it the best possible audience.
$20 - Your song get 1 air play on FM and online!
$50 - We play your song daily for one week, minimum 10 air plays!
$100 - We play you song at least 2 times per day for two weeks, minimum 28 air plays!"
Warning! Before you purchase one of these packages, you must contact the seller and send the song as a mp3 file or a link. They need to approve that the song is in line with the style of music on the station. You will be contacted promptly if the song is approved.
The music genre should be: Pop, Dance, R&B, Rock, Rap, Hip-Hop, House.
If your song is approved, then you can continue with your purchase!
Good luck with the submissions. Do not forget that radio is only one aspect of promotion though. You can still get other high quality organic promotions with the resources provided here:
When your song is ready to go, it's time to start promoting it to potential fans! Omari has the best organic promotion services money can buy. With packages for Spotify, TikTok, Instagram, and YouTube, we will get your music the traffic and attention it deserves! Click below for more information.
Join the No-Nonsense Music Marketing Newsletter to get the most valuable weekly case studies and strategies to grow your music business!
2 replies to "Radio Promotion: How To Get Guaranteed Airplay"
I have recorded a GREAT original Christmas song. Not many days of air play .I assume these stations are great for limited amount of Christmas music air play. There will be several more releases ( already recorded ) of my gospel music songs very early next year. Any advice?
nothing i guess is ever done for FREE! no writer should have to pay to be heard or listened to… RIPOFF