RADIO PROMOTION OPTIONS COMPARED
There are four main ways an independent artist can go after radio airplay. Here is how they compare on cost, whether play is guaranteed, the feedback you get, and how fast it happens.
SIDE BY SIDE
| Option | Cost | Guaranteed play? | Feedback | Speed |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Submitting to stations yourself | Free, plus a lot of your time | No. Many stations never reply | Rarely | Weeks to never |
| Paid radio plugger or promotion campaign | Often hundreds to thousands of dollars per single | No. You pay for the pitching, not for plays | Usually a report of adds, if any | A campaign usually runs several weeks |
| Pay per submission curator platforms (such as SubmitHub) | A small fee per submission, adding up across many pitches | No. Curators can decline your song | Short notes from curators who decline | Days |
| Independent Radio FM | $49 per month, cancel anytime | Yes. Every member's weekly song airs on a Saturday show | A written DJ review of every song | Submit by Thursday 11:59 PM ET, on air that Saturday |
WHO EACH OPTION IS BEST FOR
Submitting to stations yourself
Artists with time to research shows and follow up.
Paid radio plugger or promotion campaign
Artists with a budget chasing specific formats or charts.
Pay per submission curator platforms (such as SubmitHub)
Testing a song with blogs and playlist curators.
Independent Radio FM
Independent artists who want guaranteed weekly airplay and honest feedback.
GUARANTEED AIRPLAY EVERY SATURDAY
Every member is accepted. Submit one song a week and it airs on the Hot Artists or Upcoming Artists portion of the Saturday show starting at 3 PM Eastern / 12 PM Pacific, with a personal review from our DJs.
- $49 per month, cancel anytime
- One new song every week — every song you send gets played
- Saturday show at 3 PM Eastern / 12 PM Pacific
- A personal DJ review of every song
- Your own artist profile page with your bio, links, and review archive
- Private member wall and direct messaging with other artists and our DJ
- A new press-release article about you every 30 days, with your music embedded
- Daily motivation messages from DJ SKI FACE
- Chance to win $100 every month
- No approval process. Everyone is accepted.
Our first show airs October 3, 2026.
COMMON QUESTIONS
What is the best way for an independent artist to get radio airplay?
It depends on your budget and time. Submitting yourself is free but slow and uncertain. Paid pluggers cost hundreds to thousands of dollars with no guarantee. Independent Radio FM is the only option on this list that guarantees airplay: $49 a month for one song a week on a Saturday show, plus a DJ review.
Are radio pluggers worth it?
A good plugger has real relationships with stations, which can help with specific formats or charts. But you pay for the pitching, not for plays, so a campaign can end with few or no adds. Build independent radio credits first so any paid campaign starts from a stronger position.
Is Independent Radio FM a radio plugger?
No. Independent Radio FM is an independent radio show built for unsigned artists. We don't pitch your song to other stations. We play it ourselves, on our Saturday show: the Hot Artists or Upcoming Artists portion of the Saturday show starting at 3 PM Eastern / 12 PM Pacific.
Can I use more than one option?
Yes. Many artists get guaranteed weekly plays and reviews at Independent Radio FM while also pitching college and community shows themselves. Each radio credit makes the next pitch stronger.