How to Start an Online Radio Station

Jenna has always been passionate about music. When she learns about online radio stations, she decides to start her own. As she doesn´t know where to start, she fires up her computer and googles “how to start an online radio station”. Do you like Jenna´s story? Then this article is for you!

Starting an online radio station can be a fun and easy way to start a business, promote your existing business, or get your music heard by a large audience. There are a few key things you’ll need to do in order to get started, and below we’ll outline each step for you. Let´s get right into it!

The Trend of Music Streaming

First some trend facts, that may help you get a better view of the market. Google keyword searches are a great way to discover trends because people don´t lie to Google. They must enter their true issue, to get an answer that helps them. So, let’s have a look at the trend of some keyword trends:

Audius – Audius is a music streaming app for iOS and Android. It features a large catalog of songs, as well as the ability to create and share playlists with your friends. The monthly search volume reached 5,400 and the 5-year growth is 1,833% [Source].

Artlist is a music and SFX licensing platform. The monthly search volume reached 18,100 and the 5-year growth is 431% [Source].

If you want to research keywords yourself, I highly recommend WirterZen. This is an amazing tool, that helps me in my daily business to find new traffic opportunities. This way, I also discovered the keyword “how to start an online radio station”, which lead you to my blog.

Market Facts about Online Radio

The market is huge and there is lots of opportunity for your online radio.

• The market size of online radio broadcasting in the US is $ 5 billion [IbisWorld].
• 72% monthly reach of online radio among US adults aged 35-54 [Statista]
• 974 mins weekly time spent with online audio US [Statista]

Step 1 Research the Market

A good starting point to research the market is checking out radio station directories and the websites of radio stations. Spy on the competition and analyze how they position in the market, how they make money, and how they succeed. Here are some links to check out:

Internet Radio

Discover 18,406 radio stations from all kinds of genres. Tip: You also see the number of live listeners and a ranking of the most popular genres.

Online Radio Box

Thousands of radio stations with programs, news, and music in a wide range of styles and trends. Search by country and genre and see the number of live listeners.

Radio.net

Directory with 30,000 radio stations worldwide.

Mi-Soul

Mi-Soul is a successful London-based online radio station. They are on top of the charts of internet-radio.com and have thousands of listeners. Their genres are soul, RnB, house, reggae, hip hop, dance, and soulful music. On their website, you can find a show schedule, playlists, events, a radio app, and traffic info. And they have an email newsletter you can sign up for.

BSJ

Best Smooth Jazz is a UK-based online radio with a strong fan community. On their website, you can send a voice message directly to Rod Lucas. And they sell merch like T-Shirts, Hoodies, and Aprons on their own BSJ store.

Smooth Radio 102.2

Smooth Radio is an example of hybrid radio, that broadcasts both, offline and online.

Step 2 Decide on a Topic or Genre

When it comes to choosing a genre for your online radio station, you have to consider your target audience and what kind of music they would enjoy. You also need to think about your own personal preferences and what type of music you want to play. It’s important to choose a genre that will be popular with your listeners and that you can consistently play music from.

Popular music genres are typically characterized by their harmonic and rhythmic content. Most popular music genres rely on the I-IV-V chord progression, and a swung or shuffle rhythm. While there are many exceptions to this rule, these harmonic and rhythmic elements are generally found in most popular music styles.

There are many popular music genres, but some of the most common include rock, pop, country, and hip-hop. Each genre has its own unique sound and style, and fans often develop strong opinions about which type of music they prefer. While there are many different elements that contribute to a genre’s sound, some of the most important include the instruments used, the songwriting style, and the vocals.

Here is a list of music genres, that are – according to the charts of InternetRadio – most popular:

• Smooth Jazz
• Classic Rock
• Easy Listening
• Blues
• Jazz
• 80s
• Dance
• Rock
• Classical
• Country
• House
• Ambient
• Oldies
• Top40
• Lounge
• 80s
• Chillout
• Trance
• Techno
• Reggae
• Greek
• Pop
• Metal
• Deep House
• Funk
• Drum and Bass
• Hip Hop
• Instrumental
• Heavy Metal
• 90s

Step 3 Prepare Music and Licensing

In order to prepare licensed music for a radio show, one must first attain the necessary licenses from the copyright holders. This can be done either directly through the copyright holders or through a third-party licensing agency. Once the licenses have been obtained, the music can be cleared for use on the radio show. This process usually involves submitting a cue sheet detailing the specific songs that will be used and when they will be played. Here are some Music Licencing Links:

• FMA Free Music Archive
• Jamendo
• Royal Free Music Radio
• Audio Library on Youtube
• Pandora
• HookSounds
• Soundcloud
• Epidemic Sound
• ccmixter
• Radio Exclusive

Step 4 Find a Name and a Domain for Your Online Radio Station

There are a few ways to find a name for your online radio station. One way is to brainstorm with a group and come up with a list of possibilities. Once you have a list, you can then research each name to see if it is available. If it is not available, you can then choose another name from the list. Another way to find a name for your online radio station is to come up with a name that represents what you want your station to be about.

