Content for the Internet Radio Industry

It's common knowledge that producing content for an online radio station is a relatively easy task. What's not so well-known is that producing interesting, quality content, consistently, is not so easy; fact is that it's downright difficult, time consuming, and extremely hard to get noticed.

"Content is not king, contrary to what you've heard. Good content that's found is king."

If you need evidence of the above claim, try going to any number of online radio stations. You can quit when it becomes apparent that they're all following the same plan. 1) For music it's play a few songs, say something about the station, play a few more songs, and repeat. 2) For talk stations it's open the mike with relatively little plotted out on where you're going, hoping that sheer talent will get you through. Neither strategy is effective in an age where the consumer has thousands of choices across multiple platforms, found mostly through search or a friend's recommendation.

Despite hearing how much "compelling content" is being produced, there's a Black Hole in the content universe. It's a place where stations personalize your playlist, and do little more. Or, it's where you can interact with friends in chat rooms until you're bored by the "me, me, me" buzz. And, of course, you always have the option of tuning into the broadcast radio industry's reflection of what an online experience should be - complete with six-minute commercial breaks (which may or may not be filled with silence, online).

Content is not king, contrary to what you've heard. Good content that's found is king. It helps if you succeed in getting it highly listed in a search engine - under a relative term - or when people to talk about it. The latter is happening less these days, and the former is stuck where it was a decade ago. Radio programming just isn't making its way to the top of the search engine return.

So how does an online radio industry succeed on a station-by-station basis? The most important rule to follow is don't try and make all content yourself; use syndication services, indie artists, sign up for entertainment bites and bits of information pertinent to your audience.

Since 2003, Audio Graphics has been providing indie artists to online radio. The industry can benefit, because each artist signs a waiver giving the online radio stations using this music permission to do so for free. RRadio Music is where all that an online station needs to do is request a song, or songs.

For programs there's another Audio Graphics approach that helps: "Intro to Indie Artists," a series of programs a station subscribes to. Listen to each of the genres and place your order - free: Country, Dance, Jazz, Rap, Pop, Hard Rock, and Rock.

Soon I'll have information about another item targeted for the radio industry, online and off. As this gains steam, you'll discover it is a unique, short program with content that's on everyone's mind. And, like all other Audio Graphics content, it will be provided free to subscribing stations.

Having "quality content" is what everyone leads with, but your own sampling of what's out there will show its evasive at best.

As a radio station programmer or owner - whether you are an enthusiastic amateur or tech savvy professional - the content placed within your station's sound is what brings people back. It's what grows an audience.

And that which we will soon introduce here is so top-of-mind that you'll be asking why is this not being done in the radio industry today? The reason may be that it's easier to say you have compelling content than it is to produce it.

Internet radio stations will very soon have an AG solution which sounds different, and brings the audience back. And what's best for you is that this content is free.

A Country artist to consider: Andy and the Rockers

sample song

Down Home Kentucky Download Song Tweet

We listen for songs that evoke emotion; fast, slow, female, male, group, it doesn't matter. When an artist has the power to please, they should be given a chance to be heard.

Give Andy and the Rockers's "Down Home Kentucky" a listen.

Add it to your playlist, free! Such is the new world of music distribution.

It's time internet radio programmers reach into a huge pile of untapped talent.
It is here where new hit songs will increasingly be found.





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