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HOW TO GET SYNDICATED

D

deltas69

Brief radio history: almost forty years in radio/live music/audio engineering, etc in short I would consider my self a professional in this line of work.have a DJ of the year award as well as a gold record..but..that's not important..i have an internet stream that has been up for about nine months, so do a lot of people..but my station does not play the same old 300 songs over and over..i program a rock/top 40/ac/classic hits/..what ever the latest term may be with over 5000 tunes, vintage spots and jingles. i have a small but loyal following two nights per week with an average "hit" of 150 per night and about 25 or so listening at any given time. this comes without any promotion other than some mentions on my face book page and word of mouth in the local area. I need information on how i can syndicate this program and actually make a few dollars. I've heard other programs,and some are really good..others very predictable..my show is this: you sign in..and what you get is what I'm doing..I realize there must be set in stone breaks etc..just want to get an ideas on how to start the ball rolling on my end. I've listened to literally hundreds of internet stations on live 365,Shout cast, etc..nothing even comes close to what i do live two nights per week from six til midnight. i would like input on how to do this by offering the show to stations that fall within my selected genre' of music, '63 through '93. i have professional equipment, a cam and the experience it off..i would be grateful if someone could point me in the proper direction to get the ball rolling..thanks..Chuck Lundi
 
Follow the link below it has helped me (buy the book too)

Check out www.rdub.com if you're wondering about trying syndication or knows someone who is.
 
With 40 years in the business, maybe an agent would be a better idea than a how to book of testimonials.
 
An agent probably won't be able to get you syndicated, unless you're already famous and/or a household name. The first chapter in my book talks about no matter how good of a jock you are, or how successful your show is locally, chances are slim to none of a syndicator picking you up without already having a handful of affiliates signed on. The trick is gathering all those affiliates FIRST, then pitching your show, WITH established audience, to a syndicator. The book expands on that, and tells you how to build a station list on your own. I hope you find it helpful!
 
Well, I will not be one of the people making you rich like people who paid money to that guy who sold how to get rich books for $39.99 on TV.

I am betting that Tom Kent, Mike Harvey, Dick Clark, Goddard, Dick Bartley were not always household names, and they made it just fine. Moreover, it is my understanding that the likes of Dick Bartley have even helped some who have been displaced in today's radio market to find work in radio again, right down to how to package themselves in promo pics, etc. How long they last depends upon the manner in which they conduct themselves once they are turned loose to run on their own.

That is what a successful person does, who knows how to handle stature and standing...and that is what he has done. The others I have named have probably done the same thing.

But I do commend you for trying to make a dime, even while riding coattails of a few names.
 
Well for your info, I have not, and don't plan on making any money off this book. I wrote it because I felt there was a demand out there to learn the "tricks" of syndicating from nothing. I'd get calls every week or so from peers in the industry asking how I did it...the answer was never short, usually I'd spend two hours on the phone with each person. After awhile, I finally felt the need to put pen to paper and tell my story, the stories of others, and document the whole syndication process in a few, easy to read steps.

Whether you buy my book or not, I could care less, but I'd hope you'd give the benefit of the doubt to "reading" in general. There's something to be said for learning directly from those who have
"done it already," and why wouldn't you want to hear how people like Dr. Laura, Art Laboe, Bill Handel and other successes have done it?
 
P.S. When you said "I am betting that Tom Kent, Mike Harvey, Dick Clark, Goddard, Dick Bartley were not always household names, and they made it just fine."...

I never said non-household names couldn't make it fine...that's what this WHOLE book is about! I just said that getting an agent to get you syndicated probably won't work. The trick is gathering your own station list FIRST and THEN approaching the big syndication companies. It takes a lot of hard, tedious work, on your own, to build an affiliate-list. That's just a fact, and every major syndicator will tell you that. In fact, they too are all interviewed in the book, and tell you what they are and aren't looking for.

Just trying to help.
 
R Dub's book has helped my show (s) alot. I read the book alot and still do.
 
snailboy recommended the book to me... A lot of it I had already learned the hard way, there's some stuff in there that I didn't know and was able to add to my toolbox... I'll keep using some of the points in it as a reference point and think anyone who's clueless about radio syndication should have a read.

Actually, it did answer one problem I was going through with my company and now offer direct download to heavier clients to make things easier on them... so yeah, you'll get something out of it, that's for sure.
 
I, for one, would love to know how the big ones do it. I have this feeling in my gut that I can do it. I don't know what all to do, but I know I can do it. Maybe that doesn't make sense.... I believe in myself and my show. I personally would love to be at a station that would allow me to express my creativity and I feel the only way to do that is to just say to hell with it and "try" to start my own broadcasting company type thing. Of course I would have to win the lotto first because as many radio people know, we don't make that much money. I am not in it to be rich, I want my family and I to be comfortable. To me, it would be making more money than I do right now.
 
RedStateTalkRadio said:
It was worth whatever it was that I paid for Rdub's book, just to hear his story. That being said, the content was valuable as well.
Click to expand...

So, are you syndicated now?
 
I have been doing this for 1 year and 9 stations later. One thing that has helped me is I hired a radio talent coach to get me focus on content (music and information about the artists) I do all the production for both shows and promos and upload everything to the server for the stations. I don't make any money off the shows. I put a lot out (liners for 2 shows, web space, web master, radio talent coach)
 
Congrats on the book! If you ever want to trade a Cookbook for your book give me a yell. But besides the tips, good ones from what I read here, I think many people should never underestimate what hard work and elbow grease can do.

Get the book by rdub, I don't have it, but I trust the opinion of many seasoned posters here. Read it, try it out. At the same time, work, practice, make contacts etc. I started my short format show as filler for my racing show on a local ESPN affiliate. I added a filler ad for my cookbooks.

I have not made a single penny off the show in the way of checks or cash. But it does get my cookbook and culinary book name out, It is a great avenue for PSA efforts I do as a spokesperson. I know that book sales have increased in several affilate cities where the program runs, in other markets not so much. Regardless... it's fun.

And, I have made some great friends.

OH - Keep records for your tax guy! Computer, programs, space you record in. There may be some deductions available. It's worth looking into.

So I guess it is how you judge success.
 
Thanks Rdub! Hey - The swap for a cookbook still stands! ;D And I mean it about the taxes. I have several friends that have done voice over work, some under the table, but many with forms from the stations etc. And I dare say every one filed 1040ez. I founds a tax guy that was a real tax guy. Not a quick trained person at a seasonal tx prep shop. I tried the online HR block software and was getting back $56 bucks. Mind you, I get royalty checks - small - but still checks every qrt. He ran the numbers, added in my equipment, car, phones, internet, computers etc plus my office space which is legal and I ended up getting a couple a thousand. The first year sucked as far as getting info for him. But now I know what to save etc, and since it's all in his server he can adjust it each year.

Worth thinking about for this upcoming tax season.
 
I just signed my 10th station yesterday in my home town! The book is a gold mine.
 
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