College radio stations frequently receive musical submissions from hopeful bands and producers trying to get their work to the public. Many of these come outside the usual channel of independent promoters, although many artists could use this advice, too.
RADIO-FRIENDLY or HOW TO GET MORE (air)PLAY, a guide for promoters, artists, and record labels
(+) - DO
Make sure to use a full-size jewel case or digipak for your music. CDs will likely be placed in a very large rack with many others. Single-size jewel cases and envelopes will simply disappear. The title and artist should be clearly visible on the case spine.
Stick a label describing the music on the front of the CD case. Include influences or similar artists. This label should also list which tracks in particular you think will do well on the radio, and also any tracks with bad language. Typically, this in the form of "Funky techno-metal with Balkan folk music influences and a guest appearance from Slash on track 7. RIYL: Aphex Twin, Delta 9, Cannibal Corpse. All tracks clean except 5 and 6. Start with track 1, 3, and 8.".
Send your music directly to the radio station's music director. This way your music will be charted in CMJ. If you prefer to bask in total obscurity, why send anything?
Put a tracklisting on the CD case. Unlike vinyl, CDs spin too fast for reading.
(-) - DONT
Don't ask people to check out your MySpace page. It's a lot easier to ignore you that way, and it also makes you look lazy and cheap. Send a recording.
Don't mix the tracks together. Every track should have a clear beginning and end, or it sounds like the CD is skipping on the air. This makes us less likely to actually play your music, although equally likely to copy it for home "previewing".
Don't be offended when your stuff isn't played. We can be snobby and picky even if you don't suck.
Why bother with enhanced video content? This is radio, not television.
Do NOT add copy protection to your disc. Many CD players used in radio stations will completely choke on copy-protected CDs. This will obviously destroy any chance of people hearing your music, unless the announcer decides to fling your disc across the room with the microphone on.