Getting Booked for an Interview

Having just finished evaluating over 30 artists that were submitted to me, I felt this to be a good time to lend some specific insights as to what might be factoring into the results you’re getting (or not getting) as it relates to trying to get on TV shows or radio or podcast interviews.

While it’s true, artists are certainly welcome to send an email for consideration to be on “Now Hear This Entertainment,” there are websites out there (such as MusicSubmit.com, to name just one) that you can use to streamline getting your music and supporting information to disc jockeys, show hosts, producers, and other key booking personnel.

This blog may come across as all of the things you shouldn’t do, but that simply means that the opposite of these should provide the list of what you should be doing.  The lessons gained from this can save you from wasting your time as well as that of the person you are submitting to.

In no particular order, let’s start with the frustrations I met when pulling up the submissions sent to me, only to see that the artist had no social media whatsoever.  This leaves the evaluator with a few impressions: (1) you don’t have any (which obviously seems unheard of in 2016), (2) you didn’t take the time to do something as simple as fill in that information, which would imply that you’re lazy or not serious enough about your music, or (3) that your music is just a hobby and you want to see if someone out there might actually think more of it.

On a related note, I had one artist where I clicked on the Facebook icon – which is only populated if they have a Facebook page – and nothing happened.  I’m far more patient than the average music reviewer will be, so know that something that simple can lead them to say, “Next!”

Similarly, when I click on someone’s Facebook icon and it takes me to their personal page, meaning that I can send them a friend request but not see a total number of likes if it were a Page, that tells me that (1) you directed me to the wrong page, (2) you don’t have a music page on Facebook, or possibly even (3) you are embarrassed by the low number of Likes you do have on your music page.  Of course, none of these are good.

For those that do have good links going to social media, yes, Likes on Facebook, followers on Twitter (and Instagram), and plays (and even subscribers) on YouTube are very important.  Not only do they show the potential audience that you might bring to a show (how many people you can expose to your appearance by posting on your various social media platforms), but, it sends a message of how many people are going to care if you’re on a show.  This is very much like record labels and venues looking to see how much of a following you have for purposes of purchasing music and tickets, respectively.

Furthermore, you might have numerous social media channels, but if the last time you put up an original post yourself (meaning, not Sharing something on Facebook or re-tweeting) was, say, three (or more!) months ago, that does not reflect well on your attention to detail and consistency.

And certainly, yes, it should go without saying that it could even boil down to the potential reviewer’s, the potential booker’s, taste in music.  If what they hear isn’t their cup of tea or it has a poor recording quality, those could be determining factors in you getting a No, or even not even getting a response.

Hopefully you’ve read this and found yourself saying, “Not me,” and can get yourself booked this week on more shows.