How to Pitch Music to Radio Presenters and DJs
Pitch the right shows, not every station. Send a short, personal note with the song, the story, broadcast-ready files and accurate credits, follow up once and build relationships over time.
To pitch music to radio presenters and DJs, target the shows and presenters whose audiences would enjoy the song, send a short personal note with the story and a broadcast-ready file, include accurate credits and contact details, follow up once and build the relationship over time. Presenters receive a great deal of music; the pitches that succeed are relevant, professional and easy to act on.
For artists and managers in Ghana, radio remains one of the most important routes to listeners, particularly for genres and audiences that rely less on streaming.
Target shows, not just stations
Each station has programmes with different formats and audiences. A drive-time show, a gospel programme, a late-night jazz hour and a hip-hop show need different music. Listen to the shows you plan to pitch and note what they play. Build a list of presenters, producers and DJs; see how to build a media list for Ghanaian outlets.
Prepare the music properly
Provide:
- A high-quality audio file in the format the station uses, clearly named with artist and title
- A clean or radio edit where needed
- Accurate credits, including writers, producers and featured artists
- Release date and streaming links
- A short artist biography; see how to write an artist biography
Write a short, personal note
Explain in a few lines who the artist is, what the song is, why it suits this show and any story behind it. Mention a relevant detail about the show that shows you listen. Avoid mass messages.
Offer more than the song
Presenters may be interested in interviews, studio performances or exclusive premieres. Offer what the artist can genuinely deliver, and prepare them for interviews. See how to prepare a spokesperson for a media interview.
Time it well
Pitch ahead of the release date so presenters can plan. For songs tied to seasons or events, pitch with enough notice.
Follow up once
If there is no response, a single polite follow-up is reasonable. Repeated messages damage relationships.
Thank presenters who play the song
When a song is played, thank the presenter and share the moment on the artist's channels. Relationships built over time make future pitches more welcome.
Understand what you cannot control
Airplay decisions belong to presenters and stations. Avoid any arrangement that would compromise the station's editorial independence or breach broadcasting rules. A credible plan focuses on relevant opportunities, not guaranteed spins.
Connect radio to the wider campaign
Radio works best alongside streaming, social media, live performance and press. See how to plan a music release campaign in Ghana and how to plan a radio campaign people remember for the advertising side of radio.
Our work on Juma Mufasa's Maame Water included storytelling and playlist pitching. For the wider picture, see our complete guide to entertainment marketing in Ghana.
PR369's Representation and Talent PR service covers media relations and publicity for artists. Email info@pr369.com with the song, the artist and the release date. We will begin with a strategy conversation.
