Airplay 101 - How to Request Clay - Version 2008 - Voting, Streaming and Airplay - CLAY WORLD - The Clayboard - A Clay Aiken Message Board - Message Board

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Airplay 101 - How to Request Clay - Version 2008

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Elspeth	Airplay 101 - How to Request Clay - Version 2008	Lead	[-]
Posts: 22523 (05/08/08 11:14 AM) Former Board Owner on a desert highway straight to the heart of the sun Reply Quote More Recent Posts Message Friend Blocking Invite Ignore User's Posts	As you all know Clay has given us some guidelines on how to request airplay. We thought it would be a good idea to have a thread about airplay with everything in one place that you might need on your quest to get airplay for this amazing CD. 1. Focus only on Adult Contemporary or Hot AC stations. See below for more information about these formats and how to ascertain a station's format. 2. Request the current single. Right now that's OMWH. 3. Request only from LOCAL stations. You should be in their coverage area to make a request. See below on how to ascertain if you are in a station's coverage area if you're not sure. 4. Request once per day or every other day at the most SUBJECT TO #7 (below). 5. If you're making a request on line DO NOT click on links on the message boards that will directly take you to requests. Stations can trace where it came from and it will look like spam. Instead, copy-paste these links to your browser. 6. If you are making requests to a station, keep it consistent. One of the largest indications of spam has been that a station will get hundreds of request one night, and 4 the next night 7. If you've been making requests for a while and don't seem to be getting anywhere or they say they're not going to play him, move on. Don't argue with them, don't keep requesting, all that will do is irritate them. Maybe next time, they will play him and we don't want to burn any bridges for Clay. Thanks to Claydorkable and Elenya1 for their work in 2003 which provided the framework for this thread. Last Edited By: Elspeth 05/15/08 3:17 PM. Edited 10 times.
Elspeth		#1	[-]
Posts: 22523 (05/08/08 11:15 AM) Former Board Owner on a desert highway straight to the heart of the sun Reply Quote More Recent Posts Message Friend Blocking Invite Ignore User's Posts	1. What are monitored stations. how do they work and why are they important? Monitored stations are those that are "monitored" for airplay. The amount of airplay on these stations is reflected in the rankings of a song on Billboard, Records and Radio, and All-Access Mediabase charting. The amount of airplay on these monitored stations determines ranking of a song for Billboard charting and countdowns like Casey Kasem. Billboard's system is used to determine the Billboard Top 40 which is based on airplay alone. This is what Rick Dees counts down. If you have limited time and a billboard monitored station in your area it's best to focus your efforts on that station as it usually is the one with a large audience. Airplay + weekly sales determines Billboard Hot 100 ranking. It is, of course, important that you listen to a station that you enjoy whether it is a monitored station or not. But if your favorite station is not on this list - try finding a local monitored station that you enjoy! Your listening area may also include stations in a nearby state. For instance, many people in Connecticut can tune into some New York stations.... For those who cannot find monitored stations in their listening area - try listening to an online streaming monitored station! 2. What are the different radio station formats should we focus on? Adult Contemporary, or "AC", is often known as "Light Rock" or "Soft Rock". Think music from the last three decades, with no rough edges such as in rap or rock. These stations cater to the above 30 crowd. Some subdivisions of AC include: " Hot Adult Contemporary" stations play a mix of current popular hits, such as those found on Top-40 stations, and unobtrusive pop and light-rock hits from the past thirty years, such as those usually played on regular AC stations. "Modern Adult Contemporary" stations take this concept one step further in that they play a mix of older pop hits with current "Alternative Rock" or "Modern Rock" hits. Soft AC: Comprises a mix heavy in ballads, and less upbeat music from the last four decades, and is targeted for the listener over 35 years old. Typical AC Artists include: LeAnn Rhimes, Matchbox Twenty, Dido, Backstreet Boys, Faith Hill, 'N Sync, Christina Aguilera, Phil Collins, Elton John, Peter Gabriel, Lee Ann Wormack, Ricky Martin, Don Henley Both Hot AC and Modern AC stations cater to a younger audience then regular AC stations. 3. What is top 40? Should we focus on those stations too? No. Top 40 also known as Current Hit Radio (CHR) these stations focus their play lists on the top-40 hits of the national music charts. The music includes the most popular hits in pop, rock, R&B, and hip hop. The target audience is young adults between the ages of 15 and 30. Typical artists heard on Top-40 stations include: Christina Aguilera, Brittney Spears, Lil' Kim, Mya, Pink, Janet Jackson, Jennifer Lopez, Nelly Furtado, Usher, Mariah Carey, Rhianna and Madonna. Clay has indicated that we should NOT focus on top 40. So please do not request him at your top 40 stations. 4. What if there are no monitored stations in my area, do I still need to request Clay? Absolutely yes. All airplay is good for Clay. The more people that hear his music the better. Many people decide to buy a CD because they hear it on the radio. The more airplay Clay gets the more potential buyers there are for his CD. 5. How do billboard rankings work? The Billboard Top 40 is based entirely on airplay. The Billboard Top 100 chart is based on a combination of sales and airplay. 6. What else can I do? You can stream Clay's songs from monitored stations that broadcast over the Internet. Remember cut and past the link into your browser. Do not click on it directly from this board. More information on streaming stations is in this thread: http://theclayboard.yuku.com/topic/23033 Last Edited By: Elspeth 05/11/08 4:27 PM. Edited 9 times.
