Tips on compiling the perfect radio playlist... please?!?!
Question:
Tips on compiling the perfect radio playlist... please?!?
Answers: you need to know your listeners and what they want
regards x kitti x Easy,put on the tunes that people want to here First of all - beauty is in the eye of the beholder and personal preference is exactly that - personal - no matter how 'perfect' you percieve the playlist - there is always going to be those who it does not appeal to.
Selecting your target audience is the first step, which is usually based on the demographics the radio station(s) you wish to broadcast. It is probably best you find a station in which your own personal values are aligned with so you can be passionate about your program.
Radio stations use 'rotations' to classify their music - ie chart, new music, classic and then by genre - house, disco, techno, the dredded pop(ular?), etc...
Have a listen to your favorite radio stations and analyse their programming policy based on the rotations and genres - you will notice they chop and change for variety and to capture a wider audience.
If one of the stations you like is community based you'd probably find you are very welcome if you volunteer, a couple of bucks these days will get you some training as well. This is how a school friend of mine started back in the 80s, now he's a top level manager of one of australia's major commercial radio stations.
Then you have to consider presentation - is it going to be radio edits butted together or is it going to be a dj mixset (beat-mixed). If you're looking at a dj-mixed set then there are a whole lot of factors such as BPM, harmonics etc... that you need to consider and it takes a lot of experimentation to get the mix 'perfect' particularly if you want to outdo ministry of sound or one of the high profile DJ's.
Leave room for advertising / sponsorships - 5 minutes per hour minimum (community radio) - more for commercial - they should give you an idea how they want your program segmented.
Remember that radio is a form of 'show business' and as such will flourish, survive or die because of the only strength that matters - popularity - so choose your music and your presentation methods wisely - and be consistent but not predictable.
Radio may seem to you like the best and most prestigeous job in the world but I can tell you from someone who has produced dj-mixed programs for a couple of years that the one thing that is harder than perfecting your playlist is getting paid well for it.
If you're a talker then develop a charming magnetic personality that appeals to the general public - if you want to be cheeky at least do it intelligently. Like the average pop song, stupid DJ's lose their novelty fairly quickly.
Like any industry if you want a career get qualified and if you get involved in community radio - treat it as a hobby until your qualifications can back-up your experience (at least a couple of years worth) then opportunities may come of it. Play Good Music! Most people like a good Adult Contemporary and Adult Hits Radio Station, A good one is hard to find. If you are a doing a Adult Contemporary playlist email me, i can give you song good songs and artists. A nothing thing is to remember don't over play songs and artist. People won't be happy when they hear the same artist ever few hours!!! Also, if you have to run your station name, do it ever 3 songs, if its after ever song it gets annoying. Just go to R & R, or billboard.com, you can pick from those to get you started, and then add some songs that you love. Also check out Yahoo Music, especially Yahoo Launchcast... it has helped me a lot with music! You can even make your own personalized radio station! I've been using mine for years now.
music.yahoo.com Use a scheduler. Powergold or Selector work nice.