The Internet has changed the way we live in more ways than we can imagine. We can now talk to people on the other side of the world in real-time and even with a visual link from a small hand-held device. Such possibilities were in the realms of science fiction until just a few decades ago.
One use of the Internet that is growing in popularity is radio. There are many Internet radio stations and more appearing over time. Some are professional outfits associated with established broadcasters, but many are amateur radio stations that are fun for ordinary people.
What do you need to set up your Internet radio station? In short, you need a good broadband connection, a basic idea, and some simple and inexpensive equipment. That’s what a basic Internet radio station needs, so how do you go about setting yours up? That’s what we’re here to talk about, so let’s not hang around.
Decide on Your Concept
An Internet radio station can take many forms. You may want to run a talk radio station with interviews or discussions, or if you are appealing to those who enjoy music with Internet radio, then you can go down that route. Or you can combine the two. The first thing to do is think about your concept, so here are some questions to ask yourself:
- Who will be contributing to the station?
- Are we inviting guests for an interview?
- Who is our desired audience – age, demographic, location, etc.?
- How often will we broadcast?
- Is there a niche that we can fill?
In other words, decide in advance what you are setting up an Internet radio station for. You might want to include a regular local news slot, or weather, or even local traffic problems.
One thing you need to do is remain in line with copyright laws. Music and other media will be licensed to the author, so you may need to pay a fee to a particular organization to be permitted to play published music. One idea that seems to be growing in popularity is showcasing unsigned bands, which means you don’t have to pay royalties. It’s also a great way of getting original content on your station.
Create Your Brand
Next, you need to come up with a great brand name for your station. This can be anything you want, but usually, the station owners choose locally relevant or relevant to the type of broadcasting you will be indulging in. For example, if you are specifically playing only ‘80’s music, put that in your brand. Likewise, if you are a talk station, let people know. You can use the branding to build the popularity of your station.
Research Broadcasting Software
Now we come to the important bit. Software packages that enable Internet radio broadcasts are plentiful. This is mainly because it is a medium that is growing in popularity all the time. People are coming around to the fact that it is simple to set up a station. These software packages offer a variety of functions, and we strongly recommend you set aside some time to research the options and find the one within your budget. Run a search now, and you’ll find the most popular packages, and you can start reading upon them.
Make Sure You Have the Right Equipment
Many people enjoy radio over the Internet as it is a simple and effective method of broadcasting. But surely you need a lot of equipment? The beauty of the Internet is that it is there, you are already connected to it, and it is universal. You can buy a simple plugin and play a microphone and simply use that. However, we do recommend you look at the equipment that gives you more scope.
You can buy a variety of equipment that will help you broadcast in quality. For example, a mixing desk will allow you to use multiple input sources and increase your capability greatly. You don’t need anything sophisticated, and you can buy an 8-input mixer for under $100. If your budget is greater, you can invest in a better one.
In summary, all you need to start is the software where you register a station, a microphone, and a headset, and that’s it!
Grow Your Internet Radio Station
Now that you’re all set up and ready to go, you need to publicize your Internet radio station. Use your social media, blogs, and a simple website and get friends, family, and colleagues to like and share. You may be surprised how quickly a radio station becomes popular, especially if you have targeted the right audience.
We hope this article has helped, so enjoy setting up your station and broadcasting.
