Okay first, I must sincerely appreciate all those who not only have passion for music, but also go all the length to invest their resources in writing, performing, recording and promoting their musical works. Without music, there is no radio.
The fact that you are reading this post right now makes me wanna asuume you probably have interest in getting your songs played on Praiseworld Radio and other radio stations OR you maybe just wanna get some more information about how radio plugging works.
Over my years of experience as an upcoming artiste back in the day, a radio DJ and on air personality in several radio stations, blogger, music promoter and now Head of the Praiseworld Radio team, I have carefully observed some very simple (but sometimes overlooked) factors that make some songs get massive airplay, while some never find their way to the music library of the radio station in question.
For the first part of this letter, let’s discuss some basic fundamentals, just before we address the other tips in subsequent parts
1. QUALITY: Gospel Music is not thrash music. It is not the left over of good music. So if you are in the “Since-I-couldn’t-make-it-in-the-secular-world-due-to-stiff-competition,-let-me-give-gospel-music-a-try” category, no apologies – you have totally missed it! The truth is “Real music” started from the Church, so gospel music should be classified as the headquarters of good music.
Therefore, make sure the music you are putting out is of very good quality. DJs/OAPs love good music. Whatever the genre you choose, be the best at it.
2. TARGET AUDIENCE: Some songs may be good but not specifically air worthy. Don’t get confused. It’s quite easy to understand. As an artiste, you must have a target audience. What are you singing about? What category of people are you singing to? What class of people do you think will be able to comfortably relate with your song(s)?
The answer to these questions will guide you when writing your songs, and will help you determine what station to send your music to when produced, and what DJ/OAP to approach first. It is imperative you start from here. Once you succeed at this starting point, expanding to other stations and DJ/OAPs would be less a challenge.
3. GET A GOOD PRODUCER: Lots of amazing songs die before even getting out of the studio. The importance of quality production can never be overemphasized. You can play your part as an artiste excellently for all I care, as long as the production is wack, the song is wack. Sometimes, good production may cost you some bucks, but trust me, it is worth it if you mean real business.
Sometimes when artistes send in their MP3s or bring their CDs to me for airplay, I listen for about 30seconds and make a conclusion – Now that is where production speaks loudly. When it is properly mixed and mastered, it catches the ear of “radio”. Like I said earlier, DJs/OAPs love good music. If it is really good, it will be pretty hard to resist.
4. TAG YOUR SONGS PROPERLY: Now this is one major challenge our music department at Praiseworld Radio has faced with artistes since we started broadcast last month. How do you expect a song with tags like “Unknown Artiste”, “Unknown Album” or “Track 2” to get airplay? Ok, let’s assume it gets played, and a listener asks “Please Praiseworld Radio, who sang that song you just played, and what’s the name?” What do you suggest our response should be like? “Track 5 by Unknown Artiste”? lol. I’ll shed more light on this in Part 2
5. BRANDING – GET A GOOD ALBUM COVER ART: You must have heard the saying “It’s not about container, but the content” right? Yeah, that may be true. But what happens when people are not patient enough to see the content due to the very poor container carrying it? See your album cover art that way. It adds panache to your work.
A very well designed album art breeds prestige and class. Even when the content does not have the corresponding top notch quality, it at least seduces the OAP/DJto give it a listen (no pun intended), which is a good step in the right direction.
Do look out for the continuation. CLICK HERE to jump to part 2
*DJ = Disk Jockey
*OAP = On Air Personality
Written By Olutola Omoniyi
Head, Praiseworld Team
Stay tuned to your favourite gospel radio station PRAISEWORLD RADIO for exclusive urban gospel music all day…every day! Cheers!!!
