Questions on managing stations by Richard Scotti on The Pipeline at IndieMusicPeople

Questions on managing stations

I'd like to hear from station managers as to how they decide the number of songs on their stations and how do they decide if or when to delete songs that have been posted a long time ago. I notice that some managers have like a Station 1 and a Station 2 of the same theme. What criteria do you use when selecting a song for a station?

Any station managing tips would be appreciated. Do you tend to stick within certain parameters of theme or genre or just whatever grabs you? How many songs is "too many" for one station. Some managers always write comments about the songs, some do not. How do you decide to write a blurb or not? I've been seeing an increased amount of non-blurbing lately.

In any case, I want to thank all the station managers who contribute their time and energy to this site. It's a vital part of the scene here. Keep up the good work! I will try my best to finish my new songs asap and make them worthy of your consideration. Thank you to the managers - both anon and known who have been so supportive of my work over the years. You all know who you are!

Although I only have two stations, Instrumentally Yours and Under the Covers, Instrumentally Yours is presently #1 in Guitar instrumentals. Thank you to all the listeners for that! Under The Covers has struggled from a lack of interest on the part of members as far as covering songs of fellow members. It seemed like a good idea at the time but it just didn't catch on. I've expanded it to include IMP member collaborations but the station is on life support at the moment and I may decide to pull the plug, I'd like to start a new station or two eventually but right now I'm too busy with other projects.

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Desperado Revue

9/5/2018 3:31:40 PM

Well Richard, glad you asked.

I've been waiting for someone to ask.

Give me a week or less to think this through and you'll have a good read here.
I'll try to cover each of your queries and more

Norm

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Richard Scotti

9/5/2018 7:08:28 PM

I look forward to it, Norm.

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Chandra Moon

9/6/2018 9:17:07 AM

My Over The Moon Station is huge though I do have a second station where I move tracks to make room for new ones but that's pretty big too haha!

Every time I go to make it a shorter track list I feel bad pulling tracks down that I like but it's so big now I think I should limit it and change them more often!

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9/6/2018 9:34:31 AM

btw if any of you folks who have been with us for awhile hit the limit on how many stations you can start, just write me at indiemusicpeople2@gmail.com and i'll crank up your account so you can start more.

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Psyche's Muse

9/6/2018 12:17:04 PM

I try to always stick with the "theme" or premise of/for my stations... and NEVER delete any songs. They are my "collection" and have in a way become a type of "genre" for me, sometimes they are "style" based but most times they are "theme" based. I did not know there was a limit on the number of my stations though. As for the "writ" part... well I used to ALWAYS say "something"... now that seems to depend upon what mood I am in at that particular moment in time... has something to do with my "aging" I'd guess. =M=

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Desperado Revue

9/8/2018 4:36:32 PM

OK Richard, here we go.

First, a little background on how I came to join this big family at IMP.

In 2016, I was part of a push within a FB band fan group to create stations here at IMP and play the hell out of their songs. It served it's purpose as all of their songs charted in the top 25 here at IMP and winning a Golden Kayak for one of their tracks. After that I totally forgot about the station and never gave it a second thought. In October 2017, I remember being bored one day and the thought of that station came back. so I looked it up along with exploring the IMP site. It quickly became evident that I could to something more with this and that it would not be about the ' MonaLisa Twins " only. For me, that became the moment where I really became involved here at IMP.

A typical day at " Desperado Revue " starts between 5 & 6 AM when I randomize the track listing and set up the featured artist and ends at 8 PM when I post the Desperado Mini Pack
In between, I monitor the IMP front page, listen to all new tracks, add tracks, move tracks. create stations and anything else related to IMP.

First off, I decided from the beginning that I would never remove a track. This is where multiple stations kick in. I move tracks to different stations to lighten the load on other stations.

Second, I decided from the beginning that I would randomize the track lists on a daily basis. This creates movement within the stations so that you are not presented with the same ordered track list everyday. And that is what I do, MOVE TRACKS.

CAUTION: this thing that I do about RANDOMIZING the track lists is not recommended for station managers who write comments of blurbs as the COMMENTS DO NOT TRAVEL WELL in the shuffle.

Choosing Tracks: If has become obvious that I choose and add most every track that shows up at IMP. Again, this is where multiple stations kick in. The only tracks I will not touch are the ones where the quality of the vocal track is very, very terrible.

Size of and Creating new stations: I tend to try and keep my stations in the 250 tracks range. Again, this is where multiple stations kick in and randomizing works for me. As far as new stations, smaller works well. I have 2 of those, the 30 Special and the Mini Pack and I listen to them on a regular basis.

I'll leave at that for now, however I will reply to any other queries that pop up on this post.

Have a great IMP day and enjoy your stations.

Norm

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Bryon Tosoff

9/8/2018 5:42:24 PM

Norm, thank you for your thoughts and back story ,interesting. We appreciate your enthusiasm, drive and dedication here, I am sure many could follow in your footsteps and keep the flow of song adds going and devote some time on a regular basis and give IMP a boost of support and interest and become good listeners and even offer some one line comments about peoples songs. I must say you do one hell of a job. You have a great routine incorporated into your approach here, one that is effective and appreciate by many artists, including myself. For sure many more people could jump in here at IMP and become passionate and dedicated station managers as you are. Thanks for all you do. Bryon

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Paul groover

9/10/2018 9:59:36 PM

I have never deleted a song from any of my stations. If you were good enough then you are good enough now. I never randomise them either. I use the top part for showcasing new artists and songs i like. They naturally slide down the list as i add new songs. Some of my stations go back 10 years. I see it as a trip down memory lane.

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