enough because the music is new, refreshing and people get comfortable and either don't like change or think INDIE is a bad word and no good music can be associated with it. Make it your job to push and push and show them a whole new world of good music. Don't try and tell them INDIE is better than mainstream. It's not a competition. It's simply making people aware of some dam good music that's out there and deserves to be heard.
On the other hand, don't feel you have to take on and help every artist that comes your way. There's bad music everywhere, it's the law of the land. And you will get some bad submissions. Whether ot be poor quality or just outright bad. I made the mistake of replying to a few and trying to tell them in a nice way that their music sucked, which lead to arguments and being told to stick things where the sun don't shine. Just delete them.
If you're on the ball, you'll access to submission guidelines and submit forms for the artists to send in ( I have mine on my web site with thanks to Wayne from Boston Rock radio). . That way you can't take heat for artists submitting genres that your station doesn't carry. I won't take submissions without the forms now because I want to know people went to my web site to check out my station.
Carry syndicated shows if you choose. It certainly can't hurt and may help increase your listener base. You will probably be approached by fellow program directors from around the globe.
Research. Check out their shows to determine how they can benefit your station. However, don't be afraid to drop any shows that don't cross promote or support your station like a hot potato.
Don't let them think you're a free ride. Same with the artists. If they don't share, tweet or cross promote your station, then say bye, bye. It helps that you lay out expectations in your submission guidelines. Let them know you are working TOGETHER, not just a free avenue for them to get airplay.
Don’t give up, unless you are seriously ready to throw in the towel.
HAVE FUN! So what if you are sitting there on a Saturday night with squat for listeners. Relax, have a cold one and whatever else makes you happy. Make like you are playing to the whole world and put your all into it. Once the fun is gone, then there's no point in doing it anymore. And if you're in it for the money forget it. More often then not, you'll be putting out more than you take in. But, that doesn't mean you can't make money. Just have to dedicated and have a hell of a lot of patience.
My format is INDIE (independent and unsigned artists) so a lot of what I wrote is based on that. However, whatever route you decide to take, a lot of what I have written can apply. All the best in your success and remember HAVE FUN!
Feel free to reach out to me at: [email protected]
if you have any questions, concerns or just want to tell me I'm doing it all wrong.
NOTE: A big thanks to Wayne, Marc, Bob, Carol for their straight forward advice. More thanks to the artists and promoters for all the submissions. A super huge thanks to Sage and Fauuex for their undying support and to Adam, for his voiceovers and tech savvy that helps keep me running. And finally my angel, without her love and support, none of this would be possible.
54