Q: Why should I hire a jazz radio promoter?
A: Radio is still a major source of music discovery, not just over the airwaves. Stations also offer streaming online and sometimes in a custom radio station app. Jazz radio is primarily on non-profit radio stations. These are radio stations that some listeners pay money to keep supporting the music they love.
A promoter's primary job is to get the music out there for you. It is very time consuming if you do it yourself. This is a full time job!
A promoter also serves as an intermediary. The hardest part of the programmer's job (Shaunna has been there…) is telling artists directly (rather than telling a promoter) "no". It can be disheartening for an artist to directly hear *no* or *pass* from programmers. Even if many programmers are playing an artist's album, every "no" an artist hears directly can hurt more than hearing it from a promoter -- especially if an artist is spending hours a day tracking down programmers.
Q: Will Jazzzdog work my record just because I want them to?
A: We do need to listen to it first, and be sure the recording is something that will fit well in the national jazz radio world. Shaunna was a Jazz programmer for a major market Jazz station for over a decade (and also worked with syndication and NPR Music during that time), and has a pretty good pulse on all the little things that make or break a release for airplay purposes. She will go through your release track-by-track and make some notes Every album deserves that attention. If the album doesn’t quite fit, she’ll provide feedback.
Q: Who do we send the record to?
A: Send it to Shaunna. Please either send digital files (via Dropbox, Wetransfer, Hightail…whatever file transfer service you prefer) to jazzzdog@me.com. Hard copies of can be mailed to: Shaunna Machosky, Jazzzdog Promotions, 877 Kennebec Street, Pittsburgh, PA 15217.
Q: Why do I need to have an actual, physical cd in this modern digital world?
A: That is what some radio programmers prefer. A number of stations still play music from cd. When they play music from digital delivery systems, a cd provides reliable backup when things fail and music needs to be encoded again, or cd players have to fill in. Always count on technology failing. Have you ever had part of your music library go down with a computer? Many programmers still really, really love liner notes, too. We do make downloads available to absolutely everyone as well.
Q: What is our phone number?
A: Shaunna Machosky (412) 600-5329 office/cell -- calls during 9-5 business hours (ET) are always preferred. If you need an evening or weekend call (especially West coast and International folks), just let Shaunna know ahead of time. No problem!
Q: What is our address?
A: Jazzzdog Promotions, c/o Shaunna Machosky, 877 Kennebec Street, Pittsburgh, PA 15217.
Q: Is there a good time or a bad time to release a record?
A: Well, not really…but sometimes Fall is still a bit busier for the major labels (which can make the field a little more crowded for indie competition). Jazzzdog always discusses street dates and mailing schedules with potential artists/clients before taking on a project. We will turn a project away if there is a big conflict of interest (like, when we are already scheduled to work a few singers, we don't want our clients to compete against each other) or if we feel an independent release will get buried in the competition.
Q: Will Jazzzdog work my record that I sell exclusively on my website?
A: No. Each artist has to have distribution of some kind. You need to have additional ways for the station listeners to find and purchase your music -- hard copy or digital.
Q: Does Jazzzdog have a negotiable fee?
A: No. All campaigns are the exact same 'Life of the Project' (open-ended flat rate - usually 14-16 weeks, up to 20). That means we keep rolling with a project until it comes to a natural finishing point. Every project deserves the same attention and time.
One exception: We are able to do limited (Nov/Dec) holiday music campaigns if they’re a good fit. We run no more than two holiday campaigns each year. Holiday releases must be available for programmers by November 1st.
Q: Will Jazzzdog work a record for a finite number of weeks?
A: Yes - 20 weeks maximum, though occasionally we go a little longer. The "life of project" program assures that Jazzzdog will work the release as long as programmers are adding it. We don’t pull the plug after eight weeks and say, "Sorry, we're done."
Q: Will Jazzzdog do a regional only promotional campaign?
A: No. Jazzzdog does national radio campaigns only.
Q: Who does Jazzzdog service - and how many cd's do I need?
A: Jazzzdog services the entirety of the JazzWeek panel, Influential stations, satellite, internet, cable and syndicated providers on a weekly basis. Our current regular hard copy mailing list is around 100 (and downloads for absolutely everybody - over 250 contacts). If you need to save on mailing costs, we can service physical copies to a trimmed or custom list - and make copies available upon request. That way, you aren't missing anyone. We have had very successful campaigns with both strategies.
Q: What else do I need for a campaign?
A: Downloads in WAV and mp3 format, a one-sheet, cover art, album credits, and any other collateral you might like to share.
Q: Does Jazzzdog prepare weekly reports?
A: Absolutely! Clients get a weekly report via e-mail including a narrative of the week's activity and trends, airplay notes, chart activity if applicable, most-played tracks, and feedback.
Q: Will Jazzzdog do cd mailings for their clients?
A: We can, with at least a month’s notice, and cd’s in hand. If a client needs us to put the mailing together, figure in shipping supplies, media-rate postage, and a modest fee for labor and handling time. Ask for an estimate of current itemized costs. We keep costs as low as possible.
If the artist would like to do their own physical mailing. Jazzzdog will send you a batch of pre-addressed color Jazzzdog-logo 3x4” mailing labels at no additional cost to you. Just slap them on a mailer and send!
Q: How does Jazzzdog bill?
A: Jazzzdog bills for the complete payment the week before the "add date" at radio, when we’re in full swing. We can bill in two monthly installments if needed.