How Does an Indie Artist transform Social Media Numbers into Stardom? Social media requires viewers to actively seek out new music and new artists. Even with tons of followers, how do these artists break through and truly make it big? It was radio airplay that broke them and got these artists social media numbers that propelled them to stardom. The articles are countless that radio is the sure fire way for a musician to make it in today’s market. Radio play remains crucial to the success of any musician who seeks out that kind of fame and lasting recognition. Radio continues to play a major role in exposing rising talent to a broad audience.
It wasn’t until Carli B. took her social media superstardom to the airwaves which allowed to her reach vast new audiences. These audiences that might have passed her over otherwise helped turn her into a mega-star.
A good chunk of the hottest stars from Ed Sheeran to Alessia Cara to Charlie Puth, got picked up by record labels after building huge networks of followers online. For all of these huge stars, the catalyst that propelled them from social media to mainstream international stars is the tried-and-true medium of radio.
From an article on Flypaper says “Spotify and Pandora have helped to change the landscape of music discovery. Technology has that effect on all of us”. However, these newer methods of music discovery have not replaced the stalwarts of the past. Too often, musicians who have only ventured into the realms of digital streaming assume that radio is a thing of the past, that people aren’t listening to it anymore. That couldn’t be more wrong.
The main reason why radio still matters is because it provides a human connection between music and an engaged audience. The difference between what radio does and what music streaming services do has everything to do with the human connection and experience. Streaming services typically play song after song, with the only transition coming during a commercial break. There is no introduction of the next song, no insights or backstory of the artists presented. It’s a hands-off presentation of music, with no one assuming responsibility for the choice.
There’s a really talented artist with a guitar somewhere who wants to make it big but thinks he doesn’t need radio. Artists will spend thousands on production with no money left for self promotion. He/she envisions stardom just by creating a YouTube video every week for their subscribers. He’s wrong, and he’s not following the advice of those who have been there before him. He’s probably pretty great. But without the radio, there is a whole segment of enthusiastic listeners who will never get a chance to hear him and make him a music powerhouse. Radio continues to be a player in the music media world.
Consult with Musik Radio Promotions on how to get worldwide radio airplay.