At most radio stations, someone decides which new songs get added to rotation. At community and college stations it is usually a music director or show host; at commercial stations it is often a programme director working with the music team. They hear a lot of new music every week. This checklist covers what helps a song get a fair listen.
The song
- A clear radio edit. Explicit lyrics need a clean version. Many stations will not play a song without one.
- A sensible length. Long intros and very long tracks are harder to programme. If your album version is long, consider a separate edit.
- Strong audio. Mastered, consistent in level, and delivered in the format the station asks for.
The information
- Accurate metadata. Artist name, song title, album, label and ISRC embedded in the file and listed in the email.
- A one-sheet. Release date, genre, a few lines about the artist, any upcoming shows in the station's area, and contact details.
- Local relevance. If you are from the station's city or region, or you are playing there soon, say so clearly. Local angles matter to many stations.
The approach
- Read the submission rules. Many stations publish exactly how they want music sent: a portal, a specific email address, or a digital delivery service.
- Match the format. Send a song to shows and stations that already play similar music.
- Follow up politely, once. A short note a week or two later is fine. Repeated chasing is not.
What usually does not help
- mass emails to every station you can find;
- attachments sent to addresses that ask for links;
- asking for spins in exchange for anything of value, which can break broadcast rules in many countries.
Planning the bigger picture
Radio works best when it is part of a release plan with press, streaming and live dates. For a deeper walkthrough of getting your song on the radio, MusicPromoToday's guide covers the steps in more detail.