Elspeth		#2	[-]
Posts: 22523 (05/08/08 11:34 AM) Former Board Owner on a desert highway straight to the heart of the sun Reply Quote More Recent Posts Message Friend Blocking Invite Ignore User's Posts	Here are a few helpful tips: 1. Join your local station's 'Loyal Listeners Club'!! This is VERY important if you want a voice in the music that your station plays. You can usually find information on how to join on the station's website home page. It may be called "Loyal Listeners" or "VIPs" or "Kiss Club" or "Devotees" or something similar. Some stations also have their own "Music Advisory Board" or "Rate the Music" membership (this is different from the national "Rate the Music"). You will get periodic music samplings to rate. It is a great way to let your station know what music you want to hear - and Clay's music may be on the surveys that you receive! 2. Want to find the listening coverage area of a particular station? *REMEMBER please only make requests to your local stations.* Go to www.radio-locator.com 1) Type in the station's call letters, i.e. WLTW 2) Click go. 3) Click on View Coverage Map. 3. Is your Mediabase station monitored? You can check. Click on Stations Monitored at the top and then choose a catagory under AC http://mmr247.com/mmrweb/AllAccess/ Mediabase - Station Menu: http://mmr247.com/mmrweb/AllAccess/StationLookup7.asp This site will show you the top played songs on a particular station (type in the call letters, i.e. WLTW). This will only show the top 30 songs on a station - so it is possible they are playing Clay's music if it is not on the list. And, if listed, it does not mean Clay's songs are on the station's playlist. Spins also come from syndicated shows, countdown spins, etc. This site is updated frequently. 4. Need help finding a local station? You can find most every radio station in the country (and even the world!). These will be 'monitored' stations and stations that are not monitored. Though monitored stations are great to listen to and request - so is finding a station you enjoy listening to! Go here: www.radio-locator.com 1) Type in your zip code. 2) Click "go" The list will include stations in your area and their frequency, the station's format, the signal strength for the stations to your area, and much more! Click on the underlined station call letters and it will take you to the station's website. Key to listing of Monitored Stations: *Nielsen only (Billboard) ^All-Access Mediabase only +Not on Mediabase monitored station list but in Mediabase database Last Edited By: Elspeth 05/09/08 11:06 AM. Edited 13 times.
Elspeth		#3	[-]
Posts: 22523 (05/09/08 10:31 AM) Former Board Owner on a desert highway straight to the heart of the sun Reply Quote More Recent Posts Message Friend Blocking Invite Ignore User's Posts	We'll leave this thread on the street for a while and then at some point move to the Airplay forum. Last Edited By: Elspeth 05/09/08 5:52 PM. Edited 1 times.
PA4CLAY		#4	[-]
Posts: 4742 (05/09/08 11:05 AM) I think hell is freezing over, Bonnie Reply Quote More Recent Posts Message Friend Blocking Invite Ignore User's Posts	Well, since you moved my thread I will post here: It's working. They like it! I received this from my local Lite station 94.3 fm, Carbondale PA. They just played it. This is the first time I have heard Clay on the radio in 4 years!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Bonnie, Paula told me about your request for the new Clay Aiken song. We auditioned it 2 weeks ago and like the song. It is on our ad list to start next week in regular rotation. I'll see if we can't let it slip in sometime between 10 and 2 today for you. We appreciate your listening to Lite 94.3FM. --
faybelady		#5	[-]
Posts: 1714 (05/09/08 11:43 AM) Reply Quote More Recent Posts Message Friend Blocking Invite Ignore User's Posts	Thank you so much for this thread. I found the "right" station in my area, joined their listeners club and put in my request for OMWH. Fingers crossed.
ClassAkt MK		#6	[-]
Posts: 25098 (05/09/08 11:49 AM) Moderator Clay...Leaving a Legacy Reply Quote More Recent Posts Message Friend Blocking Invite Ignore User's Posts	Thank you for the New and Improved.. Updated 2008 Version of Airplay 101 Els! It's been a long time coming. I hope that we all read and absorb it and check back when we're not quite sure what to do regarding AC and HAC Radio station requesting in our areas! ... --MK
LGinPA		#7	[-]
Posts: 2643 (05/09/08 1:05 PM) Reply Quote More Recent Posts Message Friend Blocking Invite Ignore User's Posts	PA4Clay just got a very postive repsonse to add OMWH to the playlist of WNAK 94.3 LiteFM in Carbondale, PA. But I just checked at the mediabase site, and see it's NOT monitored. But I suppose any exposure is good, right? EEEEEEEEEEEEEeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeee!!! They just played OMWH on WNAK 94.3 Lite Fm here in PA!! They are adding it to their playlist. Too bad it's not monitored. The NEPA fans are also requesting (in a very controlled manner) at 92.9 WMGS in Wilkes-Barre, which is monitored.
