Why don't my band get played on the radio?

This is a big question that many bands ask. If you've put in the time and effort to write songs, rehearse and record them, it can be a bit disheartening when radio stations don't seem to want to play them.

So... Where might you be going wrong?

Your tracks are great, you've got a good fan base and you've done your very best. However, here are a few hints to maybe give you the edge.

Is your recording good quality?
It doesn't have to be a superb studio recording - many shows (on 6 Towns especially) will still give you a chance, even if you send in a rehearsal recording. Some of those are far more interesting than a "polished" studio effort. Just make sure you can hear all the instruments, the mics aren't overloaded, etc. In other words, will a radio listener wince when your track comes on? Also, very importantly - are you aiming for the right station/presenter? If your band plays progressive funk, then it's a bit futile to send your tracks to a dedicated Heavy Metal station or a presenter who predominantly plays Classical/Choral!

How have you submitted your track?
Okay, so your track is good quality and you think it's fine for radio play. Who did you send it to? Do you know the radio station, or are you just trusting to luck? Does the station play your style of music? If so, is there a particular show you should be aiming at? Most stations have specialist shows. At 6Towns, we've got many that cater for different styles and genres. Have a look at the schedule for the station, then send your tracks by email to the main station email address (in our case, studio@6towns.co.uk), but don't forget to mark it FAO (For the Attention Of) a particular show or presenter if that's relevant.
That way, people are far more likely to listen to your music. Basically, do your research.

Have you submitted the correct format?
Check what a station requires. At 6Towns, we tend to prefer 320 kb/ps MP3 files. Other stations usually prefer the same, including the BBC - but it's worth checking.

What have you said in your email?
When you approach a station or a presenter, be polite. You'll get further. Have you sent a brief biography? Maybe a small picture along with your track(s). Have you provided links to your Facebook/Myspace/Soundcloud/Bandcamp pages? Some free downloads for Radio/Press? Presenters might want to find out more about you before committing.

Should you send a hard copy?
Well, that's up to you. Radio stations get a great amount of post as well as emails. If you think that your email may go unnoticed, then maybe you should try contacting the relevant presenter? Do they prefer Email submissions or hard copies? We're human afterall, and sometimes, it's nice to hold a physical CD and see how the band comes across. This isn't always necessary, but it's worth considering.

Why do you want to get played on the station?
Are you a band local to the station you're aiming for? In that case, you may have an advantage. For instance, at 6Towns we have "Stoke Sounds" and "Radicals Rising" - both shows pay particular attention to bands from North Staffs, but also consider "The Independent & Unsigned Show" and "Loose Canon," who also play local bands, independent, unsigned, etc.
Maybe submit to all the shows - we're not jealous of each other! If a station is local to you, then you can let the presenters know about your upcoming gigs or events and request that they're plugged on the show(s) alongside your track(s).
Leading on from that, if you're doing a tour, contact local stations and BBC regionals that are on your itinerary. Tell them you're happy to do interviews - in person or via phone/Skype and that you're happy to come in and play live or do a session for them. It'll add interest to your band and also give the station a more interesting newsworthy angle for your band/music.

Here's an example of what I'd consider to be a good email when submitting your music:

Dear (presenter's name)
Please find, attached, a copy of our new single, "xxxxxxxxxx" which we'll be releasing via iTunes, Amazon, Our label/free download on xx/xx/xx.
We're also attaching a brief biography of our band, including our upcoming tour dates and some previous brief reviews of our music from other stations/blogs/magazines.
We'd be very grateful if you would consider our music for airplay on your show and would be happy to be available for interviews should you wish. Alternatively, if you feel that our music would be more appropriate for another show on your station, we'd be grateful if you could forward this email accordingly.

Contact emails/Phone numbers

Thank you for your time, we look forward to hearing from you,

(name/band name)

Now, that doesn't take too much time or thought, does it? It could mean the difference between radio play and wondering where you went wrong...

So, best of luck with submitting your tracks. And best of luck with promoting your music!

- Chris