|
|
|
|
For the self-promoting independent artist, the idea of takingon a radio promotion campaign can, in itself, becomeoverwhelming. But, this idea is usually based on such artistsattempting to obtain worldwide airplay on a local budget.
And, in doing so, self-promoting independent artists quicklydiscover another factor not usually considered previously...that engaging in a worldwide radio promotion campaigntranslates to hundreds and, possibly, thousands of CD unitsfor media contacts alone.
As you can see, this can also quickly become a nightmare forindie artists, particularly, if the promotion budget only allowsfor the purchase of 1,000-CD packages at a time.
Starting in the 1980's, college radio became a dominant forcein not only discovering independent recording artists, but alsoin introducing new artists to the general public. Hundreds ofthese particular artists have gone on to become established'household' names.
Likewise, the college radio level has a continued history ofpresenting, practically, all forms of music, much of whichwould never see the proverbial light of day at the commercialradio level and, in many cases, neither at the non commerciallevel.
Therefore, if an artist has limited funds for radio promotion, itis highly advisable that the he begin exclusively with collegeradio for the following reasons:
* Far easier and faster access to airwaves
* Far more plentiful specialty and mix shows and programs
* Greater chances for both in-studio and telephone interviewsto promote music releases
* More possibilities for station ID checks for further publicity
* Corresponding college campus newspapers that will morereadily accept and support music aired on their campusstations for creating a campus-wide buzz
* A ready and built-in market in the campus community forrepeated live performances to further support and supplementcampus airplay and campus press coverage
* An opportunity for grassroots distribution through supplyingboth campus bookstores and campus music stores withmusic releases
Is the college market a viable market for your music sales?
Though the question is rhetorical in nature, please review thebelow U. S. college population statistics:
* There are 631 public 4-year colleges and universities thathave a combined student population of 6,236,455.
* There are also 1,835 private 4-year colleges anduniversities with a combined student population of 3,440,953.
* Additionally, there exists 1,081 public 2-year colleges with acombined student population of 5,996,701.
* Even further, 621 private 2-year colleges host another253,878 students.
This brings the average U. S. student population total to awhopping 15,927,987 minimum every year. And, morepeople are attending some form of higher education thanever before.
Now, even the least popular music genres are certain to finda financial comfort zone with a market of almost 16 millionunique principals.
So, what results could really popular commercial musicgenres experience, simply by working the various entities ofthe college market, i.e., campus radio, campus press, campusbookstores, campus music stores, campus live performances?Quite pleasant ones, I would suspect.
But, remember! The above statistics only reference theUnited States college/university potential listenership. Collegeradio also has a respectable portion of listeners who are *not*students.
Add to that, listeners of college radio who strictly listen to thestreaming portion of college radio online, and who may, ormay not, be in the college's geographical area, i.e., militaryservice members.
Plus, there is lot more of the college market abroad, of whichU. S.-based artists would do well to approach English-speaking nations first, i.e., United Kingdom, Australia, Ireland,subsequently, moving into additional nations.
While it may (or may not) be true that it is possible forcommercial radio stations to be the primary driving forcebehind most retail sales, that theory may not be so validtoday, given the fact that:
* With the Internet, artists are no longer required to sell millions of CDs to make a great living financially
* Artists have greater and easier access to far more radiostations (broadcast, satellite, internet, college)
* With the college community, and all of its combinedpromotion and sales aspects (radio, bookstores, music stores,live performances), if conducted correctly, the college marketcampaign can equalize and, in some cases, even supersedecommercial radio results.______________________________________________
[---Additional Statistics---]
Top 10 College Enrollment:
Miami-Dade College (51,717)
University of Texas at Austin (50,616)
Ohio State University (48,477)
University of Minnesota-Twin Cities (46,597)
University of Florida (46,516)
Arizona State University (45,693)
Texas A&M University (44,618)
Michigan State University (44,227)
University of Wisconsin Madison (40,912)
Pennsylvania State University at University Park (40,828)
(The above figures were reported in Almanac 2004-2005,published by the Chronicle of Higher Education,August 27, 2004.)______________________________________
What College Students Spend on Music:
According to a recent Harris Interactive survey, collegestudents spend $200 billion...that's right...BILLION dollarsper year, with 76% of the students having spent $2,746,000on music alone.