GoneClayzy		#8	[-]
Posts: 2517 (05/09/08 1:23 PM) "I Can't Live, If Living Is Without You" Reply Quote More Recent Posts Message Friend Blocking Invite Ignore User's Posts
HopelesslyDevoted		#9	[-]
Posts: 12110 (05/09/08 2:33 PM) Reply Quote More Recent Posts Message Friend Blocking Invite Ignore User's Posts
clayformebaby		#10	[-]
Posts: 1161 (05/09/08 7:47 PM) Too Much Magic To Deny Reply Quote More Recent Posts Message Friend Blocking Invite Ignore User's Posts
Cherie		#11	[-]
Posts: 172 (05/09/08 7:54 PM) Reply Quote More Recent Posts Message Friend Blocking Invite Ignore User's Posts	I sent an e-mail yesterday to Tom Hold from WSRS in Worcester Mass. and talked to him about Clay's new CD. I thanked him for playing Clay in the past and asked if he could play his new single. He wrote me back and said that he heard the CD was out there but hadn't heard from the record company yet. I thought the single was released to radio a few weeks ago. Was this just certain stations? It's kind of senseless to try and request a song when the radio station doesn't even have it.
CLAYGAL		#12	[-]
Posts: 5449 (05/09/08 9:08 PM) No one succeeds alone Reply Quote More Recent Posts Message Friend Blocking Invite Ignore User's Posts
annieg9		#13	[-]
Posts: 21424 (05/09/08 10:26 PM) I WILL BE HERE Reply Quote More Recent Posts Message Friend Blocking Invite Ignore User's Posts
annieg9		#14	[-]
Posts: 21424 (05/09/08 10:28 PM) I WILL BE HERE Reply Quote More Recent Posts Message Friend Blocking Invite Ignore User's Posts	Cherie wrote: I sent an e-mail yesterday to Tom Hold from WSRS in Worcester Mass. and talked to him about Clay's new CD. I thanked him for playing Clay in the past and asked if he could play his new single. He wrote me back and said that he heard the CD was out there but hadn't heard from the record company yet. I thought the single was released to radio a few weeks ago. Was this just certain stations? It's kind of senseless to try and request a song when the radio station doesn't even have it. Shouldn't OMWH have been released to them??
ComfieCozyClay		#15	[-]
Posts: 6699 (05/09/08 11:19 PM) Registered Member Reply Quote More Recent Posts Message Friend Blocking Invite Ignore User's Posts
crazyforclay1130		#16	[-]
Posts: 1516 (05/10/08 12:57 AM) Reply Quote More Recent Posts Message Friend Blocking Invite Ignore User's Posts
clayniac2		#17	[-]
Posts: 12255 (05/10/08 1:05 AM) My heart is dancing through each day... Reply Quote More Recent Posts Message Friend Blocking Invite Ignore User's Posts	Thanks for all of this wonderful information in one place! Very helpful!
NZClay		#18	[-]
Posts: 6495 (05/10/08 1:33 AM) Feel like I'm addicted... I keep coming back for more Reply Quote More Recent Posts Message Friend Blocking Invite Ignore User's Posts	This is a great thread, and I know it would be more suitable for the airplay thread, but I do think more people will see it here on the Street. Just my thoughts... Being an international fan, and with no hope of Clay on the radio airwaves here, I can't help with requests, but I sure can cheer y'all on!!
Rhustress		#19	[-]
Posts: 2616 (05/10/08 9:11 AM) Moderator Clazy and proud of it! Reply Quote More Recent Posts Message Friend Blocking Invite Ignore User's Posts	I sent an e-mail yesterday to Tom Hold from WSRS in Worcester Mass. and talked to him about Clay's new CD. I thanked him for playing Clay in the past and asked if he could play his new single. He wrote me back and said that he heard the CD was out there but hadn't heard from the record company yet. I thought the single was released to radio a few weeks ago. Was this just certain stations? It's kind of senseless to try and request a song when the radio station doesn't even have it. I have known Tom Holt for several years and have had several conversations with him about label promotion. As far as WSRS is concerned, it is most likely just the fact that they are a smaller market station. They will get the CD it just may take a little longer. In fact, I think I will drive one over there on Monday to make sure he has it!
Shycon		#20	[-]
Posts: 16379 (05/10/08 9:24 AM) Heart full of Clay Reply Quote More Recent Posts Message Friend Blocking Invite Ignore User's Posts	Nice to have all this info in one place. Thanks to all who helped compile it. I will be requesting this week.