College Radio: The Most Important Radio Level for Musicians

For the self-promoting independent artist, the idea ofhave a combined student population of 6,236,455.*
takingThere are also 1,835 private 4-year colleges and
on a radio promotion campaign can, in itself, becomeuniversities with a combined student population of
overwhelming. But, this idea is usually based on such3,440,953.* Additionally, there exists 1,081 public
artists2-year colleges with a
attempting to obtain worldwide airplay on a localcombined student population of 5,996,701.* Even
budget.And, in doing so, self-promoting independentfurther, 621 private 2-year colleges host another
artists quickly253,878 students.This brings the average U. S.
discover another factor not usually consideredstudent population total to a
previously...whopping 15,927,987 minimum every year. And,
that engaging in a worldwide radio promotionmore
campaignpeople are attending some form of higher education
translates to hundreds and, possibly, thousands ofthan
CD unitsever before.Now, even the least popular music
for media contacts alone.As you can see, this cangenres are certain to find
also quickly become a nightmare fora financial comfort zone with a market of almost 16
indie artists, particularly, if the promotion budget onlymillion
allowsunique principals.So, what results could really popular
for the purchase of 1,000-CD packages at acommercial music
time.Starting in the 1980's, college radio became agenres experience, simply by working the various
dominant forceentities of
in not only discovering independent recording artists,the college market, i.e., campus radio, campus press,
but alsocampus
in introducing new artists to the general public.bookstores, campus music stores, campus live
Hundreds ofperformances?
these particular artists have gone on to becomeQuite pleasant ones, I would suspect.But, remember!
establishedThe above statistics only reference the
'household' names.Likewise, the college radio level hasUnited States college/university potential listenership.
a continued history ofCollege
presenting, practically, all forms of music, much ofradio also has a respectable portion of listeners who
whichare *not*
would never see the proverbial light of day at thestudents.Add to that, listeners of college radio who
commercialstrictly listen to the
radio level and, in many cases, neither at the nonstreaming portion of college radio online, and who
commercialmay, or
level.Therefore, if an artist has limited funds for radiomay not, be in the college's geographical area, i.e.,
promotion, itmilitary
is highly advisable that the he begin exclusively withservice members.Plus, there is lot more of the
collegecollege market abroad, of which
radio for the following reasons:* Far easier andU. S.-based artists would do well to approach English-
faster access to airwaves* Far more plentifulspeaking nations first, i.e., United Kingdom, Australia,
specialty and mix shows and programs* GreaterIreland,
chances for both in-studio and telephone interviewssubsequently, moving into additional nations.While it
to promote music releases* More possibilities formay (or may not) be true that it is possible for
station ID checks for further publicity* Correspondingcommercial radio stations to be the primary driving
college campus newspapers that will moreforce
readily accept and support music aired on theirbehind most retail sales, that theory may not be so
campusvalid
stations for creating a campus-wide buzz* A readytoday, given the fact that:* With the Internet,
and built-in market in the campus community forartists are no longer required to sell
repeated live performances to further support andmillions of CDs to make a great living financially*
supplementArtists have greater and easier access to far more
campus airplay and campus press coverage* Anradio
opportunity for grassroots distribution throughstations (broadcast, satellite, internet, college)* With
supplyingthe college community, and all of its combined
both campus bookstores and campus music storespromotion and sales aspects (radio, bookstores,
withmusic stores,
music releasesIs the college market a viable marketlive performances), if conducted correctly, the
for your music sales?Though the question is rhetoricalcollege market
in nature, please review thecampaign can equalize and, in some cases, even
below U. S. college population statistics:* There aresupersede
631 public 4-year colleges and universities thatcommercial radio results.