Note: As an added advantage, the self-promoting independentartist should also create an Internet radio promotion campaignsimultaneously, since most 'net stations are accepting of MP3files for airplay, thus, reducing packaging and shipping costsof CDs to stations.
You have permission to publish this article electronically or in print, free of charge, as long as the bylines are included. A courtesy copy of your publication would be appreciated.
About the Author:
Kenny Love is president of MuBiz.com, a radio promotion, media publicity and music business/career firm for musicians. He is also the author of "Explosive CD $ales Tips," as well as publisher of The B# Newsletter, a highly informative music business resource. Visit his website at http://www.MuBiz.com
 ABC News | Classical music hits YouTube smudailycampus.com, TX - Dun, best known for his Grammy Award winning scores for "Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon" and more recently the official music for the 2008 Beijing Olympics, ... Introducing YouTube's orchestra... paidContent.org - Broadband Content Bits: YouTube Goes Classical ... Getting to Carnegie via YouTube |
Shazam adds 2 million tracks to music library CNET News, CA - Mobile-music discovery provider Shazam announced on Thursday that it has increased its music database from 6 million tracks to 8 million tracks, ... Shazam: eight million songs of the eternal Now Shazam Amplifies Music Database by a Third Adding Another 2 Million Songs, Shazam Grows Database by 30% |
Classical Music/Opera Listings New York Times, United States - The program also takes advantage of Mr. Levine’s passion for playing piano chamber music: it begins with Mr. Levine and Mr. Barenboim playing Schubert’s F ... |
 New York Times | ‘Tis the Music for Being Cautiously Optimistic New York Times, United States - Consciously or not, much of this year’s new holiday music expresses some anxiety about whether the old modes of merriment still matter. ... Tune to sounds of the season Connick, Crow highlight new holiday releases |
 National Post | Folk music, civil rights legend Odetta dies at 77 The Associated Press - First coming to prominence in the 1950s, she influenced Harry Belafonte, Joan Baez, Bob Dylan and other superstars of the folk music boom. ... Odetta Holmes dies at 77; folk singer championed black history ... Inspirational Folk Music Legend Odetta Dies at 77 Odetta left message of hope |
 WELT ONLINE | The LA Times music blog Los Angeles Times, CA - Robert Plant and Alison Krauss didn't just make extraordinary music when they teamed for their "Raising Sand" album. They also gave Grammy voters everything ... Farber: Music sales won this year's Grammy nominations NASHVILLE SKYLINE: Grammy Nominations Acknowledge Country Music ... Grammy nominations a snooze |
 AFP | Plans for Salzburg Sound of Music hotel hit sour note AFP - VIENNA (AFP) — The former home of the Trapp family, made famous by the 1965 film "The Sound of Music," will not re-open as a hotel after all following ... Austria's Salzburg resists "Sound of Music" hotel London's Sound of Music to Close in February 2009 Plan for 'Sound of Music' hotel blocked in Austria |
 E! Online | Music revs up this 'Cadillac' USA Today - By Eric Liebowitz, Sony TriStar Pictures, via AP By Claudia Puig, USA TODAY Though the music in Cadillac Records hums along powerfully, the film could use a ... 'Cadillac Records—: Good music, shaky history In 'Cadillac Records,' the music's electrifying but the details ... 'Cadillac Records:' Watch it for the music -- and then the stars ... |
 BBC News | Musicians tap new revenue model BBC News, UK - By Maggie Shiels With CD sales in decline the music industry is looking for novel ways to recover some of its dwindling revenue. ... iPhone Music Game Tap Tap Revenge Hits the Floor In Sequel Tap Tap ... Games, music dominate Top 10 iPhone applications in 2008 Musicians 'Tap Tap' iPhone |
 New York Daily News | My music life PSU The Clock, NH - A documentary educates the viewer, "Britney: For the Record" is more like a "reality" show to help a struggling music artist make a comeback. ... Exclusive: ET's Extended Preview of Britney Spears' Music Video ... The Shuffle: Baby, one more time? A generation says goodbye |
| Top of Page home Bookmark Us Now ctrl+d 1st 4 Music, shopping via 1st4music cost no more than going direct and can often save you money with special offers. with questions or comments about this website |