Or you can give my business name generator a try. The name of your radio should also be available as a domain, preferably as a .com domain.

Step 5 Funding and Monetization of Your Internet Radio

A radio station can be monetized in a number of ways. Ads can be sold, sponsorships can be negotiated, and donations can be accepted. You could also promote affiliate offers on your website. Finally, you can run your own store and sell merch or other products. Links to monetize your online radio:

• Google Ad Sense – Tip: Check out the online revenue calculator!
• Printful
• SPOD
• Printify
• PayPal Donation Button

Step 6 Build a Financial Plan for Your Online Radio

As an online radio station, you will need to have a financial plan in place in order to stay afloat. There are many expenses that come with running an online radio station, such as hosting fees, music licensing fees, and marketing costs. You’ll also need to factor in taxes and other operating expenses. Before beginning your financial planning, make sure to estimate your monthly expenses and income. These are the steps to create a financial plan for your internet radio:

• Choose a business model (how will you make money? Ads, sponsoring, store)
• Create your budget (how much money will you need to start and run the radio?)
• Figure out your costs (what are the monthly costs for personnel, licensing, hosting, marketing, etc?)
• Set your rates (how much are you charging to customers, sponsors, etc?)
• Market your station (how will you promote your radio?)
• Analyze your results

Step 7 Get Hosting for Your Website

Hosting is a service that allows organizations and individuals to make their website available on the internet. A hosting provider, also known as a web host, is a business that provides the technologies and services needed for website owners to make their site available online. Hosting providers offer a variety of services, including domain name registration, web hosting, email hosting, and more.

WordPress is a popular content management system that can be used for your website. It is free and open-source software released under the GPL. WordPress is used by millions of people around the world, including many large organizations, such as The Guardian, Forbes, and The New York Times.

There are many hosting providers that offer WordPress hosting. Bluehost is one of the largest providers and they offer a free domain name when you sign up for a yearlong hosting plan. They also have a money-back guarantee if you’re not satisfied with their service. I personally use this provider and this website also runs on a Bluehost account.

What I like most with Bluehost, are the extremely low cost, the super-fast speed of my website and the user-friendly interface to set up and manage my websites.

WordPress Plugins for Internet Radios

• Radio Station
• Radio Player – Live Shoutcast, Icecast and Audio Stream Player
• MP3 Audio Player for Music, Radio & Podcast
• WP Radio

Step 8 Set up Your Website

After you got your hosting package, install WordPress on your account. With Bluehost, this is just a click on a button. Then you can change the theme. A WordPress website’s theme is the design or layout of its pages. Themes can be customized to change the fonts, colors, and page layouts of a website. They can also include features like menus and widgets.

I recommend using a theme, that is based on Gutenberg blocks, which will make your website faster. Having a fast website is essential. If your site needs longer than 2 or 3 seconds to load, you will lose lots of visitors. So, a fast website can directly increase your web traffic and your income. I personally love and recommend the theme GeneratePress and I also use it for this website. You get a complete library with different site layouts and its lightweight code helps to reduce loading time.

Step 9 Software to Broadcast Your Audio Program

To stream your audio live, you need to upload it to a server. Here are some products and services to consider:

• Icecast is a free server software for streaming multimedia.
• RadioDJ is one of the most advanced radio automation software available for free.
• MIXXX is a free and open-source DJ software for Windows, macOS, and Linux.
• butt (broadcast using this tool) is an easy-to-use, multi-OS streaming tool, that can stream live, but it is not able to stream audio files of any kind.
• Radio.co is a platform to broadcast live.
• Shoutcast offers tools for premium broadcasting.
• Live365 is a complete solution for online broadcasting.

Step 10 Create content

Creating a radio show can be an incredibly rewarding experience, but it can also be a lot of work. Here are a few tips to help you get started:

1. Choose your format. Are you going to do an interview show? A music show? Talk show? There are many different options, so choose the one that best suits your interests and talents.

2. Create a playlist. This is especially important if you’re doing a music show. Make sure to include a variety of genres and styles to keep your listeners engaged.

3. Get familiar with the software. If you’re using digital tools to create your show, make sure you take the time to learn how they work before your first broadcast. This will help ensure that everything goes smoothly on air.

Step 11 Promote Your Show

Creating a website and email blast are two key methods for promoting a radio show. A website can include information about the show, such as the hosts, air times, and topics covered. It can also include audio or video clips of past shows, to give potential listeners a taste of what they would be hearing. An email blast is a great way to reach out to people who have shown an interest in the show in the past, or who might be interested in the topics covered. It can include a link to the show’s website, as well as information about how to listen online or on-air.

Conclusion

In conclusion, starting an online radio station is a great way to share your love of music with the world. It can also be a great way to promote your business or organization. By following the tips in this article, you can create a successful online radio station that will entertain and engage your listeners.

FAQs

What is internet radio?

An online radio station or internet radio is a service that allows users to listen to radio broadcasts over the Internet. These stations can be accessed from any computer with an Internet connection, and many allow users to create custom playlists of their favorite songs. Some also offer live streaming of concerts and other events. You can also find many different types of music on internet radio, as well as talk shows and other content. There are also many different ways to access internet radio, including through websites, apps, and devices like smart TVs.

How does online radio work?

Online radio stations work much like traditional radio stations, but they can be accessed through the Internet. Broadcasters use streaming audio technology to transmit their signal over the web, and listeners can tune in by using a web browser or a specialized media player. Some online radio stations allow listeners to interact with the broadcast by voting for songs, chatting with other listeners, or participating in contests.

Comparison of Offline Radio vs Online Radio

Radio has been around since the early 1920s, and it’s still going strong today. There are two main types of radio: offline and online. Offline radio is the traditional type of radio where you tune in to a specific station and listen to the broadcast. Online radio, also known as streaming radio, is a newer type of radio that allows you to listen to a wide variety of stations from all over the world.

Benefits of Running an Online Radio Station

There are many benefits of having an online radio station. One of the most obvious benefits is that it can help you reach a wider audience. With an online radio station, you can potentially reach people all over the world who might not have otherwise heard about your business or organization. Additionally, having an online radio station can help you build a stronger connection with your audience. By creating compelling content and programming, you can create a sense of loyalty and engagement with your listeners that can help to grow your business or organization. Additionally, online radio stations can be a great way to promote events, products, or services. By airing promotional announcements and interviews with key individuals involved in your events, products, or services, you can generate interest in what you have to offer and increase sales or donations. Finally, online radio stations can be a fun and engaging way to connect with your audience on a personal level.

Pros of Online Radio Stations

There are a number of pros to online radio stations:

• First, they allow users to listen to their favorite music without having to purchase and download individual songs or albums.
• They often offer a wider variety of music than traditional radio stations, giving listeners the opportunity to explore new genres and artists.
• They’re convenient – users can listen to them anywhere there’s an internet connection.
• They allow listeners to interact with the DJs and other listeners.
• Online radio stations can be personalized to fit the listener’s specific interests.
• They offer opportunities for new and independent artists to get their music heard.

Cons of Online Radio Stations

The disadvantages of online radio stations are that they can be unreliable, they can be difficult to use, and they can be distracting. First, online radio stations can be unreliable because the signal can fade in and out or the connection can drop altogether. Second, online radio stations can be difficult to use because not all of them have a user-friendly interface. Third, online radio stations can be repetitive and unoriginal, since the same songs are often played over and over again.

Pros of Offline Radio

There was a time when the only way to listen to music was by turning on the radio. While technology has advanced and there are now a number of ways to listen to music, many people still find value in tuning in to their local FM station. Here are three benefits of listening to offline radio:

• It’s free: There’s no need to pay for a subscription or download any songs; you can simply turn on your radio and start listening.
• You can listen anywhere: Radio is available both online and offline, so you can listen wherever you are, whether you’re at home, in the car, or out running errands.
• You can hear new music: Radio stations play a variety of music, so you’re likely to hear something new even if you mostly listen to the same station all the time.

Cons of Offline Radio

Offline radio stations have a number of disadvantages when compared to online streaming services.

• Offline stations typically offer a more limited selection of music than their online counterparts.
• Users cannot access offline stations’ content from anywhere they happen to be – they must be in the vicinity of the station itself in order to listen.
• Many users find that the sound quality of offline radio stations is inferior to that of streaming services.
• They can be expensive to operate, due to the cost of transmitting and broadcasting signals.
• They are not as interactive as online stations, which can limit listener engagement.
• They can be less up-to-date than online stations since they typically rely on taped or live broadcasts.